Issues With Speech

[Peep]

Hi there :)

I am a part time nanny for a little boy that turned 2 in April. I have some major concerns about his speech, or lack thereof in this case. "Jack" (as we'll call him), is an awesome little kid and I truly love him like my own. Currently he can say about 10 words that I can understand only because I spend so much time with him. I would venture to say he has one or two words tops that a stranger on the street would be able to understand. When he wants things he doesn't call them by name and he says "ba ba ba ba?" a lot when he is asking a question. Nothing he says is crystal clear.

I have been around kids since I was a young girl, and this is something that concerns me. I do not think it is a hearing issue because if he is in another room and I call him, he will come. I know he can hear, but I guess it is a possibility that he may not be hearing well. To see him with kids his own age is heartbreaking. They are talking away and he is still babbling unintelligibly.

Jack does comprehend things fine. If I say "go get your shoes" he will go and get them.

Despite my recent mentions to both his father and grandmother, who Jack lives with, that he seems to be a little behind (this is putting it nicely) they seem to not want to have this looked into at all. Recently on a trip, the grandmother happened to meet a pediatrician whom she spoke to about the "issue". The grandmother relayed the conversation to me, saying " the doctor said as long as Jack can put two words together he is fine". I said "well, he can't put two words together". The grandmother then became kind of upset and said "well it sounds like he is doing that". I went on to tell her it doesn't count if the words are unintelligible. I also wanted to ask her if she has actually paid attention to her grandson because how in the heck could she ever even think he is putting two words together (!), but I restrained myself.

I have been with this family for a while now, and I don't feel that I have overstepped my boundaries... they treat me like I am one of the family.... but I am also getting very frustrated. Jack clearly has a major delay here and nothing is being done about it. They went so far as to schedule a visit to have his hearing checked with a specialist but then cancelled because it was so expensive. Now they have enrolled Jack in "school" three days a week starting this month and are "going to wait 30 days to see if he improves".

Like I said, I love this little boy. I know there is only so much I can do since I am not his parent, but does anyone have any advice for me here? Is there something I can be doing to help him out? I sing to him, talk constantly about the names of things, correct him when he asks for something I can understand but no one else would be able to (ie. when he says "buh" I say "yes, that's a ball", etc.). The whole situation and the lack of concern of the lack of willingness to have the issue checked out infuriate me.

Any advice would be welcome. Thank you ! :)

[Peony]

My DS1 is the exact same age (down to the birth month) and has *maybe* 15 words that I understand, and most words, others would not be able to understand. He was dxed at 19 months with a speech delay and has been receiving weekly speech therapy since through EI.

It is difficult in your case since the parents are ignoring that there is a problem and there certainly is if he is saying that little. What we do with my DS1 is sign, verbalize simple words over and over, and let him watch our mouth. So we'll sit and play and do the same sounds, like today he was playing with trucks and we did, beep beep and uh oh. When I speak to him I try to make sure he has a view of my face, by getting on his level, and engaging him, trying to get him to watch my mouth move. 

Good luck. It sounds like you really care about him, I hope the parents wake up soon. If the chance to speak to them arises again about this then suggesting contacting EI (early intervention) for an eval which would be free would be wise. 

[DianeFuentes]

This really gets frustrating when parents seem to care more about money than their child. Does Jack go to a public school? I think they have speech therapists there that can help for a very small amount. You can also ask the help of a professional to help you convince Jack's parents. Maybe they will believe someone who has a degree to back it up

Good luck with Jack. Stay positive!

[ElliesMomma]

my daughter was like that, until exactly age 2.5. suddenly she started talking in sentences. today her speech is astounding. articulate and clear, uses advanced vocabulary and never stops talking. true story.

[lifeguard]

ds is like ellie's child. At 2 he barely spoke, a handful of words, rarely put 2 together. At 2.5 he spoke clear as day (even for strangers) in full sentences. Some kids do develop in big leaps that seem unimaginable.

[DianeFuentes]

ElliesMomma and lifeguard, I'm relieved! Means Jack still has a chance. Don't worry Peep!