My 23 month old son doesn't speak.?

Question

My 23 month old son hardly has a vocabulary. He says car, hello, and nenee(our made up word for sleep). My wife swears that he say things like "comeback", "whose that". He mutters a lot of things that I don't understand. Recently I said banana and he copied me with "nana". The reason I am so concerned, is that a close friend's son was recently diagnosed with mild autism. Out of interest, I looked into autism and found that at times, my son demonstrates some of the same tendencies. More specifically, he bangs his head during tantrums, although he is careful of where he bangs it, and how hard as if he knows that banging his head will hurt. Sometimes I feel like I'm just paranoid. Before my friend's son was diagnosed, I had no worries. I think everything will be O.K., and it's just that I'm looking for certain behaviors that are common in toddlers. We recently enrolled him in day care, hoping that social interaction with other children will help. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Autism is serious biz... I would consult with a doctor. No, TWO doctors. Sometimes one isn't enough. If you're really worried it's the way to go. I used to work in daycare and I've seen kids go from 20 months with only 'mama' and 'dada' in their vocab, to 24 months talking up storms. I swear it happens overnight. He may just be a late starter. :)

Answer 2

Youre worried cuz you dont know whats going on in that head of his and I bet you what it isnt good.  Oedipus probably didnt talk a lot early on so people wouldnt know what he was up to either.

Answer 3

have him checked by early intervention in your area. It is free up til the age of 3 years old. My son only had a 10 word vocabulary and he qualified for free speech therapy. He has been going for 6 months now and most people cannot tell that he has any problem what so ever. The truth is that he most likely has a disorder called apraxia. His therapist has been treating him as if he does for the whole time.  Apraxia is sort of like when grandma has a stroke and loses her ability to speak. She KNOWS what she wants to say, she just cannot get her mouth to make the words. My son is so smart, but we did not have any proof until he learned to sign and then speak.

The head banging thing could either be a sensory thing or a frustration thing. It was so pitiful when my son would try to communicate with us, then go off in the corner and hold his head in his hands and mumble to himself.  I would not worry too much about autism yet. Just because a child does some of the same things that a child with autism does a few times does not mean that they are autistic. My son freaks me out every time he decides to line toys up. His new thing is taking all the pieces out of 3 puzzles and lining the pieces up to make a path across the living room.

feel free to e-mail me. I have a few things for you to do to help pin down your sons problem.

Answer 4

my son turn 2 in July he just now started saying  some new words all kids are differed. if it worried you i would talk to his doctor.

Answer 5

Have him evaluated if you are concerned; most states provide this service free of charge up to a certain age.  Remember that if there is something wrong, your son will do better if you get him help now.  If there is any doubt in your mind, take action.

All children speak at different ages; mine did not talk till she was two and a half and I was so concerned.  Just as I was about to take her to be evaluated at Arnold Palmer Hospital, she started talking like crazy.  

Answer 6

I have 2 sons with mild autistic features (dx PDD.NOS).  All autistic children are different, but most do not imitate at a young age.  Neither of my sons at age 23 months could imitate nana if I said banana, however my typical child who is speech delayed does do this.  My PDD kids still don't point.  They are 7 and 3.  Although it doesn't sound like autism from the above description, I would have him screened by early intervention.  He could have a dyspraxia/apraxia or an articulation issue.  Also the headbanging could possibly be a sensory integration issue.  So it is possible that your son will qualify for free speech therapy and free occupational therapy or maybe neither.  Its worth finding out the sooner the better.

Answer 7

this is actually very normal in small children I had the same problem with my son I mean almost the exact same situation including the head banging my son also hit him self in the head with his hands I was seriously concernd just like you and I took him to his doctor and talked to him.  my doctor told me to get him in to day care or a regular play group to increase his interaction and socalisation you might also want to get him into speech therapy that is what I did it made a huge difference they talk to him play games it is like a play group for him they will also help you with things you can do at home to help him improve his speech abillitys like no matter how mundane talk to him using simple but concise words about what you are doing and what he is doing repeat words and titles often and try to keep to as many true words as posible so that he dosnt get confused when he is talking to people out side the home that dont understand your made up words like at day care I learnd that the hard way. less than 6 months after I started my son in daycare, speech theripy and at home "exercises my son is actually ahead of other kids his age in the speech and language department. it is a lot of work and effort and most speech appointments are once a week but they are worth it in how much they help the child  talk to your doctor they can get you in touch with a speech pathologist the sooner he starts the better he will do.

sory this was so long I hope I helped good luck

Answer 8

Don't be so fast to point to autism.  My daughter, who is now going on 6, didn't have anything remotely close to a vocab until almost 4.  She babbled constantly and did alot of pointing.  One day its like a switch went off and she talked perfectly.  I had her evaluated, socialised, you name it.  Bottom line of it is, she is stubborn and didn't feel like talking.  Now she won't shutup and speaks  multiple languages.  Give him some time :)