He wont talk

[daydream**believer]

My 2.5 year old wont talk.

He says Mum and Dad and thats it.

Hes not deaf. I know that because he hears and understands everything we say.

Next week we have an appointment at Child Development Clinic.

Anyone else have this issue with their little ones?

[toon_town_nutter]

Are there any issues with his tongue? My son's tongue was joined pretty much to his gum line and they told me so long as he could suck properly they wouldn't do anything about it, he had to have speech therapy though. And one child I know had very intensive speech therapy has a very very thick tongue and likely can't move it very much. 

[cherry*135]

As Countessa said.. do the older siblings predict what he wants etc so he doesn't have to talk when he wants something?

I have known 1 child whose 2 siblings were quite a bit older, who adored their little sister and she would just point when she wanted something and never talked herself till about 3 (parents did take her to Dr's and they said same after checking her out.. she didn't need to talk, got what she wanted.

Another child was first born, born very prematurely and parents treated him very special.. also usually just one parent at home (one working shifts) so not much conversation around for the little one to listen too.. although his parents did always chat to him.

He never spoke much till he was about 3 also, then he was a non stop chatter box and parents said 'Why were we so eager for him to talk'

[daydream**believer]

i cant see an issue with his tongue, but he couldnt latch on to breastfeed, so maybe he has a tongue problem

[izabsmiling]

Hi Amy, he could just be a late starter .He is still quite young.

2 of my 3 sons had speech difficulites.One  was diagnosed with dyspraxia after testing requested by his kindergarten teacher .He, my middle son took a bit longer and  other therapy was involved .For him we needed to learn some basic makaton sign language while working on his speech  .

my youngest only needed some speech therapy to improve/build up his speech .

[cherry*135]

I posted that before I read your commment about older siblings.

It is wise to take your son at his age to the Dr, which may rule out any medical reasons why your son doesn't talk a lot yet.

[daydream**believer]

im hoping in just worrying myself over nothing.

But it does help to hear others have had late talkers.

It jusy that everyone always says "Does he talk much?" and i say "No" and they are shocked

[daydream**believer]

weve seen the GP. He couldnt see any problems and has referred us to the place we are going on Wednesday

[cherry*135]

If he wants something like a drink and points to it to get your attention to what he wants, can you try asking him to have a go at saying drink/juice/water  before giving it to him?

[annies_fancy_dress]

My younger brother didn't talk until he was over three, then he had to learn to sing to get him to form his words properly. No big deal, some kiddies are late talkers, I was 4 years older and had another brother 1.5 years older than me.

Mum said we kind of talked for him, so he didn't bother.

[izabsmiling]

DDB, has he had regular assessments at the maternal child health clinic ? There is one due at 18 months isn't there ? How did they go ? The Maternal Child Health Nurses are very good at letting you know if there may be a concern .

Glad to know that you are having it checked .Just doing that may reassure you 

ps..all 3 of my sons had ear probs (grommets) ..they heard OK ...My brother had the some problem when he was about 6..he didn't hear very well and his speech was slower to sound as it should