Is it a speech disorder or something more ?

Hello ,

I have a 3 and half year toddler who has a total vocabulary of just 5-6 words , he understands everything , follows all the commands but just isnt willing to talk .He is independant and gets what he wants on his own , he is potty trained . We had his hearing test done which came out fine and had him evaluated with a speech patholgist who has told us to get him therapy for 2 days in a week and to also have him enrolled in a public school and have him evaluated there . we are from texas and im very unfamilar with the education system here . Any help of that will be appreciated .
Wht the therapist did tell us , what that he has good problem solving skills , and that he is not a flat line case , she also mentioned about social anxiety and that he has selective mutism.
I am wondering are there any signs of autism ? he plays with blocks , he has friends in school plays with them , loves his school . loves for me to read books to him .

how can i help him at home ,which books to read to him ? Any help will be appreciated and is this just a speech disorder or somethg more .

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

F ollow the recommendation for Speech/Language therapy. His expressive communication is delayed and he requires professional intervention. If he is not enrolled in a pre-school program it would make sense to do so because this will expand many fold the opportunities hor him to be communicating.

[sanam001]

he currently attends a montessori school and is having trouble following directions from teachers . do u think it wud be wise to have him put in a public school for special education or have him continue in a montessori environment .

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

I can't offer an opinion on that because it would depend on what services or components the public school environment might offer compared with his current program. It is worth investigating re: where he will attend school in September.

[sanam001]

Thank you so much for all your help ! Also he has a weird movement with his hand , he taps his hand near his stomach and then rolls his hands , its like he is releasing his energy but i am getting a bit worried about it . its definately not flapping ... Any insight on that ?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It is possibly a motor tic and should be called to the attention of his doctor.