2 1/2 year old and not talking?

My son is 2 years and 4 months and just started saying pretty much the same things you are describing. We put him in speech classes and the speech pathologist seems to think he has something called speech apraxia. If you Google it you can find info on it.

Your best bet is to talk to your pediatrician or get a referral to a speech pathologist.

However, for the sake of argument I'll say what I can on the topic.

I didn't start talking until I was well past 3. At least, not that anyone could tell. My tongue has partially connected to the bottom of my mouth which restricted its movement and led to a lot of mumbly gunk that didn't much resemble words. My nephew was somewhat similar in that he didn't start talking until nearly three, but he had no such physical problems and has since grown to have normal speech patterns.

Even if someone here were an expert, without actually assessing your son they could not say whether there is a problem hindering effective speech or if your son is perfectly fine and just taking his time.

Best of luck,

I do not think your child has a disability. One thing a child psychologist told me once is that if you automatically get things for your child because you know that is what he wants you are not helping him at all. It actually makes kids lazy doing that. I mean why would they want to learn how to talk if they never have to? If he wants something...make him say it. And do not give it to him until he TRIES to say it. Repeat the word to him over and over again.. and tell him.. "Say cookie" or whatever it is. You can get a dinner mat for toddlers that has all kinds of pictures on them and every night at dinner work with him on saying those words. Repetition is key. If he is responding to you calling his name or you telling him to do something then he does not have a problem with his hearing. And about him saying words wrong. That is normal. The older he gets the better he will be able to pronounce words correctly. If you are still baby talking him, you might want to stop. Again, that does him no good.

Of course, if you are really worried about it, you can take him to the doctor. But the only thing they will do is conduct a hearing test, if they can even do one on a child that young. You could always ask your doctor what he feels about sending your child to a speech pathologists. They will actually work with your child. Good Luck

I'd just get call his Doctor and let them know so they can evaluate him. I'm no doctor but it sounds like he is behind. My 3-year-old is speech delayed. She is going to start speech therapy in september through the school district for free. Up until 1-2 months ago (at the age of 3) she was still speaking in one-syllable increments. (although, often.). She has managed to get 2 and sometimes even 3 words out now but they are very broken up. Just contact your doctor and set up an appointment--the earlier a speech problem is caught--the better.

Best of luck to you:)

If you can, have him tested for a speech delay through your local school district. I waited for my daughter to start school and now after two years she is talking better and is starting to catch up with her reading and spelling. The problem with speech delays is that it affects the progression of reading as well as the spelling which is so important now a days. My neighbor had two of her children tested and the youngest started speech therapy thru the school district at the age of 2 1/2 years. Better safe than sorry and the sooner they receive intervention the better off they are.

Every child is different. Read to him more, buy those cards they sell with objects/pictures on them and go through those with him, point out objects in everyday life and try to get him to repeat them back, etc. If you really wanted to you could work with a speech therapist, but I don't feel like thats truly necessary.

My daughter just turned 2 in May and went from mixed babbles to talking like overnight. lol

My mom is a child care worker and has had many cases like this. Its nothing serious, children develop this skill and progress at their own pace. It isn't anything serious to worry about. When your child is ready and more confident to start speaking in sentences make sure you provide him with plenty of praise and for now all you can do for him is encourage him. If you be patient then he will eventually develop his ability to speak.

Hope I helped (:

My neighbor was in this exact situation with her son and he was diagnosed with a learning disability.

I learned to talk at 3. Are you even training him?