Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Hello, My 3.5 Year Old Doesn’t Speak. He Doesn’t Even
Posted on
Mon, 19 Nov 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 19 Nov 2018
Answered on
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello,
My 3.5 year old doesn’t speak. He doesn’t even really try. When he does it’s finally coming out repetitive noises at least. He is a great boy. Happy all the time. Loves kids. Makes eye contact with most people. Plays normally with others.
Loves to jump on his trampoline on and off during the day. Doesn’t usually wave hello or goodbye. Is somewhat shy too and quiet at home for the most part. A very good kid.
We’ve had him tested for autism but the paediatrician doctor and family doctor both don’t think he has it. We do speech therapy weekly with a speech therapist at a centre. He seems to understand what you’re saying half of the time but cannot complete tasks usually. “Can you pass me the Kleenex. Can you pass me the ball”. Knows his colours, letters, shapes and body parts etc. Seems like he has good skills for a lot of things. Seems like speech delay and some communication delay. Any other suggestions ??
I want to get his hearing retested in case he hears muffled words but he seems to hear fine.
He puts his hand on his ears when it’s a show he doesn’t like, instead of saying No. Or when it’s something he doesn’t like he does that as well.
He also never answers questions like “are you hungry?” Etc.
My 3.5 year old doesn’t speak. He doesn’t even really try. When he does it’s finally coming out repetitive noises at least. He is a great boy. Happy all the time. Loves kids. Makes eye contact with most people. Plays normally with others.
Loves to jump on his trampoline on and off during the day. Doesn’t usually wave hello or goodbye. Is somewhat shy too and quiet at home for the most part. A very good kid.
We’ve had him tested for autism but the paediatrician doctor and family doctor both don’t think he has it. We do speech therapy weekly with a speech therapist at a centre. He seems to understand what you’re saying half of the time but cannot complete tasks usually. “Can you pass me the Kleenex. Can you pass me the ball”. Knows his colours, letters, shapes and body parts etc. Seems like he has good skills for a lot of things. Seems like speech delay and some communication delay. Any other suggestions ??
I want to get his hearing retested in case he hears muffled words but he seems to hear fine.
He puts his hand on his ears when it’s a show he doesn’t like, instead of saying No. Or when it’s something he doesn’t like he does that as well.
He also never answers questions like “are you hungry?” Etc.
Brief Answer:
From your description it seems language is delayed
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
From your description, the baby's language is delayed. We need to look for causes like hearing problems, any sign of mental retardation other than verbal, any problem with attention, symbolic play, affection (autism), delayed maturation or late talker.
Among the above, autism doesnt seem to be present.
Your baby needs assessment by a neurologist and ENT specialist to rule out mental retardation in any other areas or hearing problem respectively.
The investigations needed will include:
- Hearing assessment, ENT assessment
- Non verbal IQ
- Psychological assessment
- Assessment of motor and oromotor functions
- EEG
- MRI brain
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
From your description it seems language is delayed
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
From your description, the baby's language is delayed. We need to look for causes like hearing problems, any sign of mental retardation other than verbal, any problem with attention, symbolic play, affection (autism), delayed maturation or late talker.
Among the above, autism doesnt seem to be present.
Your baby needs assessment by a neurologist and ENT specialist to rule out mental retardation in any other areas or hearing problem respectively.
The investigations needed will include:
- Hearing assessment, ENT assessment
- Non verbal IQ
- Psychological assessment
- Assessment of motor and oromotor functions
- EEG
- MRI brain
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
