My 3 1/2 year old won't talk. The only word he says clearly is MOMMA. When do children start talking? Could there be any problems going on that I don't know about that I need to? What do I need to do to help him?

morag-77

hiya Am going through exactly same now - nothing wrong with hearing and speech and language therapy not making great bounds forward - what was the outcome?

lashun

my son is 31/2 years old he just started talking he goes to speech therapy to help him i think you should get him checked out

twinkiedooter

My son had the same type of problem. I took him to a speech therapist and she taught him sign language to have him realize that he could communicate his needs. She then taught him how to form sounds, then words. It's like riding a bicycle for kids. They need practice, practice and then viola they do it on their own. It took about 6 months for my son to get the hang of talking. I would practice whatever the speech therapist told me to with him during the week and then he would see her and learn more. He was also slow at learning how to read also when he started school but caught up. If you are on a budget you need to make yourself known to the speech therapist's office. Sometimes they have college students there in their office as interns and if your child was with the intern, the cost would be greatly reduced vs the regular therapist's costs. Some offices do have this internship program. Mine did and I had the benefit of having him properly treated under the watchful eye of the therapist as well as the therapist herself.

Nann Marie

I have a three yeal old as well. He does not say anything it would seem. There are some words in his vocabulary but none that come out un coaxed. I can't stand this. He has had two teachers come to our home twice a week for the better part of a year now and their seems to be no real improvement. The doctors have ruled out all medical implications yet he still does not talk or understand basic communications. I feel so frustrated that I am at a loss. He is my third child and by a different father then the first two. I don't know if that plays a part in his lack of communication I just know that I hate not knowing what is wrong with him when he cries, what he wants, what he needs from me? I wish to the dear Lord above that he would just open up and talk but he don't, there is nothing. Any suggestions would be appreciated. What we have tried with no success thus far is implementing sign language, use of picture cards, and other like means. Nothing has worked and I am at my witts ends. Because even though he does not talk he seems to be hitting all the regular stepping stones such as throwing tantrums, wanting to explore, asserting independance... and many more, yet how can I allow independance if he does not understand no no's and how can I handle a tantrum if he wont' communicate. Please help

sylviemonteiro

I agree that your son doesn't sound like he has autism. I've read all about that too. I myself, have been worried sick w/ my third son who is nearly 2 1/2 yrs old & a late talker for sure. I've read the works on speech delays, issues w/ school later, autism & apraxia. My son has about 80words, uses them often, but doesn't speak in full sentences much yet. He's been seen by a speech pathologist, yet still on a region waiting list. The speech pathologist recommended that he attend the nursery school 1/2day prgm that we had reg'd him for & to give it some time. Also mentioning something about teh articulators of the mouth sometimes not working so well, so i read all about apraxia, but she didn't think it was that (after calling her back w/ a panic) - it was the sever case where they drop sounds, unable to say a word they've said before symptoms etc. Since he's started school & interracts w/ a resource teacher @the centre, he's improved a lot.

Just give your son some time. Now that i'm open about this issue w/ every possible parent on the planet, I hear of more & more children who don't speak in full sentences or 100% clearly by the ages of 3, 4, 5. Take into acct that many children going thru divorces, new baby or movement of school/house can affect them. Good luck