My three-year-old daughter doesn't talk

11 years ago

She understands everything we say, and only selectively responds. She will say random sentences such as "I love you" , "I sleepy now", etc...she does well with sorting and putting things in order, and can count to 11. She recognizes some letters. However she talks a lot in what seems to be her own language. She doesn't have any of the typical markers for the autism spectrum. Speech therapy is not covered by insurance and it is expensive. Has anyone had a similar situation, and how did you deal with it?

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Comments (14)

strawchicago z5
11 years ago
Hi Regansmom: My nephew was born "blue baby" from respiratory distress. He was 3 and could only say "ooh" and "ah", so your daughter is way-ahead of him.

Later on he was diagnosed as ADHD and took medications daily. He grew up to be very fluent verbally, popular, was gifted in music, went to graduate school, and became a music teacher. There's a strong link between ADHD and pesticides, here's an excerpt from WebMD: "At least one in 10 American kids has attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, or ADHD. And a recent study published in Pediatrics did find an association between pesticide exposure and ADHD.

Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health studied 1,139 children ages 8 to 15, about 10% of whom had ADHD. All of the children submitted a urine specimen for testing. The urine of children with ADHD had significantly higher levels of byproducts of organophosphates, a class of insecticides that acts on insects' brains and nervous systems. And the higher the level of these byproducts in the urine, the greater the chance the child had ADHD.

Some ways to limit that exposure include buying locally grown fresh produce in season and then washing it carefully. And consider opting for organic versions of produce that tends to carry the most pesticide residues, including peaches, apples, cherries, imported grapes, strawberries, blueberries, celery, bell peppers, spinach, kale, collard greens, and potatoes."

**** From Straw: We shop at Walmart, Sam's club, and Trader's Joe ... they carry organic produce at cheap price. I stopped breast-feeding my daughter when she was 3, and fed her foods that she's allergic to: dairy, raisins, apple juice (heavy with pesticides), dirty-dozen produce. Drastic change in behavior at three: she didn't sleep well, could not nap, yelled & screamed.

The pattern repeated itself this past summer (she's 11), when she was heavily into raisins, like 3/4 cup per day. She didn't sleep well with anger-outbursts. Then it developed into neck spasm, she could not talk with severe stuttering, right after raisin-snack. I cut out raisins (has sulfur dioxide as preservative), plus switched to orange juice and organic foods. She recently turned 12, is in the gifted program (30 kids from the district), and talks fluently before bed-time.

Here is a link that might be useful: WebMD on pesticides and ADHD

This post was edited by Strawberryhill on Wed, Oct 8, 14 at 10:45
Errant_gw
11 years ago
I can't offer any advice, other than to make sure you discuss it with her pediatrician so that he can test for things like Autism, Aspergers, ADHD, etc.

Our grandson is 4 1/2 and the same way. Understands everything said, but speaks mostly in gibberish. His parents ignored it for too long, worried about him being "labeled." Finally they have sought some help, and were able to get some help in the way of state run pre-school and speech therapy (they are low income). There has been some improvement since he began :)
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Chris Payne
11 years ago
One of my best friend's daughter was similar. They started noticing problems between 1-2 years old...not only did she have speech problems, but she was also very small for her age. She actually didn't grow at all for quite a span of months.

Today, her daughter is 8 and she's still behind, but she's light years beyond where she used to be. She's such a happy little girl too, enjoys playing with other kids, and doesn't have social problems.

The best thing they did for her was early therapy. Look into options from your public school. Surprisingly they usually have some great programs and get a lot of funding from the government for diagnosing and rehabbing this sort of thing...they usually also provide dedicated faculty support. In fact, the private school my friend sent her kids too could not compete with the public school assistance, so she switched to public.

And my friend is a "troubled children" teacher too.

She's also experimented with different pesticide- and chemical-free foods too and she swears those have helped, but I don't buy that story as much as I do the actual physical treatment.

My recommendation: research your therapy options as soon as possible. There's a lot of free stuff out there, and there's a lot of financial assistance programs as well.
strawchicago z5
11 years ago
Hi Regansmom: When my daughter was 3, the neighbor thought that she was mentally retarded since she didn't talk much. She read the entire book at 4, and was the only one in her kindergarten class that knew how to read.

The public school was excellent in providing my kid with speech-therapy, plus social worker, plus psychologist. However, that didn't help her speech, she was lagging behind into extreme stuttering at 11-year-old. It was only when I cut out the raisins & pesticides that she STOPPED stuttering & muscle spasm & uncontrollable neck-twitching, & extreme anxiety. Now at 12, she talks fluently and is catching up.

Here's info. from NBC News.com: "A 2008 U.S. Pesticide Residue Program Report found detectable concentrations of one organophosphate alone, malathion, in 28 percent of frozen blueberries, 25 percent of strawberries, and 19 percent of celery sampled. (Malathion is also commonly sprayed out of airplanes and onto communities as part of mosquito-control programs. Organophosphate pesticides, also found in some flea and tick products, have been tied to childhood leukemia, and are believed to be partially responsible for colony collapse disorder, which is killing off honeybees."

**** From Strawberryhill: A few studies linked mental illness & depression to allergies in food. It's interesting that drugs for depression are similar to antihistamine drugs. I have hay fever & came down with ragweed & cantaloupe cross-reaction: could not breathe, could not sleep .... The anti-histamine Benadryl-Decongestant helped me tremendously to sleep & be happy. Here's an excerpt from link below:

" A great number of drugs used in today's psychiatry are very similar in composition to antihistamines, which are commonly used in the treatment of allergies. For example tricyclic and related antidepressant drugs, such as imipramine (Tofranil) and Amitriptyline are also known to suppress brain histamine receptors. In addition, the following drugs used in the treatment of psychosis and related disorders are also known to inhibit brain histamine production: phenothiazine derivatives, such as chlorpromazine (Largactil), promazine (Sparine), Thioridazine etc. Furthermore promethazine, which is used in the treatment of anxiety and related disorders, is also commonly used in the treatment of allergies59. The fact that antihistamine-like drugs are widely used in the treatment of various mental disorders suggests that some mental problems could indeed be allergenic in origin."

http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/brainallergies.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: NBC news on pesticides link to ADHD
strawchicago z5
11 years ago
Fish oil is used to treat ADHD. See below link. Question: I just heard about a study showing that fish oil supplements are more effective than Ritalin for kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). True? What would you recommend?

Dr. Andrew Weil: "The study you mention was done at the University of South Australia. Researchers there tested a combination of omega-3 fish oil and evening primrose oil (an omega-6 oil) on 132 children with ADHD, ranging in age from seven to 12. After the 30-week study ended, almost half the parents reported that their children's symptoms were improved.

For the first 15 weeks of the study, the kids were divided into three groups. One group took the fish oil/primrose oil combination; the second took the same combination plus a multivitamin/mineral supplement and a third group took a placebo. For the second 15 weeks, the kids on the placebo got the fish oil/primrose oil combination plus the multivitamin/mineral as well. The result: a 40-50 percent improvement in behavior for the two 30-week fish-oil groups, and a 30-40 percent improvement for the 15-week group. Compared with results of studies of Ritalin and Concerta, the drugs most often prescribed for ADHD, they found that fish oils were more effective.

I'm not surprised by the positive results. Levels of omega-3s in the plasma and red blood cells of children with ADHD are lower than in kids who don't have the disorder. For this reason, my colleague, Tucson pediatrician Sandy Newmark, M.D., has been recommending omega-3 supplements for all kids with ADHD for some time. I've often referred questions about treating kids with ADHD to Dr. Newmark and incorporated his advice in my responses on this site." Dr. Andrew Weil.

**** From Strawberryhill: I read through 500+ reviews on fish oil on Amazon and found many reports of success in using that for ADHD. Below is an excerpt from a review on Amazon on Carlson liquid fish oil, lemon flavor:

"my husband was skeptical at first, but now he complains if i dont give it to him. he says he feels less fatigued at work. my 2.5 yr old son (who had zero words at 18 months) has been progressing rapidly. he now talks in sentences. he has also calmed down a lot. i am a mommy of two- and feel more sharp when i take the oil. was it the fish oil? there's no real way to tell... but i know it's healthy, so i feel good about giving it to my family."

Here is a link that might be useful: Dr. Andrew Weil on fish oil to treat ADHD
User
11 years ago
Speech therapy is not covered by insurance and it is expensive. Has anyone had a similar situation, and how did you deal with it?

You are assuming she needs speech therapy - has that been professionally confirmed?

Before you start with the special diets and supplements and such, based on advice from strangers on the internet who studied at the U of Google ....

Almost any speech therapist will know what resources are available for screening children's hearing and speech ... call one and ask for a resource list. If they don't know, ask who is likely to know and then call them.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
11 years ago
The first thing to do is find out if there is actually a problem or if she so far hasn't needed to talk. Sometimes if a child can make their needs known easily without, s/he doesn't see a need. Talk to your pediatrician, and call the local public school. The school where I used to teach had a program for kids starting at age 3, and I am fairly certain that this is a federally mandated obligation, so if there were questions about a child's progress with language, social interaction, physical milestones, etc., testing was done and any remediation could be started. Language development has windows of opportunity that will close beyond certain ages, so you don't want to just let this slide in case it is a developmental issue.
strawchicago z5
11 years ago
Hi Lazygarden: Let's make this clear. I have a B.S. degree in Computer Science, minor in chemistry, graduated in 1986 from Grand Valley State University, MI. I also took Biochemistry, Organic chemistry, Pathophysiology, Child-development, and Abnormal Behavior Psychology. I'm also a Mom of a 12-year old who had speech-problem since she was 3.

Lazygarden: What university did you graduate from, and are you a parent of a child with developmental problems? ReganMom, the poster of this thread, specifically asked "Has anyone had a similar situation, and how did you deal with it?"

If you look at Amazon reviews on Carlson liquid fish oil, most recommended by M.D. to lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides, you'll see this review by a parent: http://www.amazon.com/Carlson-Finest-Liquid-Omega-3-Lemon/dp/B001LF39RO

"our family has been using carlson's fish oil for many months now. i initially purchased it bc my son's speech therapist told me that a couple of her student's parents swore by the stuff. they say it's good for brain development. i was curious to try it out. i ended up giving it to the whole family (a spoonful in juice/milk/smoothie) every morning for health reasons."

This is from livestrong.com: http://www.livestrong.com/article/353655-fish-oil-for-a-toddler-with-speech-developmental-delays/

Cognitive Benefits

Omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain. They are important for brain function and may be effective for improving thinking skills. According to Special Kids Today, fish oil may improve language skills and eye contact in children with apraxia of speech, which is characterized by difficulty planning and producing the movements needed for speaking. Although there is no substitute for speech therapy, your child's doctor may recommend combining fish oil supplements with therapy.

Below is another Mom who posted on CircleofMom, see link below: Michele - posted on 10/20/2012 "Hi we have had good luck with using Omega 3 supplements with our daughter. She was diagnosed at 2 with dyspraxia and SPD. She did not talk until she was 5. She is 15 now and talks your ear off. But we are still working on sentence lenght and clarity as her misarticulations are a result of a habit,

We started using the Omega 3 about 3 years ago and we can tell when she is consistantly taking them and when she is not... She speaks clearer and with more words in a sentence.

For those who are starting the road of therapy I offer that I would be happy to chat at anytime. Or answer any questions...we have done it all. I also offer that I have a website that tells more about Elizabeth and her journey for those interested. www,michelegianetti.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Omega-3 helping with apraxia

This post was edited by Strawberryhill on Fri, Oct 10, 14 at 16:55
User
11 years ago
regansmom,
I asked the doctor about my 2 1/2 year old too.
He pointed alot, but really didn't talk much.
I had 2 older kids, he was the baby.
The doctor said he didn't talk because he didn't have to.
I asked what he meant, and he said, notice next time when he wants something, everyone gets it for him.
The doctor said he can talk, he just doesn't have to talk.
So, I went home and for the first time I saw what was going on.
He pointed to what he wanted, and we all just got it for him. He could talk, your daughter can talk, she speaks to you.
So I told my older kids to make him say what he wanted from then on. Seriously, it took a bit of practice on our part, I was doing it too. I admit it.
When we sat down to eat, I made him ask for food. By the name, and then put some on his plate.
WHen he pointed to the juice on the table, I said what do you want? Do you want juice? Say it, and when he did, I gave it to him.
Sounds funny, but you get used to subconsciously doing things for others, your whole family does, and then they go with the flow. LOL
Just wanted to share that with you.
loves2read
11 years ago
some pediatricians don't like to be the bearers of bad news--
I say that as mom whose son had classic symptoms of Hodgkin's Lymphoma for several months while his pediatrician and the ENT we were referred to kept dicking around with antibiotics for his swollen lymph nodes--totally worthless...a chest x-ray which I requested was deemed "too dangerous"--

we finally wound up having a fairly dangerous surgical biopsy for him which did fnally convince the "doctors" that our son had Hodgkin's--which we were convinced was the answer...
When we finally saw the pediatric cancer specialist, first thing he did was order chest xray done = which showed the classic Hodgkin's givenway--
the chain of pearls in the chest cavity from enlarged/cancerous lumph nodes- having a chest xray two months ago would have shown the same evidence, been cheaper, and wouldn't have required surgery in a dangerous nerve locus...even back then higher fees were often a driving concern to doctors--

GO TO ANOTHER DOCTOR--We should have done that but frankly were intimidated by the doctors' attitudes and patronizing--
I know doctors don't intimidate me now--but it was hard way to learn--

and whle anyone is free to give his/her child homeopathic cures==
PLEASE understand that what worked for your child (and maybe many others) may have NOTHING to do for the OP's child--
she may be perfectly fine--
Einstein didn't speak until he was older--didn't turn out so bad....

None of us are a doctor no matter how educated (in or out of school) and successful at self-diagnosing--
Everyone is basically a "ghost" since we are not personally known to anyone reading the posts...
anyone is free to discount or challenge comments--or agree with you.
Don't take these comments so seriously...no one you know made them...
strawchicago z5
11 years ago
Hi Loves2read: I agree with you 100%, we don't need to have a degree to help OUR OWN CHILD. I write to share what helped with my child's speech delay & stuttering. I also shared what helped my nephew's ADHD. I speak for myself, rather than for others.

That's in response to what Lazygarden wrote: "You are assuming she needs speech therapy - has that been professionally confirmed? Before you start with the special diets and supplements and such, based on advice from strangers on the internet who studied at the U of Google ...." Lazygarden.

Fish-oil is well-known for brain-development, also with speech. Here's an excerpt from below link:

"Overall, the results indicated that three factors can help raise a childÃ¢ÂÂs IQ:
1.Giving pregnant women and newborns omega-3 fish oil boosted childrenÃ¢ÂÂs IQ by more than 3.5 points.
2.Enrolling an economically disadvantaged child into an early education program raised his or her IQ by more than four points; programs with a language focus raised a childÃ¢ÂÂs IQ by more than seven points.
3.Interactive reading Ã¯Â¿Â½Ã¯Â¿Â½" in which parents engage their children while reading with them Ã¯Â¿Â½Ã¯Â¿Â½" was linked to an IQ score over six points higher than the control group. Interactive reading did not measurably help children over four years old.

The idea that omega-3s exert positive effects on kidsÃ¢ÂÂ IQs makes sense from a biological standpoint. Long-chain omega-3s from fish Ã¯Â¿Â½Ã¯Â¿Â½" especially DHA Ã¯Â¿Â½Ã¯Â¿Â½" are essential to brain/nerve cell structure and functions Ã¢ÂÂ¦ and the body cannot easily produce DHA from plant sources of short-chain omega."

http://www.rejuvenation-science.com/n_fish-oil_iq.html

"Eating more than 340 grams of omega-3-rich seafood per week during pregnancy was associated with higher verbal intelligence quotient (IQ) scores in children, says a new study.

The new research, published February 2007 in The Lancet, compiled data from 11,875 pregnant women taking part in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The women completed food frequency questionnaires to assess seafood consumption, and the development, behavior, and mental function of the children were measured from age six months to eight years."

Here is a link that might be useful: Foods that help with brain development

This post was edited by Strawberryhill on Fri, Oct 10, 14 at 19:56
loves2read
11 years ago
OK--Since you didn't seem to understand my meaning--
you have given your opinion--
enough...
Brittie - La Porte, TX 9a
11 years ago
My daughter didn't speak at 2, but she DID NOT understand what was being said to her. No pointing, no labeling, didn't know her own name. She walked on her tip toes, flapped her hands and only spoke in babble. We got a referral for early intervention (it was free) from her pediatrician and they had several therapists visit her weekly until she turned 3. It helped so much! She still only had a handful of words then, but it was a light in the dark. When evaluated by the school at 3, they determined that she was autistic with some pretty obvious sensory issues (she can't stand noise, needs to be constantly moving etc).

I think it's a very good sign that your daughter understands you, and doesn't have obvious autism stims. She could just be a late talker. From what you say, I don't see any big red flags or anything. I would ask your pediatrician and go from there. Let me add too, that everything will be okay no matter what. :)
cloudy_christine
11 years ago
I recommend reading the book "Late-Talking Children" by the economist Thomas Sowell. His son did not talk until he was almost four.

Here is a link that might be useful: Late-Talking Children

My three-year-old daughter doesn't talk

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