She is not autistic, she comprehends complex sentences, and she does use some words... but only those few! My theory is that she figures that since those few words, plus some gestures etc, get her what she wants, she doesn't feel the urge to say anything more. But, I'm not sure if that's the case.

Also, she is perfectly able to articulate. She can say her ABC's up to H and sings along to several songs. By all indications there is nothing physically or mentally wrong with her.

I'm at a loss! Any and all advice, suggestions, experience, whatever, will be much appreciated.

PS - Presently, I am denying her a good number of things she normally gets without using new words. I am doing this to test my theory.

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Originally Posted by keninmansfield

She is not autistic, she comprehends complex sentences, and she does use some words...but only those few! My theory is that she figures that since those few words, plus some gestures etc, get her what she wants, she doesn't feel the urge to say anything more. But, I'm not sure if that's the case.

Also, she is perfectly able to articulate. She can say her ABC's up to H and sings along to several songs. By all indications there is nothing physically or mentally wrong with her.

I'm at a loss! Any and all advice, suggestions, experience, whatever, will be much appreciated.

PS - Presently, I am denying her a good number of things she normally gets without using new words. I am doing this to test my theory.

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Is she your first?

Yes, I'm afraid so :o

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Originally Posted by keninmansfield

Yes, I'm afraid so :o

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Don't worry, not to sound sexist but she is a girl she will talk... take in the quiet while you can! I have two girls two years apart (5 and 3) and the first talked early and often but the second started much later but is picking up the pace... that is why I asked about it being your first... if she isn't talking by pre-school time there should be programs through your school district that can help address the issue. If you are still concerned talk to your peditrician, they can also reassure you.

This is normal if she knows how to get what she wants by using gestures or sounds. If she wants something she HAS to say it.

If she goes to the fridge and points and grunts for juice, she must say "juice" to get juice.

She knows how to manipulate you and she has done it very well.

Don't feel bad, my youngest was the same way, I used to call him Monkey Boy cause he sounded like a monkey when he wanted something.

You just have to tell her to use her words.

Forget manipulation. She sounds as though she has a speech delay. Some simple testing can determin if this so is her problem. Speech therapy worked wonders and my son finished at the end of this school year. He is only 4 and will be in preschool this year. He has totally caught up and now he won't stop talking

While speech therapy may be necessary, by all means do NOT dismiss manipulation. What you described above, she can sing songs, say her ABCs up to H, and you say she can articulate. This says to me that she knows she doesn't have to talk to get what she wants.

The key words here are "articulate" (which she can), "comprehends complex sentences" (which she does), and "gestures."

I would suggest that you get a comprehensive check up with her pediatrician. To be sure.

Working with children of this age for over 22 years now, I really do believe it is more a matter of manipulation at this point in time. Speech therapy is there if this does not work for you.

One thing, if you every used "baby talk" with her when she was an infant, this is a good indication that she may need speech therapy.

Let me just say from the time my child was born I spoke in complete sentances, I never used baby talk. I agree manipulation or just plain laziness may be a great factor in this case but not in all. The best thing I would do is get a referral from her pediatrician to get her tested. She should be using more words by this age. No one has said she could not comprehend this obviously is not her issue. She may knowe the words but have the innability to form the words she needs to communicate.

Yes, and many children do this out of pure laziness. I have raised 4 children and taught approximately 100 children ages 2 - 4. So, I do know a little on this issue, not saying that you don't, but my experience is very vast with early childhood development.

Now, you may have spoken in complete sentences, not all parents do, and I commend you for this.

My fourth child had the same problem as this child does. Why? Because we LET him. He manipulated us.

I am not saying that speech therapy is uncalled for in this instance, but you are saying that manipulation is not the reason.

Please do not limit it to strictly speech therapy.

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Originally Posted by keninmansfield

She is not autistic, she comprehends complex sentences, and she does use some words...but only those few! My theory is that she figures that since those few words, plus some gestures etc, get her what she wants, she doesn't feel the urge to say anything more. But, I'm not sure if that's the case.

Also, she is perfectly able to articulate. She can say her ABC's up to H and sings along to several songs. By all indications there is nothing physically or mentally wrong with her.

I'm at a loss! Any and all advice, suggestions, experience, whatever, will be much appreciated.

PS - Presently, I am denying her a good number of things she normally gets without using new words. I am doing this to test my theory.

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Well.. ok I'm 11 so I don't no.. But maybe some type of dreams.. or thoughts

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Originally Posted by gurl44

well..ok im 11 so i dnt no.. but maybe some type of dreams..or thoughts

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WHAT??

j_9 I too have taught 3-4 year olds for a long time at a head start and then took a leave to have my own child. Needless too say like you I have seen it all. With the exception to you I have experienced having a child with limited vocabulary and have done a lot of work with countless children who had speech difficulty along with many problems with the fact that english was not there 1st language.


So I do speak from experience.

I never insinuated that you do not have experience. However, we cannot say that this child ONLY needs speech therapy or it is ONLY manipulation/laziness. It really could be either, or a combination.

She does need to be evaluated by her pediatrician to be diagnosed either way.