My son is three and he is very smart. I can ask him to do anything and he knows exactly what I' asking him to do. The only problem is that he doesn't speak! He would rather cry or scream for what he wants rather than trying to talk or use words to get something or even communicate. The only words he says is dad, mom and JEEP (YES he's a jeep lover!) His hearing is excellent. Does anyone else have issues with their son not talking?? HELP!!

When he cries and screams to get what he wants, does he end up getting what he wants?

I had the same thing happen with my little guy.

He would grunt and point when he wanted something instead of using words.

What I did was what sounds like you have already done, got him checked out to make sure there were no medical problems, and he was fine.

Then I took him to the local Health Department, and had his speech tested by a speech therapist. She was able to tell that he was able to form most letters letters properly, and the ultimate conclusion was he simply didn't need to talk because I understood every sound he made. So, because he used a 'soother' all the time, that had to go, and after that, we did some excercises the therapist had given us.

The next thing I knew, he was just off with full sentences (age appropriate i.e. mom, me want banana) and there was no looking back.

Other than the soother and that causing some sounds to sort of slur, everything he needed he already had. Not sure if yours uses one or not. I think that you have nothing to worry about, he will talk when he's ready, particularly if you know he's healthy and there isn't a physical reason for him not to.

First, it sounds like you've had his hearing checked but if you just are of the impression he has great hearing, don't be too sure - get him fully evaluated by an audiologist. Also, I agree that if he gets everything he wants with non verbal requests, he may not be motivated to talk. You don't have to expect perfection but you can reasonably play games with him where he has to verbalize what he wants to get it and you can pretend not to understand him and not respond sometimes so he has motivation to verbalize his wants.

Some kids just talk late for no particular reason.

I'd just keep talking to him, avoid using baby talk or baby versions of words - use normal speech. And if he has a pacifier, accidentally "lose" it - you can just let them disappear and the kids adapt very quickly.

Is he in any kind of play groups with other children. This is very important.

Also as others have said, rule out any other medical problems and be proactive about your sons development to be ahead of the game just to have that support.

Speech therapy is important in any kind of form and a lot of good advice will be given to you as the parent to increase his vacabulary.

Sounds like he is very smart and a lot of quiet kids are very smart, but just need to work on words.

My son, there have been concern about his speech but we have had him assessed and followed since being young in order to be pro active and make sure that he gets a good start.

Many parents are in denial that there could be a problem and get defensive or etc about getting help but there is nothing wrong with being ahead of things.

Now our little boy is communicating better, preschool has made a major difference along with one on one speech therapy.

Edit: Have you officially got his hearing checked, if not it is time to do it is now.