How is difficulty in speaking managed in a 2-year-old?

Question

Hello doctor,

My son is 2 years old. He can only say a few words like mama, papa, nana, and so on, and he cannot clearly speak his mother tongue. However, when asked, he can point to objects clearly and recognize his close relatives. We have tried to teach him more words, but with no success. Can you help identify the problem? Does he require counseling?

Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Firstly, I would like to know if his motor milestones are adequate. If they are not, please have his hearing evaluated by an audiologist. He might have mild or moderate hearing loss. Although he points to objects when asked, he could still have a hearing issue that goes unnoticed.

Do both of you work? If so, he might not be receiving enough exposure to his mother tongue, which could affect his language development. It is essential to talk to babies to support their language development. Additionally, temper tantrums and stubborn behavior can sometimes lead to language delays. Check for a tongue-tie as well, as it may cause difficulty in speaking. Consult a speech therapist for a thorough evaluation and treatment.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at icliniq.

Thank you.