Speech Evaluation- 2 year old?

[Tasha+Scott]

My youngest brother is deaf but it took a while for them to do a hearing test because he also responded to commands. He had learned to read lips and facial expressions, hand gestures, etc., early on since that was his way of learning to adapt. When they finally did a hearing test on him, he actually passed because he could feel the vibrations from the test and knew when to push the button.

We knew something wasn't right though as he wasn't talking at all and would make this screeching sound similar to a seagull when he wanted something. The audiologist finally did a test where they put him to sleep and tested his brain waves to sounds while asleep and that is when they realized he wasn't hearing correctly. He still had a little hearing but not much so he was classified as deaf. He wore hearing aids from the time he was 2 till he was 15. When he was reevaluted at 15, they realized that not only had his hearing gotten progressively worse, he had lost it completely. He now has a cochlear implant as a result which has helped a lot. He has had it for 3 years. He speaks pretty well and can read lips. He had no other issues other than the hearing loss.

This may not be the case at all with your son, and it probably isn't, but I would still want a hearing test just in case. Good luck!

 

[nyprincess]

At my oldest son's two year appointment in December 07, DH and I planned to ask the doctor about him not talking yet. He says very few words (yesssss, see?, there it is!), but makes tons of noises. The doctor never brought anything up about him not saying anything. When he asked if we had any questions, DH spoke up and the doctor then gave us the name and number of a Speech Therapist.

I feel like a bad parent because I haven't made the appointment yet. I just keep thinking if we just give him some more time, he'll start to talk. On the other hand, I get anxious because I've read lots of things on autism. For instance, my son makes "trains" out of everything and anything. He'll line up blocks end to end until he runs out. All of his cars and trucks and toys...same thing. They are all facing the same way and are very neat and organized. Smallest to largest. Then I have people at my work telling me that he's not talking yet because my in-laws (who live with us) speak nothing but Spanish to him. They say he's confused; he doesn't know what language to speak. He understands both languages though because when I ask him for a kiss in English or Spanish, he gives me one.

One of my mom's friends said he personally didn't start talking until he was 3 years old. He said he just didn't have anything to say; he was taking everything in. Now, he's some sort of engineer.

 

[Karel]

Ironic that I find this post today. It's my son's 16th birthday - 14 years ago, when he turned two he could only make sounds, some animal sounds, no words. I called county services and immediately had him tested, and put into a development preschool.

So with those of you with young children with speech problems, have faith. Get your child the services they need and keep pushing. It really does help! My son graduated speech finally, after 12 years. Sometimes he gets lazy and I have to remind him to 'speak clearly' but it's amazing how far he's come!