My grandson doesn't talk

Makaton would.be a great help. It acts as.a.bridge into spoken language and cues the child to remember the word. Spoken word and sign are used together. There are courses for beginners and I think baby signing is similar. Makaton to produce books to help teach how o use sign it. It isn't complicated as it has been devised for people with learning disabilities., unlike BSL.

I wouldn't hesitate to get him checked out to see if there really are concerns that need to be addressed. Does he go to nursery/play school at all?

My 3 year old Grandson doesn't say any specific words either he can count and can point to objects, colours etcbut has no language. He is being assessed by speech and language therapist on a home visit soon, after,visited him at his nursery. Another Mum at nursery in a similar position, suggested teaching him Makaton. I'm thinking of learning the basics myself but not sure where to start. I'll be looking after him for a day a week soon, when his Mum goes back to work.

We (I went with DD as sil was working) were recently at DGD's 2 year check up at the premie clinic. She has come along well, developing a bit behind schedule on most things but now speech is her only delay.
She is almost 2.5yrs old now and has very few words although she does babble and understands everything, even complex things, said to her. She knows all her colours and can count, but not in language!!!

Speech & Language came along to assess her (the wee monkey instantly started performing to the audience!)and decided that she made enough sounds for her not to be worried as her understanding was excellent. They have sent out a referral for the local S&L team to follow her up though.

I would say that your grandson sounds like he will need some intervention. 2 is still young yet but it's unusual for him not to babble. Does he obey/carryout instructions? I think the Health Visitor is the one to see him first and she can refer him on.
Hopefully it'll all turn out fine!

We worried about one grandson who suddenly spoke clearly in sentences before he was 4, I think being with other children at nursery did the trick for him.

He sounds rather like my gs2. He didn't speak at all. He completely missed the baby babble. I took a little video of him playing with some boxes when he was about 18 months. He was completely silent. He is nearly 6 now and has some speech which is slowly improving. He has high functioning autism, is extremely bright and can take anything apart and put it back together. He loves anything to do with bi-planes, tri-planex and sea planes and wants a real tool set for his 6th birthday (his Mum says no to that).

I agree with other posters. Get him assessed as soon as you can but try not to worry. My own daughter (second child) hardly spoke at age 2 but her understanding was fine. Once she got going there was no stopping her! I found her lack of speech quite worrying as her older brother was very chatty at that age so I was comparing the two of them. We came to the conclusion that she didn't bother speaking because her brother did most of the talking for her.

If he makes good eye contact and uses non-verbal forms of communication (points to things, can bring you an object you ask for, waves goodbye etc.) then he may be simply a late talker. I would most definitely want to see a HV and set my mind at rest though. Has your daughter expressed concern?

It's not abnormal, especially in boys, for language skills to be under-developed around 2 years old. Does he show promise in other areas like holding crayons, building bricks and digging the garden? Sometimes other skills whoosh along almost to the detriment of others like talking or even walking, but it all levels out in the end. Boys are particularly stubborn and like to do things in their own time.

The most important question to ask is does he make eye contact? Absence of looking at someone in the eye can indicate a problem. Try to see how he responds to different expressions.

Does he go to a playgroup or nursery? Very often their speech comes on in leaps and bounds when they are with their peers and once he starts school he may well make good progress.

It is worrying for you, but your family will know best whether he needs assessing. I would let things tick on a bit longer then start suggesting a check with a health visitor, preferably one who has seen many children over many years.

This could be mentioned to GP/health visitor etc.It may come right of it's own accord, but shouldn't be left more than six months ( if nothing changes.)

I would seek out the health visitor rather than the GP they are probably more in tune with how to access child development support than GPs.

My son was a late talker but he was understanding everything.

I agree that it needs to be looked at by a professional. Sadly I don't think that speech therapy is readily available as it was when my son had similar problems. He used to throw things around a lot, mainly out of frustration from not being able to communicate, and still didn't talk properly when he started school..but he turned out to be fine. Maybe you could try to teach him sign language...I understand a lot of young mothers do that with babies now; it might ease the frustration caused by lack of speech.

Definitely think there is something amiss - muteness associated with lack of concentration and mood changes... Could be anything.
I would suggest that he is seen by the Health Visitor. If there is no joy, then go further up the ladder.
Do it NOW the longer you wait, the less easy it may be to help.
All the best - hugs

Hi gm4 I don't know the answer to your question 're learning difficulties but I can offer a comparison. My little grandson is 23 months and he doesn't really talk much either, although he does make lots of sounds and can make himself understood. He also understands and carries out instructions like "Take this to Mummy". I only have the one grandchild so can't compare.

There are people on GN who know about matters like child development and can probably offer opinion better than I can.

But I'd try and not worry too much at this stage if I were you, school is still quite a way off.

He is still young but is showing signs of difficulties. Could do with a visit to the doctor. Using Makaton could help him. Also short bursts of specific word teaching. Just focus on the same word when he is with you like " car" with a simple gesture you can repeat. Car sign is just a steering wheel movement...add a broombroom sound.. Anything if he only concentrates for a very short while at first.

Definitely needs a check up to put your minds at rest. Your daughter may need to be insistent.