Not Talking Yet...

Jenni - posted on 12/29/2009

Mine is taking a while too if that helps to know that someone else is having the same exact thing going on. :)

Christi - posted on 12/29/2009

My little man, Frankie, turned 2 on Dec. 5, 2009 and he is saying 2 words! "da-da" and "choo choo"....very rarely does he even say "ma ma"! I was worried also. My doctor wants him to go to a speech "consultation" and I didn't go because my husband thinks he doesn't have a "problem" just a "late" talker. So...I guess I'll wait a while after reading all these posts...sounds like there's a lot of 2 yr old's not talking yet. Have a good one!

Georgette - posted on 12/28/2009

My boy turned 2 today and he's not talking as much as I think he should be. I will be talking to my Dr. about it at our appointment tomorrow. But something I've been trying to do in the last few months is saying the names of all the things I point out to him. Repeating words continually until I get him to say something that resembles what I'm saying. It's a very slow progress but I have noticed slight improvements in the last 2 weeks or so. My advice keep talking and reading to her.

Jen - posted on 12/22/2009

Quoting Beth:

Hey Jen,

I know I am not Naomi, but I wanted to throw out my personal experience and opinion. It is just an opinion. I am in no way medically trained. I have, however, gone through giving birth to 3 boys (now coming up on 11, 7, and 2 in a week).

First off let me ask you a question... has anything else changed with your daughter? Meaning, do you see regression in any other forms such as babbling more instead of talking, or not having as much coordination as before? If yes, than I would suggest talking to your doctor. There might just be something medically going on worthy of a quick call.

Has she recently been sick with a cold, sore throat or ear infection? If yes, than this might have impacted her desire to use her voice.

But all of that comes up as a "no" meaning she hasn't been sick (especially with an ear infection) and everything else is developmentally the same or she's even progressing in her development with other words or skills, than talking to your doctor at the next visit but I wouldn't (personally) be alarmed.

You don't mention how old your daughter is, but without knowing I would venture to guess around the 2 year old mark. At this age they tend to be focusing more on repeating the sounds and words they hear often. Some days you'll get more than other days. If you use the word when she puts her hands in the air she is more likely to continue to use that when she wants up but only if she doesn't get what she needs from you without using them. Okay, so she says "uppies" and then you repeat her words and pick her up. If she just walks up to you with her arms in the air and you just pick her up without the need for saying or hearing "uppies" she will not feel the need to continue to use the words because she is getting what she wants and she is not hearing you using the words.

My two oldest children went in and out of using words during their development. Even now I'll hear them use a word repeatedly for a period of time and then just stop using it altogether.

My nearly two year old does that too. He'll use a word and then stop using it and then eventually will use it again. It seems to be focused on whether or not he needs to use it to get what he wants, the complexity of the word itself and his desire to use it in communication, as well it is also the need to use it because if he can get what he wants without the word he'd prefer to just skip the work and take the reward.

Language is difficult and forming words does take a lot of energy. If that energy can be used in other areas of development than sometimes kids will just skip the language and spend that energy on small motor skills or large.

So look at your daughter and think about what has changed, if anything, for the developing or regression and think about any illness that might have caused a temporary change in her language skills. From their you'll know if this is a now call to the doctor or bring it up at a future appointment assuming she doesn't start to use it again. You might be shocked too learn that what she is doing is listening to your words and one of these days she'll just repeat what you say when she puts her arms in the air.

Listening is more what they do to learn, and watching.

Good luck.

You read that wrong Beth. My daughter is fine. It's Naomi who is concerned about her daughter. My daughter is 2 and has the vocabulary of a 3 year old. So no concerns in our house. :)

Jen - posted on 12/22/2009

Quoting Naomi:

Quoting Jen:

Quoting Naomi:

Yeah my daughter turned 2 on the 5th and she doesnt really say much either...maybe...15 words? and some words she will say once or twice then stop using them completely..

It's not good if your child learns a word and then doesn't use it again. You should see if you have any free speech evaluations and early intervention programs in your area.

Is it something to be worried about?She used to say "uppies" alot when she wanted up but now she just holds up her arms and looks at me..she says it still just rarely..

That sounds more like she found another way to get mommy to do what she wants. I would encourage her to try to say up or uppies when she wants up. Even if she makes an attempt go ahead and pick her up. Each time have her try to say up and only give in as she gets better at saying the word. The concern comes into play when she says a words and then completely stops using it. For example, she used to always call you by mommy and now she doesn't say anything to you and possibly gives you a blank stare. Those kinds of things are red flags for Autism and other spectrum disorders.

Beth - posted on 12/22/2009

Hey Jen,

I know I am not Naomi, but I wanted to throw out my personal experience and opinion. It is just an opinion. I am in no way medically trained. I have, however, gone through giving birth to 3 boys (now coming up on 11, 7, and 2 in a week).

First off let me ask you a question... has anything else changed with your daughter? Meaning, do you see regression in any other forms such as babbling more instead of talking, or not having as much coordination as before? If yes, than I would suggest talking to your doctor. There might just be something medically going on worthy of a quick call.

Has she recently been sick with a cold, sore throat or ear infection? If yes, than this might have impacted her desire to use her voice.

But all of that comes up as a "no" meaning she hasn't been sick (especially with an ear infection) and everything else is developmentally the same or she's even progressing in her development with other words or skills, than talking to your doctor at the next visit but I wouldn't (personally) be alarmed.

You don't mention how old your daughter is, but without knowing I would venture to guess around the 2 year old mark. At this age they tend to be focusing more on repeating the sounds and words they hear often. Some days you'll get more than other days. If you use the word when she puts her hands in the air she is more likely to continue to use that when she wants up but only if she doesn't get what she needs from you without using them. Okay, so she says "uppies" and then you repeat her words and pick her up. If she just walks up to you with her arms in the air and you just pick her up without the need for saying or hearing "uppies" she will not feel the need to continue to use the words because she is getting what she wants and she is not hearing you using the words.

My two oldest children went in and out of using words during their development. Even now I'll hear them use a word repeatedly for a period of time and then just stop using it altogether.

My nearly two year old does that too. He'll use a word and then stop using it and then eventually will use it again. It seems to be focused on whether or not he needs to use it to get what he wants, the complexity of the word itself and his desire to use it in communication, as well it is also the need to use it because if he can get what he wants without the word he'd prefer to just skip the work and take the reward.

Language is difficult and forming words does take a lot of energy. If that energy can be used in other areas of development than sometimes kids will just skip the language and spend that energy on small motor skills or large.

So look at your daughter and think about what has changed, if anything, for the developing or regression and think about any illness that might have caused a temporary change in her language skills. From their you'll know if this is a now call to the doctor or bring it up at a future appointment assuming she doesn't start to use it again. You might be shocked too learn that what she is doing is listening to your words and one of these days she'll just repeat what you say when she puts her arms in the air.

Listening is more what they do to learn, and watching.

Good luck.

Naomi - posted on 12/21/2009

Quoting Jen:

Quoting Naomi:

Yeah my daughter turned 2 on the 5th and she doesnt really say much either...maybe...15 words? and some words she will say once or twice then stop using them completely..

It's not good if your child learns a word and then doesn't use it again. You should see if you have any free speech evaluations and early intervention programs in your area.

Is it something to be worried about?She used to say "uppies" alot when she wanted up but now she just holds up her arms and looks at me..she says it still just rarely..

Beth - posted on 12/17/2009

Quoting Naomi:

Yeah my daughter turned 2 on the 5th and she doesnt really say much either...maybe...15 words? and some words she will say once or twice then stop using them completely..

My kids have all done this (10.5, 6.5, and nearly 2) Some words just are easier to say and use. With each of them they would say something and then stop for whatever amount of time and then suddenly use it again. It is part of the learning pattern/behavior from my experience and what I learned worrying about number 1 child. lol. though I still never hesitate to ask the doctor (or call for that matter) with number 3, there are things you just learn are normal development traits, and that every child does develop differently. If you are concerned definitely mention it to the pediatrician. If they are concerned than they will help set you on a great course of action. My pediatrician is fairly conservative and he was not worried at my son's 18 month when he was still not saying any words. He figured by the 2 year appointment he'd be a chatterbox, and if not than we would talk about options. Honestly he was not concerned and I didn't walk away feeling concerned. Of course, now my guy is a chatterbox but still not vocabulary fluent. It will come. I can see him developing each day.

If she uses a word once or twice and then stops, think about the complexity of the word and if it really is helping her get what she wants. If too complex, or doesn't get her something in return, she may just be saving those words for another day and focusing on the easier words. Just a thought.

Jen - posted on 12/17/2009

Quoting Naomi:

Yeah my daughter turned 2 on the 5th and she doesnt really say much either...maybe...15 words? and some words she will say once or twice then stop using them completely..

It's not good if your child learns a word and then doesn't use it again. You should see if you have any free speech evaluations and early intervention programs in your area.

Naomi - posted on 12/17/2009

Yeah my daughter turned 2 on the 5th and she doesnt really say much either...maybe...15 words? and some words she will say once or twice then stop using them completely..

Beth - posted on 12/15/2009

Your a Mom, of course we all overreact :-) if that is any comfort. It is a good thing to worry as you love your baby. My son, who is now a very active and chatterbox at nearly 11, didn't start talking until he was just over 2.5 years of age. And my baby, who will be 2 on the 31st, didn't really speak until the last week or so. They had the babbles and chatter but they were so busy developing other skills something had to take a backseat and that was speech. They seemed to be able to communicate what they needed without it so their needs were being meet.

That is my experience. Talking with your doctor is a great idea, and highly encouraged. Keep in mind that if nothing worried the doctor's about her progress to this point, then everything is probably just fine.

Hugs and happy 2nd birthday!!!

Rebecca - posted on 12/12/2009

I was worried about the same thing and took him to a screening at the elementary school. I got a speech therapist that comes to my home two times a month. It has helped a lot. The therapist emphazies the names of things. He actually said two sentences today!!

Anselee - posted on 12/07/2009

Omg ! my son is the same way... i've been worried about it for a while. he'll be two on dec 21 and barely says anything. I asked his doctor abou it at his 18month app. im starting speech therapy with him as soon as we get back in town. he was evaluated and they want to " help him get started with words". they said that he's developing in every area fine but he'll just need a boost to get started. I know of several ppl who has kids that didnt really start talkin until 3!! i know thats scary right..

Darlene - posted on 12/07/2009

Does she have some words and chooses not to use them? My nephew is 2 1/2 and although he CAN talk, he seems to choose not to. Your doctor should be able to give you some tips to get her talking.

Jen - posted on 12/07/2009

You should be some what concerned, but not at the freaking out part. The average number of words she should be speaking by 2 is 50. She should always be able to understand double of what she actually says. If you don't see any other red flags (not comprehending, blank stares, regression) then she's probably fine and will be talking you head off in no time. It's not uncommon for some kids to not actually talk until they turn 2. Just encourage her to use her words, don't use made up or shorten words for things, and read to her everyday. Your doctor will probably tell you close to the same thing. Good luck and Happy Birthday to your little one.