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Avatar universal

Speech Delay

-4 word vocabulary at 2 years with no apparent physical issues
-Parallel plays with other children.
-Good eye contact
-Motor skills on par with 36 month old
-Does like to play independently about 30%-40% of the time at home ('reading' books, playing with cars and Little People, etc.)
-Entranced by Pixar (computer animated) films.
-Likes to show us what he wants (brings cup when thirsty, points to fridge when wants snack, waits by door to go outside)
-Very loving, loves to kiss and lay with us on the couch in the evenings
-Has no feeding problems, self-feeds, working on spoon use.
-Thumb-sucker beginning at 7 months.
-Babbles incessantly, nearly all the consonant sounds, most vowel sounds, newest sound is "-st"
-Points.  Also, he will follow my eye direction when I point to something.
-Mimics adults and children-->'Talks' on the phone (uses my cell phone or objects that resemble a cell phone like a banana, etc.), uses the broom to try and sweep the kitchen, etc
-My son is a moderate asthmatic, uses an inhaler twice a day, has been asthmatic since 4 months old.  History of ear infections, sinus infections, colds.
-Started walking at 15 months (we were told due to uneven ear fluid)
-Head circumference has consistently measured in the 99% (my head is also in the 96% for adults).  I understand that this is called Familial Megalocephaly, and that it can be related to speech delays.  However, my Pediatrician has never brought this up.
-Expressive language of 16 months, Receptive language of 16 months
-Smiles and laughs at other children, adults, and dogs
-Has no repetitive behaviors that I have noted, and does not engage in lining up objects
-Sometimes will not respond to his name when called (30-40% of the time).  
Basically, when I look up his symptoms I get a myriad of responses centering on apraxia, PDD, maturation delay, etc.  I am just absolutely lost.
6 Responses
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, Minor head injury -speech delay was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My grandson will be 2 in Oct and he has an older sister that will be 31/2 at the same time.  My grandaughter starting speaking a very early age and is now quite the conversationalist.  However my grandson just will not talk.  He understands everything you say to him.  If you tell him to go get his shoes he will get them.  His physical abilites are above average and he has been eating with a spoon and a fork for several months now.  The peditrician said don't worry about it as long as he understands what you are saying.  My grandson will shake his head yes or no as to what he wants to do but he does have a very large head.  His mom had a large head too but finally grew into it.  Whenever my grandson wants anything he grunts and points.  Any suggestions?
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Avatar universal
I agree with Dr. Kennedy, your son is doing quite well in most domains with the exception of language development.  In the scheme of things 2 years old is quite young and he has alot of developing to do. Nothing that you have posted indicates that he has a pervasive developmental disorder.  You have acted wisely by having him evaluated by a speech/language pathologist and getting him in therapy. You may receive therapy services thru your local public school district if he qualifies.  At the age of 3 he may qualify for a developmental preschool providing your public school system operates one.  Developmental preschools offer free education services and therapies to children who qualify.  Best wishes...
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your quick reply.
Development wise, our Pediatrician just did his 2 year check up and was happy with everything with the exception of his speech.  His motor skills are at or above age, and he is able to stack blocks and run accordingly.  He is a bit underweight (25 lbs., 33 inches) but displays no eating problems and eats 3 meals / 2 snacks a day with 2 veggie servings.  He plays peek-a-boo on request and is able to walk up and down stairs.  He imitates adults (blowing nose, talking on phone).   He is able to mark on paper using a crayon.  
Helpful - 0
242606 tn?1243782648
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
In most ways your son appears to be doing well. There really is no indication that he displays any condition along the Pervasive Developmental Disorder spectrum - it's reasonable to dispense with any worry about that. The one issue that is prominent is his delayed speech/language, but you may be looking at solely a developmental delay in that particular area. Has his doctor mentioned any other concern about the status of your son's development?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry, I neglected to paste the intro to the question:

My son has been attending speech therapy for 4 weeks now.  
He is 2 years old with vocabulary of 4 words.
Last visit the Speech Therapist noticed him playing with my hair.  She brought up a possible 'sensory issue'.
He has since been tested by an OT for a Sensory Issue and does not have one.
Here are some basic facts concerning his development.  Again, when I look up his symptoms I get a myriad of responses centering on apraxia, PDD, maturation delay, etc.  I am just absolutely lost.
Helpful - 0

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