Hi Ladies I just had a few questions regarding my Niece. She will be two years old at the end of June and can only say 4 words. Mama ,Bye Bye, Baby and I'm not sure what the last one is. Even the words she does say are not very clear. Well my SIL just brought it up to her Ped on Monday and obviosly the Ped is concerned and is going to have an evaluation done one her. I was just curious what could be some of the reasons for a delay in speach?

Is she a second child? Usually it is because an older sibling is talking for them. Otherwise the parent may be speaking for them all the time, or pre empting their speech. In most cases speech delay is easily treated with a speech therapist.

Other causes could be hearing loss.

Is she a second child? Usually it is because an older sibling is talking for them. Otherwise the parent may be speaking for them all the time, or pre empting their speech. In most cases speech delay is easily treated with a speech therapist.

Other causes could be hearing loss.
Thanks Rachel! She is a 2nd child but her Sister really doesn't speak for her. Actually she doesn't want much to do with her (LOL) I don't think it's a hearing issue as she seems to hear noises pretty well. I'm glad to hear that it's usually easy to treat!

A speech therapist will be able to help Kim!

And I agree with Rachel!

Hearing noises and being able to differentiate sounds in speech are different abilities. I'd request a hearing evaluation just to rule out any hearing problems.

How much does she understand? Is there a great deal of frustration going on with communication? 4 words is behind but often other sounds may be her way of "saying" a word. Does she point and engage you in things?

I am a HUGE proponent of having a screening done as early as possible to detect delays as it takes forever to correct them if they are severe. It is great that your ped is being proactive on this and not telling you to wait it out.

So many times I have asked what caused the delay in my two sons (both have suffered severe delays, Walker goes to a speech and language school half days and will still take a few years to catch up and Iain is just starting a program) but no one has any clues. For us it was likely the GERD, but who knows. I have my middle son who is off the charts GIFTED with speech and language so go figure....

I am moving this to the speech forum.

Zoee is behind in speech where hse maybe at 10 words but her understand to follow directions and understand to answer the questions are probably not delay if that makes senses. (Sorry I probably should not be posting today b/c of lack of sleep)I am waiting to get her screened and then we willhave to wait 2 years to get St in.

I remember being concerned about my ds Aaron's speech at around the same age. I have a friend who is a SLT and she asked me if he understood what I was saying to him and he could follow directions. As he clearly could understand just about everything I said, I relaxed about the whole issue and now he talks non stop!