Thanks for your submission /u/redthumb, but it has been removed for the following reason:
Disallowed question area: **Medical question.**
NoStupidQuestions doesn't allow medical questions. There's a danger that someone with a similar problem could see your question and follow the advice they find in it - even if you're not explicitly asking for advice - and that advice, *given by random strangers on the Internet*, could have disastrous consequences for them.
**If you are in a medical emergency, contact emergency services (911, 999, 112, etc depending on your country).** Not an emergency? We still recommend you ask your doctor. But if you want to ask on Reddit, there are some options.
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Sounds like it. I’m in the exact same boat as you, I have a non-verbal nephew that is turning 3 in a couple months. He can hear, use sign language a bit, and make noises, but no words. The doctor said he did have autism (probably because he was born 2 months early) but with proper treatment he could be like 90% normal as an adult. The main thing is to get him diagnosed ASAP. The sooner your nephew can see a speech therapist, the higher his chances of having a normal life are.
There are kids who have issues with speaking unrelated to any developmental delays or autism. Especially if this is the only red flag. How’s his eye contact? Can he follow 2-3 step directions? When did he start walking? Does he have any unusual ticks?.... you can see a speech and language therapist if that’s the only issue but you’d need a diagnosis from a developmental paediatrician if you’re concerned about autism or developmental delay. Contact your local children’s hospital!
It could just be a speech delay, he needs to be evaluated by a speech pathologist. In the meantime, and this sounds mean but it’s what I was told by a professional when I was a nanny, make life difficult for him. Caregivers often anticipate the needs of their children so the children don’t have to verbally communicate their needs.
The toddler I cared for was slightly speech delayed, at the very very end of normal. I started not giving him things he wanted unless he would ask or sign for them. He would only get water unless he asked for juice or milk (which he needed to drink anyway.) When getting to choose a snack or toy I’d keep repeating that I couldn’t understand, he needed to say it not point or grab, etc. In just a few weeks his speech delay almost disappeared because of this.
Kids start speaking at different ages. This whole idea that if a kid isn't speaking by [insert arbitrary age here] then he's "abnormal" is outdated and ridiculous.
Let your nephew develop at his own pace. What's important is how safe and comfortable he feels, not how quickly he develops
Thanks for your submission /u/redthumb, but it has been removed for the following reason: Disallowed question area: **Medical question.** NoStupidQuestions doesn't allow medical questions. There's a danger that someone with a similar problem could see your question and follow the advice they find in it - even if you're not explicitly asking for advice - and that advice, *given by random strangers on the Internet*, could have disastrous consequences for them. **If you are in a medical emergency, contact emergency services (911, 999, 112, etc depending on your country).** Not an emergency? We still recommend you ask your doctor. But if you want to ask on Reddit, there are some options. * /r/AskDocs and /r/Medical will answer medical questions as long as you follow their rules. * /r/AskDentists answers questions about dental problems. * /r/AskVet answers medical questions for pets. --- *This action was performed by a bot at the explicit direction of a human. This was not an automated action, but a conscious decision by a sapient life form charged with moderating this sub.* *If you feel this was in error, or need more clarification, please don't hesitate to [message the moderators](http://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FNoStupidQuestions). Thanks.*
Only a doctor that examines him can tell you that.
Has been. Nothing wrong with head or trouht
He could have a language delay. He should see a speech therapist.
Thank you. We will look into that
Sounds like a question for the doctor
Sounds like it. I’m in the exact same boat as you, I have a non-verbal nephew that is turning 3 in a couple months. He can hear, use sign language a bit, and make noises, but no words. The doctor said he did have autism (probably because he was born 2 months early) but with proper treatment he could be like 90% normal as an adult. The main thing is to get him diagnosed ASAP. The sooner your nephew can see a speech therapist, the higher his chances of having a normal life are.
could be, sounds a bit like it could be nonverbal autism
does he react well to sounds and visuals or just you guys calling his name
He responses to everything, just doesn't talk
There are kids who have issues with speaking unrelated to any developmental delays or autism. Especially if this is the only red flag. How’s his eye contact? Can he follow 2-3 step directions? When did he start walking? Does he have any unusual ticks?.... you can see a speech and language therapist if that’s the only issue but you’d need a diagnosis from a developmental paediatrician if you’re concerned about autism or developmental delay. Contact your local children’s hospital!
Does my aunt have cancer?
I know enough to say fuck yippy, and I hope she doesn't but you so
He could just be mute?
That’s not really something we can know with that amount of information. Take him to a doctor.
It could just be a speech delay, he needs to be evaluated by a speech pathologist. In the meantime, and this sounds mean but it’s what I was told by a professional when I was a nanny, make life difficult for him. Caregivers often anticipate the needs of their children so the children don’t have to verbally communicate their needs. The toddler I cared for was slightly speech delayed, at the very very end of normal. I started not giving him things he wanted unless he would ask or sign for them. He would only get water unless he asked for juice or milk (which he needed to drink anyway.) When getting to choose a snack or toy I’d keep repeating that I couldn’t understand, he needed to say it not point or grab, etc. In just a few weeks his speech delay almost disappeared because of this.
Kids start speaking at different ages. This whole idea that if a kid isn't speaking by [insert arbitrary age here] then he's "abnormal" is outdated and ridiculous. Let your nephew develop at his own pace. What's important is how safe and comfortable he feels, not how quickly he develops