My son is 2 and he's very delayed?

for a child who doesnt talk sign language can be a great tool!! ... just keep pressing on.. my brother was like this until he was 4.. and BAM.. one day he started spitting out tons of words...

dont give up.. just be patient and let him take his own time :)

You didn't say; so I thought I'd mention that you might want to take your son to a Developmental Pediatrician and/or a Pediatric Neurologist. They may be able to pinpoint more accurately the cause of your son's delay. Has the ST ever mentioned Apraxia of Speech? That might be something to look into. I'm going to assume you've had his hearing tested already since you said nothing 'wrong' has been found after many tests.

I think the suggestion of the sign language was a great idea. I have many friends (with kids with special needs) that use sign language and it's made a wonderful difference for them. You can ask the ST to start incorporating some into his speech sessions. You can also check out www.sign2me.com They have lots of information there about sign language for toddlers/children.

I understand your frustration completely. My daughter was born premature and was very delayed (she was 15 weeks early). She began Early Intervention Services upon her discharge from the NICU and reaching her milestones were pretty difficult for her. It was so hard wondering what the future would hold for her (and still is b/c she ended up being diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy). So I totally know how you feel watching your son 'inch' along in his speech development. If you want to connect with other parents who are going through similar situations and feelings; I'd suggest joining the following online support group for parents of children with disabilities and special needs: www.specialparent.org The parents there are wonderful, caring, informative and compassionate. I don't think you'll be disappointed. GOOD LUCK with your son. I hope you find answers for your son.

Have you had him evaluated for Autism? You say he isn't communicating and his eye contact has improved, so I am thinking he made little eye contact before. If not you need to look into this. My son is 2 and a half and he was diagnosed with autism at 17 months. There are many websites that can give you a listing of common symptoms, a good one is autismspeaks.org. Does he line up his toys, does he have frequent tantrums, including self injurous behavior? Does he seem to have sensory issues? does he display an insistence on routine and does he seem disturbed when those routines are broken? does he seem obsessive compulsive? Those are some of the more common symptoms although there are many other that I didn't mention. I have said it before on Answers to similar Questions , If it is autism, it is devasting, but it has it's blessings as well. It is only bad or scary if you make it that way. My son is my entire world and I wouldn't trade him for any other child on the planet.The best advice I can give is this .... Remember that your child is the same exact child he was before the diagnosis and the diagnosis is just a label. Autism is only part of who he is, and he is so much more than that. They have come along way in treatments and many children go on to lead functional lives. Autism no longer means that yor child is doomed to live a lonely and cold existence. The most important thing is to never give up on him. If you lose your faith, then he will never get better whether 1 or 10 years from now. I know I can help my son to improve because my love for him runs far deeper than his disorder could ever reach, and you need to tell yourself that as well. Also Early intervention is extremely important. The earlier treatment starts the better his chances of recovery. Life with my son can be stressful and overwhelming at times, but more often than that is filled with joy and beauty and pride. You can develop a wonderful bond with your child as I have with my son. I know my life is better for having him in it. Talk to your speech therapist about having him evaluated. good luck to the both of you

If he gives you direct eye contact when you are speaking to him that is a good thing.

Potty training - put him on the potty make him sit there and read him a story. He listens to you reading and he is using the potty. After the story is done check the potty. If and when he pees or poos in the potty give him positive reinforcemant.

And night or nap times play classical music. This helps in the development of thought and speech.

Let him watch childrens educational programs like Dora, Barney, Blues clues.

Read to him at bedtime and

Play word ganes together.

Have fun and love your son!

Your son is at an age where he should be saying atleast 15 words. You should have his hearing checked most certainly.

30 years ago most children were potty trained around the time they were a year old. I still know some children who are trained by then. I suggest using sign language and studying for his bathroom cues to give you a tip on when you should put him on the potty. There is even a class on training infants! It's all a matter of technique... not words.

I know this sounds harsh, but you may want to ask your doctor to test him for autism. My 6 year old nephew was just as you describe your son. He was tested for hearing difficulties, but his ears were fine. He was finally diagnosed with mild autism at about age 2 1/2. He is now on several medications and attending a special school which seems to have helped a lot. He still does not speak in full sentences. The doctors seem to think that he developed autism from a high level of mercury in his vacinations. Your son may have something completely different or may just be a little delayed in speaking, but you might want to check with your dr. just to be sure, as autism is often overlooked.

I have a child in my 2 year old daycare class who is much like your son. He was a premature baby and this hindered him developmentally. He came to our daycare not speaking any. His parents have a lady who has been working with him and she visits him once a week in our class. She uses sign language with him, but she also encourages him to use his words.

Since he started in my class we have continued using sign language, but we also encourage him to use his big voice and words. He will still sign some but after about six months of getting to know us and the other children he is using words more often.

He also has two therapists who come three times a week to work with him on speech and physical activites.

Try learning some sign language with him and also have him use the words he knows. The therapists will sometimes have the child in my class use his words before she will let him do something else. He usually responds, but sometimes he has a stubborn spell and it takes her longer to get the response she wants.

Stay with positive thoughts and when you are want him to say a word then you say it first and have him repeat it. Example: If he wants a cookie have him say cookie please. This will help him hear the word and he will relate the word to the object.

Try it. It works in my class as we work to teach the 10 two year olds we have to use their language.

As for potty training him, watch his body language. His body language will let you know when he needs to potty.

He could be a late bloomer. A kid I know couldn't speak much until he was three years old. When he entered kindergarten, he appeared to be very quiet, and the teacher asked the parent, "He can talk, right?" Yes, he could talk, and he could read and write, too. He was really intelligent; he read on 6th and 7th grade level in the first grade and made a perfect score on his standardized tests. Even today, though, he is very quiet. Some kids are a little earlier than others, but it doesn't make them smarter.

Make sure he can hear properly.

Keep working with the specialist.

I loved the suggestion about using sign. I did it with my kids and it was an wonderful tool in bringing out oral language.

Good luck

my grandma didn't talk until she was 4... my daughter didn't talk until she was 2... every child is different but you should see the doctor, keep going with the speech therapist and I have really heard the chiropractor does wonders...