Two-year-old who doesn't talk...

[rosesandravens]

Okay, I wasn't really sure where to put this, as it's not technically parenting, nor a definable medical issue...

Anyway. My baby cousin is 25 months old and, well, she doesn't talk. She can talk, because she says a few words (maybe... six?). It is fairly uncharacteristic for my family - I know my sister and I were both saying fairly sophisticated sentences by that stage (then again, we are both advanced with that sort of thing... not to brag). Furthermore, it's not as though she has trouble understanding what we're saying. For example, if my aunt is in another room and I offer my cousin an object and say "Go give this to Mummy," she'll take it from me and find my aunt. I'm just a little curious as to why it's taking so long for her to talk and perhaps a little worried, too.

My mother thinks it's because she's an only child of older parents and thus a bit spoiled, so doesn't really need to talk yet. If she points, she usually gets, heheh. Still, I'd have thought she wants to express herself more by now...

I'm just being the paranoid, overly-concerned cousin who's never seen a baby in the family before (there's only a gap of 16 months between my younger sister and I), aren't I?

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

I think it's less paranoya and more over-concern.

But I don't have kids. I have a niece who didn't talk much at 2, she's 5 now and talks all the time, but I was a little worried back then too.

There's a perenting section on the board somewhere, you may get some better advice out of them.

 

[CelticRose]

Unless she seems backward in other areas I would stop worrying. Every child moves through developmental stages differently & at their own pace. Some just take longer than others. Some have personality quirks, or the sort of quieter temperment that doesn't feel the need to talk. It can indicate a particularly bright child. If she understands what is said my bet would be that she is more than o.k. just doing things her own way - & don't we all like to do that.

 

[icbeckyc]

I have 2 daughters and when my first was 2 she was talking very clear and complex sentences. When my youngest was two she spoke very little and it was not clear. As amatter of fact she wasn't completely clear till 5. But there wasn't anything wrong, we were just bad at getting what she pointed at. Also she likes being the baby and still at 12.5 would love to be babyed. If she is understanding what is being told then she is probably ok.

 

[twrekx]

I would not worry too much, but I would monitor her a bit. I would also kind of force her to talk, like if she just points at something she wants make her ask for it. I would get more conserned if it continues after 2 1/2 almost 3.

 

[jsimms615]

Okay, I wasn't really sure where to put this, as it's not technically parenting, nor a definable medical issue...

Anyway. My baby cousin is 25 months old and, well, she doesn't talk. She can talk, because she says a few words (maybe... six?). It is fairly uncharacteristic for my family - I know my sister and I were both saying fairly sophisticated sentences by that stage (then again, we are both advanced with that sort of thing... not to brag). Furthermore, it's not as though she has trouble understanding what we're saying. For example, if my aunt is in another room and I offer my cousin an object and say "Go give this to Mummy," she'll take it from me and find my aunt. I'm just a little curious as to why it's taking so long for her to talk and perhaps a little worried, too.

My mother thinks it's because she's an only child of older parents and thus a bit spoiled, so doesn't really need to talk yet. If she points, she usually gets, heheh. Still, I'd have thought she wants to express herself more by now...

I'm just being the paranoid, overly-concerned cousin who's never seen a baby in the family before (there's only a gap of 16 months between my younger sister and I), aren't I?

I wonder if her hearing is affected in any way? She might hear some sounds, but not well enough to imitate. I would definitely get her hearing checked and maybe a consultation with a doctor.
Mine were both talking alot at two and haven't shut up since.
J

 

[GolfingMom]

My nephew didn't begin talking till he was 3.5 and he had no obstacles in his way. His parents didn't get him what he wanted...he just chose not to speak. Now - he is almost 10 and speaks better than most teenagers!
My first born had complete sentences by 1 year. He was so advanced - my pediatrician was surprised! My second born chose not to speak until he was nearly two.

 

[RoseofLima]

Again- I wouldn't worry. As long as she can say some words and that it is a sure thing that she can hear. My kids don't talk much until after 2....and then they don't ever stop

 

[GolfingMom]

Again- I wouldn't worry. As long as she can say some words and that it is a sure thing that she can hear. My kids don't talk much until after 2....and then they don't ever stop

Isn't that the truth!!!!


bolding and size increase is mine...

 

[£amb]

Okay, I wasn't really sure where to put this, as it's not technically parenting, nor a definable medical issue...

Anyway. My baby cousin is 25 months old and, well, she doesn't talk. She can talk, because she says a few words (maybe... six?). It is fairly uncharacteristic for my family - I know my sister and I were both saying fairly sophisticated sentences by that stage (then again, we are both advanced with that sort of thing... not to brag). Furthermore, it's not as though she has trouble understanding what we're saying. For example, if my aunt is in another room and I offer my cousin an object and say "Go give this to Mummy," she'll take it from me and find my aunt. I'm just a little curious as to why it's taking so long for her to talk and perhaps a little worried, too.

My mother thinks it's because she's an only child of older parents and thus a bit spoiled, so doesn't really need to talk yet. If she points, she usually gets, heheh. Still, I'd have thought she wants to express herself more by now...

I'm just being the paranoid, overly-concerned cousin who's never seen a baby in the family before (there's only a gap of 16 months between my younger sister and I), aren't I?

All children develop differently. My oldest starting speaking at 12 months and hasn't shut up yet. My youngest didn't start saying words until he was close to 2 years old. He has no problem speaking now.

Some speak early and some take alittle longer. We can't compare children to what is considered "normal". I would be more concerned if the child was not responding or understanding what you're saying.

Give it time. It doesn't sound like anything to worried about at this point.

I worked in a Preschool for 8 years, and saw this all the time. Some spoke or couldn't speak correctly. In time that figured it out and improved. I had one child who would'nt respond when spoken to and couldn't speak. I was concerned and figured it was a hearing problem. Sure enough, a couple years down the road, the mother took him to the specialist and he was partially death.

Your neice responds to you and understands what you're saying, so it doesn't sound like she has a hearing problem. What I did in Preschool, and it worked was to encourage them to talk. It will take time. If the child points at something and grunts for it, I would make them say what they wanted before I gave it to them. There would be definate resistance and possibly tears, but they soon learned to say what they wanted. Usually in whispers, but it got them to speak.

 

[Athaliamum]

I will say I completely disagree with pretty much everyone's comments.

Yes children do develop at different rates but there are cut off times where if development is stunted help should be sought. I do think by two there it enough delay to worry - she absolutly should be saying more then 6 words.

For information: I've been down that road of "should I worry, shouldn't I worry". As it turned out my daughter has cerebral palsy which does effect her speech, she's 20 months can't walk on her own and hardly says much although she is vocal - just not much understandable.

I would suggest taking your niece (with mum of course) to her GP and get a pediatric referal. She should be talking more then that, if she's not she needs to get checked out so that if there is any problems she can get the help she needs. Trust your gut, if you think there might be something wrong look into it. It doesn't matter if she is an only child, it wouldn't effect her development that much - but it does effect a parents judgement because they have nothing to compare them to.

I noticed that you are also from oz, so those things are all covered under medicare and if there is anything wrong they will most likely refer her to the CDU (child development unit) of the pediatric hospital in your area. They'll would most likely get her a speech therapist that will be able to help her along with her speaking. I think you really should get it checked out.

 

[thankful4god]

Hello, My son is now 26mo but only really started talking a lot more in the last 3 months. One reason I think is because he likes parroting his older sister. Sometimes he won't talk for me at all. I find it useful to take time to read to him every day. Maybe you could try to introduce a new word each day for him to pick up on by mentioning it several times in normal conversation throughout the day. My son seems to have started talking later than his sister but I've realised they are different little people with different rates of progression. All the best -

 

[conorsdad]

My son was 2 when he said his first word. He's now 4 and speaks just fine. I think it was just a case of that he didn't want to talk at the time. He's an only child, so the lack of being around other children probably contributed. Also, being that he was the only child and had our full attention, and we were able to interpret his pointing and grunts, he probably felt no need to talk since we understood his needs without him putting them into words. Once he started preschool, his speech improved by leaps and bounds.

 

[mumluvsherboys]

Okay, I wasn't really sure where to put this, as it's not technically parenting, nor a definable medical issue...

Anyway. My baby cousin is 25 months old and, well, she doesn't talk. She can talk, because she says a few words (maybe... six?). It is fairly uncharacteristic for my family - I know my sister and I were both saying fairly sophisticated sentences by that stage (then again, we are both advanced with that sort of thing... not to brag). Furthermore, it's not as though she has trouble understanding what we're saying. For example, if my aunt is in another room and I offer my cousin an object and say "Go give this to Mummy," she'll take it from me and find my aunt. I'm just a little curious as to why it's taking so long for her to talk and perhaps a little worried, too.

My mother thinks it's because she's an only child of older parents and thus a bit spoiled, so doesn't really need to talk yet. If she points, she usually gets, heheh. Still, I'd have thought she wants to express herself more by now...

I'm just being the paranoid, overly-concerned cousin who's never seen a baby in the family before (there's only a gap of 16 months between my younger sister and I), aren't I?

Hi how are you, I used to have a day home and I had a 3 year old girl that barely said 6 words, she was also spoiled and didn't have to. She learned more when she was with me, if she is around older kids, she will pick up on it faster. Don't worry, this is normal. She is still very young. Have a lovley day! God bless.