My 26 months old child doesn't talk

[Tripti_21]

Hi All

I need some help with my baby girl's development. She doesn't seem to ask for what she needs.. like water food or anything. She is a happy baby, she keeps playing on her own.

When I call her she doesn't response, until she feels that I am angry.. As soon as I scold her she starts crying (obviously i scold her so that she will pay attention on what I am saying). She can count up to 10 (begins from 2 and, when I say 1).. She identifies some colors  and apply and banana.. she doesn't know the body parts.. (and doesn't take interest when i teach her anything)..

She is 26 months now and with her careless behavior I am getting worried now. She has been watching baby shows and rhymes on Youtube since she was 6 months... she was a late walker as well.

I am sooo worried now, when will she start understanding me and will ask for her needs?

Will this make her perform late in all other areas (will she be able to pick up like other children after a specific age)?

Please help.


This discussion is related to My 2.5 year old son doesn't talk or understand instructions.

[Andrewdavid1]

Some children are Walking, by nine months old, some are still crawling at three. Both are extremes but are possible. Some Children are Potty Trained  by eighteen Months, others are still in nappies at school. Some children are Dry, at night, by eighteen months, others are still Wetting at ten. Some children are Talking by fifteen months and others, quite frankly, are not talking by three. It's called 'Unequal Development' and, in all probability, this is simply what has occurred here. If, in say another year, there is no improvement, then speak to a Health Worker or Paediatrician. A 'check Up' with you GP, might be an idea, just In Case there is a physical reason, but, I'm almost certain, that she will be Just Fine. If, in say, a years time YOU can't get a word in edgeways...…..

[Catchristo]

I am an SLP and I raised 2 boys. My biggest concern is that your daughter doesn't seem to understand you. My first thought is to have her hearing checked. Girls usually are 2 years ahead of the boys her age, so don't compare her to boys. I would expect her to be understanding most of your basic instructions and have a larger vocabulary than she has. I would definitely have her evaluated by a speech-lavish pathologist. Early intervention can make all of the difference if there is a delay in development. Having said that, all kids are different and it could be within normal limits. Testing only takes a day or two and then you will know more. School system SLPs can do testing, but if you can have private testing done, you will likely get quicker answers. You will need a physician's orders for speech-language and audiological assessments.

[vasilikamihallari]

Hello! I know this is a post of like 5 years ago, but since you are a SLP, i wanted to ask you something about my daughter. She is 26 months old. She understands everything, she can take almost every direction i give her. She always responds to her name. If i ask her if she wants something (anything), she answers yes, or no. She always points to what she needs to get. If she wants water, she says it but in her own way. Ex: water in my language is UJË, but she says UVE. There are also other words that she doesnt say perfectly, but in her own way. There are some words that she says correctly. She also tries to form 2 words sentences like: give milk, give daddy (when she wants to facetime with him, or head hurt (when she hurts her head), ect. My point is: why there are words that she doesnt say correctly (word that its just me that can understand) ? Will she ever be able to speak well? She is a very active toddler. She intercacts and plays with us all the time. Do you think i should be concerned?

[RockRose]

I completely agree with having her evaluated by someone who understands child development and age appropriate behavior for a 2 year old.  

There is a huge range of "normal" for children - she may just be an imaginative,  wistful child.  

[Sandman2]

   I think that MamaTiers has a very good point about talking to either your doctor or the local school district.  Just in case there is something going on, early intervention is key!  It may be that all she needs is more social interaction, and I would certainly do all I can to get her involved with other kids.  Here is a developmental checklist for two year olds.  It might help you understand where she is compared to other kids.   Realize that this is really where she should be at 36 months.  But, it will give you a way to see growth.
    http://www.preschooleducation.com/tcheck2.shtml

[MamaTiers]

I dont think it should.  My Boo was a late talker and when she went to school you could only understand maybe 60% of what she said.  But she is a smart little cookie.  Now my son is smart too, but he doesnt want to show me.

[Tripti_21]

Thanks for all your suggestions.. Yes I am trying hard not to get stressed at least not to make the baby realized about my fears.

I am worried about will the speech delay cause the delay in all over development of my baby (Nightmare- NEVER want this) or it's just that she will be a late talker?

[Riaan007]

my son is a very happy child likes to play with us.he is now 2.4 years old. saying alphabet, numbers,colours and few words.but he is not playing with other children.he is trying to interact with other adults if we are doing park or malls.he does hand flapping when he gets excited and doesn't follow simple instructions much.he imitates some rhymes through actions but eye contact is not much.he used to have more eye contact when he was a baby.he is a very hyperactive child.sometimes I feel he is not understanding language so because of this he is not responding.can you please guide me on this and please let me know how is she doing now.please contact my mail id manisa.***@****

[Sandman2]

Pretty normal.  kids of this age do "independent play".  They are not into playing with other kids too much.  And actually this is a good reason to start a preschool (on a limited basis) when he is around 3.   The more interaction they have with other children the better it is.  If you want him to respond to you, you have to make the effort to make eye contact with him and give your instruction and then ask if he understands.   If you are across the room and ask him to do something...well, you might as well be in a different house yelling out the window.