[tomhannah]

I have a 3 year old boy and a 21 month ol girl. My son doesn't talk. He watches mr tumble and has taught himself how to sign. He is now at school and is having problems communicating with his friends and teachers. My daughter is now refusing to talk and coping the signs.

Any advice? He has been put forward for speech therapy but we might have t wait up to 3 months to see them

[Perito]

I have several grandchildren who had trouble speaking at age 3. All but one of them grew out of it when they reached four. They did have speech therapy and it really helped them. You need to talk to them and encourage them to talk.

The one who did not grow out of it does speak some -- he's six now. He is in intensive speech therapy and other therapy. He is slightly autistic, but he's coming along fine.

Signing is one way to keep them from being totally frustrated. It does not slow down their speech! Several of my grandkids signed before they learned to talk. My daughter, their mother, is a sign-language translator and that helped them with their signing.

[MsMewiththat]

This may not answer the question but have you had him tested and consulted your primary physician?

[dreamgrl]

You mean starting from birth or now a days?
Sorry for asking I can understand your feelings!

In this age of 3 years he should be having some interest on at least something like a sport or any activities or maybe he like some cartoons. From that you can try to charge his mind and try to change him inside.. slowly he will start talking.. But don't let him know that you are trying to make him talk..

[Survivor07]

You did not mention if you have had his hearing checked, as well.

The signing is good. He's trying to communicate.

Does he make any sounds at all?

Your older child is probably noticing the attention he is getting and, of course, mocking the behavior.

Hopefully you can get in to see a specialist sooner than three months.

I'd try to make some more inquiries into where you can take him sooner than three months. That seems too long to me.

[tomhannah]

Thanks for your help, I did call the speech therpist and we are now being seen on Friday!

I have been looking on the internet about possible problems / solutions. I found a symptom called developmental verbal dyspraxia. It sounds just like him. He can say certain letters i.e. 's' but cannot assisiate them with certain words i.e. he says 'bu' not 'bus'. And makes noises like grunting and points

[Survivor07]

That's wonderful. Good luck with everything.