Hi all.

I have a friend with a 20 month year old baby who does not talk yet. Everyone says "Einstein didn't speak until he was 4". Well, who cares about Einstein?" We live in a competitive world and everyone is sharing when their child first learns to speak. This is a very sociable, loveable child who interacts with children very well, interacts with adults very well, points to everything (making his wants very understood). He does not say mama or dada or up, or anything. He was tested by a competent audiologist, and there is no hearing problem whatsoever.

A month ago they took him to a speech pathologist who, after several sessions) diagnosed him with expressive and delayed language and recently told the mother to bring him to a neurologist to test for apraxia. I have looked this up. He had been going to speech therapy twice a week.

Still no talking. Laughs his head off. Watches "Frozen" every night (like all the little children do). Loves his family, but for whatever reason, he just won't repeat words or speak. He knows where his nose is, his mouth, his head, etc. He won't talk. All his little friends talk and say mommy, daddy, up, etc. Some even say two words or even more. Of course everyone has an opinion. They say "he's still young, he can be a late talker, etc."

His dad says "he's too young, he doesn't need speech therapy". The mom will still bring him privately of course (at least I hope she continues to bring him" Oh, he eats just fine, he can feed himself, he sucks through a straw (I read how a neurologist tests for apraxia by watching a child do this. I have seen him make the oooh and aaaah expression with his mouth so we know that those muscles are working.

But how can we get him to say ANYTHING. Believe me, they have tried. He shakes his head no when you ask him to do what he doesn't want to do. He has full comprehension but has yet to even say mommy or mama. He did say dada a few months ago, one time, but that was it.

They find it hard to hear him cry so of course they give in to him. People have suggested that he earn the privilege of watching his favorite video or use his favorite toy by withholding it and saying the word and maybe he will say it to get it back. They have no patience to do this. And god forbid you take away his pacifier, he cries up a storm.

He is healthy as a horse, eats like a champion, and when he's tired, he will walk into his bedroom, with his mommy behind him, and knows he's going to bed. They will ask him to bring them a book or bring them something and he wil do it. He just won't talk.

Do you think he has apraxia or is he just a very late talker.

All comments are welcome.

Thanks very much.

Melody

Late talker.

I don't really know, Melody, but I'd probably be more concerned if the child had been making noises or talking already and then stopped altogether.

Has the child ever made any sounds at all? Like little baby babble?

I know a child a little bit older who is now just starting to speak and to string a few words together. She is the youngest of 3 and lives in a very busy extended family and I don't think she's ever really spoken because she can't get a word in edgeways. Everyone speaks for her.

It's always concerning I guess for a parent when their child isn't doing the same as other children around them, but considering the child is very social and healthy, then I wouldn't be as concerned.

On the other hand, if the SLP suggests further investigation, I'd probably go along with that.

I also don't think bribery would help. lol

Not really any babbling. I've seen countless videos of him. No sounds come out. Except when he watches something funny on tv, then he laughs his head off. Giggling.

Mel

Hi Melody,
Well, if there were no sounds at all, I would definitely follow the advice of the SLP.

You and I are in complete agreement. Now the only thing is for the FATHER to agree.

I mean, when would parents REALLY start to worry??

Mel