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How To Manage Delayed Speech In A Child?
Question: My son is 2 yrs 4 mths old. He has still not started talking. He also doesn't follow instructions, hence its very difficult to make him sit and teach him how to talk. He even doesn't follow us when we talk to him or try to make him learn or focus. He rarely responds to his name that also to his close family members, but to strangers he never respond.
However, he is a very active toddler and loves to watch and listen to his favorite songs, he also loves and happily watches cartoons and nursery rhymes. He loves to explore XXXXXXX phones and TV remotes. He likes to see pictures.
One more issue is he doesn't chew food, although he has got all his milk teeth. Even if we try to give him semi-solid food, he would either spit them or choke.
Please advise about what to do. I am quite worried. Please help.
However, he is a very active toddler and loves to watch and listen to his favorite songs, he also loves and happily watches cartoons and nursery rhymes. He loves to explore XXXXXXX phones and TV remotes. He likes to see pictures.
One more issue is he doesn't chew food, although he has got all his milk teeth. Even if we try to give him semi-solid food, he would either spit them or choke.
Please advise about what to do. I am quite worried. Please help.
Brief Answer:
Answer the M-CHAT questionnaire
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Your child needs to be evaluated for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Google out for "M-CHAT" and fill in the form. It will help you evaluate whether it is likely for him to have ASD. Based on that you need to take him to a developmental pediatrician and get him evaluated further. Treatment can be administered accordingly.
Irrespective of whether your child has ASD, he needs speech and language therapy. As such you need to constantly talk and interact with your child. A speech and language pathologist (SLP) can guide you further in this regard.
It is rather stupid to wait and watch. Early detection and early intervention is key to favorable outcomes.
About not chewing food, I would need to ask what diet he is given. If you are still continuing semisolid or pounded food, he really does not need to chew. If he is being given food with some particulate matter, what does he do?
I would wait for your inputs.
Regards
Answer the M-CHAT questionnaire
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Your child needs to be evaluated for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Google out for "M-CHAT" and fill in the form. It will help you evaluate whether it is likely for him to have ASD. Based on that you need to take him to a developmental pediatrician and get him evaluated further. Treatment can be administered accordingly.
Irrespective of whether your child has ASD, he needs speech and language therapy. As such you need to constantly talk and interact with your child. A speech and language pathologist (SLP) can guide you further in this regard.
It is rather stupid to wait and watch. Early detection and early intervention is key to favorable outcomes.
About not chewing food, I would need to ask what diet he is given. If you are still continuing semisolid or pounded food, he really does not need to chew. If he is being given food with some particulate matter, what does he do?
I would wait for your inputs.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Thank you Doctor for your detail answer.
Regarding ASD: I am very worried and rather nervous after hearing this.
I have following qs:
Is there any proper treatment for this?
If my child is detected with ASD then what is the chance for his complete recovery?
I am bothered for his schooling. He is already 2 yrs and 4 mths, and after 3 yrs normal school should start. But, since he has not started talking and now ASD symptoms. What do you advise on this?
Regarding speech and language pathologist (SLP) : Do you have any suggestions? Also, the therapy will be done by the doctor personally? or they will train parents to continue at home?
Regarding diet: I am continuing food blended in mixer. Whenever I am trying to give him semisolid or food with small lumps or with some particulate matter, he will immediately spit them out, or vomit, or get choked and cough out loudly which makes the situation scary. He doesn't know how to chew. He only knows to swallow food.
Thank you.
Regarding ASD: I am very worried and rather nervous after hearing this.
I have following qs:
Is there any proper treatment for this?
If my child is detected with ASD then what is the chance for his complete recovery?
I am bothered for his schooling. He is already 2 yrs and 4 mths, and after 3 yrs normal school should start. But, since he has not started talking and now ASD symptoms. What do you advise on this?
Regarding speech and language pathologist (SLP) : Do you have any suggestions? Also, the therapy will be done by the doctor personally? or they will train parents to continue at home?
Regarding diet: I am continuing food blended in mixer. Whenever I am trying to give him semisolid or food with small lumps or with some particulate matter, he will immediately spit them out, or vomit, or get choked and cough out loudly which makes the situation scary. He doesn't know how to chew. He only knows to swallow food.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Questions answered one by one.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your inputs.
ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Fist of all, let us not presume things. Fill in the questionnaire and check whether the probability is raised. If not, you need not worry. If yes, the child needs to be given appropriate care and support. Although ASD is lifelong, its functional impairments can be minimized with proper support and treatment such that the individual can lead a normal life.
Do not worry about the schooling at the moment. There are more crucial things to be concerned about at the moment. Focus on learning what developmental supports your child needs. With proper care it is possible that the child could avail inclusive education and could be accommodated in regular schools.
A SLP is not a doctor but a professional trained in the field of speech and language. They would usually take periodic sessions with the child while you would need to administer home therapy in the intermediate period.
Regarding diet, it is you who is creating the problem. Unless you have plans of using blender for the rest of his life, gradually move to semisolids. Unless you do that he will never learn to chew.
Regards
Questions answered one by one.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your inputs.
ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Fist of all, let us not presume things. Fill in the questionnaire and check whether the probability is raised. If not, you need not worry. If yes, the child needs to be given appropriate care and support. Although ASD is lifelong, its functional impairments can be minimized with proper support and treatment such that the individual can lead a normal life.
Do not worry about the schooling at the moment. There are more crucial things to be concerned about at the moment. Focus on learning what developmental supports your child needs. With proper care it is possible that the child could avail inclusive education and could be accommodated in regular schools.
A SLP is not a doctor but a professional trained in the field of speech and language. They would usually take periodic sessions with the child while you would need to administer home therapy in the intermediate period.
Regarding diet, it is you who is creating the problem. Unless you have plans of using blender for the rest of his life, gradually move to semisolids. Unless you do that he will never learn to chew.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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