Recently Answered Questions
All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.
1-year-old baby has not started saying any word. Is this a sign of autism?
Query: Hello doctor, My 1-year-old son has not started saying any word like mama or dada yet and I am worried. It could be sign of autism, though he turns when his name is mentioned, plays with his siblings, etc. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Even though the child turns when his name is mentioned I would advise you to first get a hearing screening done to rule out hearing issues. Next, about the autism. Generally autism cannot be diagnosed in children below the age of 3 years. So it would be very harsh to la... Read Full »
Why is my 3 year old speaking only very few words?
Query: Hello doctor, My son is 3 years old. He is not speaking like other children of the same age. He is speaking very few words. What do I do? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. He has probably not interacted verbally enough with family members and other children of his age. Presuming his hearing capacity is normal, the above mentioned might be the reason. Please interact with him more often in the form of talking to him and storytelling wh... Read Full »
Can occupational therapy help a child affected by meningitis at birth achieve normal activities?
Query: Hi doctor, My 1.5-year-old son got meningitis at the time of birth. After 21 days of taking antibiotics, he got recovered. Now, he is not able to stand and speak. We did an MRI. It shows an impression of cystic encephalomalacia changes and gliosis in bilateral frontal white matter on right. There is... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your son got meningitis at birth. His MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) findings show brain damage caused due to infection. There is a rare chance for your son to be a normal child. With physiotherapy, he can try to achieve normal activities. Your son will have a develop... Read Full »
My daughter does not respond when called. Could she be autistic?
Query: Hello doctor, My daughter is 25 months old and does not react to her name and does not play with toys appropriately. She only lines them up and does not want anyone to play with the toys. If you show her how to play with them, she takes them off someone’s hand and lines them up again. She does not... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. Yes, delayed language development, the likeness of sameness, lining toys, and not reacting to names could be early symptoms of autism. I need information about the following to assist further. Does she make eye contact... Read Full »
My toddler does not talk but uses action. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, My 27-month-old toddler is not saying much. When he wants something he will use his hand to get it or use my fingers instead of his to point to a picture or words in a book. He skeals and shouts a lot when he is excited. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. As reported by you, we need to evaluate the hearing of your child by an audiologist. If he does not have any kind of hearing loss. Further, you have to consult a speech therapist nearby or online for detailed evaluation and treatment. There are a lot of factors... Read Full »
Is it normal for a 3-year-old not to communicate through complete sentences?
Query: Hi doctor, I have a 3-year-old daughter. She is 25.35 lbs in weight and 2.92 feet in height. She can play, run and tell entire rhymes, but she cannot form her language to communicate. She often repeats the whole statement or questions. She can follow instructions like "bring that ball" or "give me t... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. This is a prevalent query, and the answer is not simple. I have seen several children with this complaint, and most of them acquire normal speech as they grow. These children primarily interact with parents by hand signs. A more straightforward thing I say to parents is... Read Full »
Why does my 2.4 years old son only says a few words clearly?
Query: Hi doctor, My son is 2 years and 4 months old and he is not talking as expected. He speaks few words but it is not clear. He speaks mummy and daddy clearly. If he does not like something, he says no. I am concerned. He is not speaking basic words and sometimes, he just looks at people talking in fro... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You are worried about the delay in speech. It is good to hear that he is saying single words clearly and he is using two-word phrases. Please mention whether you have checked his ears and hearing are normal. Please mention whether his motor development and social develo... Read Full »
What could I do to help my 3-year-old son to increase his vocabulary?
Query: Hello doctor, My oldest son is 3 years old. He understands everything you say to him, but he refuses to talk. He used to say a variety of words and now he only does animal noises and a handful of words. I would like to know what I could do in order to encourage his vocabulary or if I should be worri... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. It seems like a regression of speech is there with normal receptive skills and affected expressive skills. Rather than finding the cause now focus on how to improve the condition. Apps are good but not in the initial stage. Start with some interesting real-life activiti... Read Full »
My 26-month-old child had two words till 18 months and none after that. Is this autism?
Query: Hello doctor,I am a mother of a 26-month-old boy. He usually developed until around 18 months then began falling behind. He had maybe two words by 18 months, and now he has none at all. We strongly suspect he has autism (many red flags present, MCHAT score of 13) and are working towards getting him ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Many times in autism, the language is not lost the sensory issues, and the attention deficits are so higher that the child fails to pay attention to speech. Language is based mainly on attention and imitation. In many autism cases, the need to express is hampered, an... Read Full »
Why is a 2-year-old not speaking properly?
Query: Hello doctor, My daughter is 2 years old. Now, she is speaking only 3 to 4 words. She is not talking like other children. Please tell me if she has any kind of disorder. I have been to the doctor once and he told nothing to worry. After 2 years only they can speak. But my elder daughter spoke when s... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I got your concern. Based on the above history, my comments are: 1. I think she can listen and understand but there is a problem with expression. 2. Her weight is low according to age, so give her more energy rich food to gain weight. 3. Let her play with same age... Read Full »