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As a child, Einstein seldom spoke. When he did, he spoke very slowly - indeed, he tried out entire sentences in his head (or muttered them under his breath) until he got them right before he spoke aloud. According to accounts, Einstein did this until he was nine years old. Einstein's parents were fearful that he was retarded - of course, their fear was completely unfounded!
One interesting anecdote, told by Otto Neugebauer, a historian of science, goes like this:
As he was a late talker, his parents were worried. At last, at the supper table one night, he broke his silence to say, "The soup is too hot."
Greatly relieved, his parents asked why he had never said a word before.
Albert replied, "Because up to now everything was in order." (Source)
In his book, Thomas Sowell [wiki] noted that besides Einstein, many brilliant people developed speech relatively late in childhood. He called this condition The Einstein Syndrome.
More on the Einstein Syndrome (not that this is the issue with this particular child but don't automatically assume the non-talkers are low IQ or disturbed or deaf)
The Einstein Syndrome describes children who are exceptionally bright and exceptionally slow to develop the ability to speak. In addition to being intelligent, and unlikely to have a back-and-forth conversation before age four, these children often have some of the following commonalities1:
•Parents who are highly educated
•Strong musical gifts
•Many close relatives who are musicians
•An amazing ability to solve puzzles
•Lagging social development, thus leading to a misdiagnosis of autism
•Delayed toilet training abilities
•They are often boys
Sounds like neglect and lack of socialization. Kids of drug addicts often have severe speech delays. Who knows? But, he should at least be evaluated by a specialist.
I worked with two little girls, age 4 and 3, they barely talked, because they were abused when they talked, "bothering" their drug addict Mother. They just were parked in front of a TV all day.
How are his eating skills? These little girls ate like dogs, out of a bowl. They never even knew how to use a spoon.
I think he needs to be evaluated by a specialist to identify whatever issues he may have that are causing him to not be able to speak. A child at 3 should be able to communicate in full sentences. My 18 month old will say 2-3 word sentences (Let go, I'm all done, It's mine, etc. etc.).
If his mother refuses, I'd say she is guilty of medical neglect and I'd call the child protective services. (I'm a mandated reporter). Has this child even been seeing a pediatrician? I highly doubt that a doctor would not have noticed this and referred her to the appropriate services.
My bff/landlady has temporarily offered shelter to her son's ex-girlfriend, and her little boy (to another man and we live in a big house).
He's adorable, absolutely the cutest little thing - but he cannot say one word.
I'm racking my brains as to why this would be. Both of my kids were yapping away from birth, it seems.
He makes plenty of noise but its all wordless. He sounds like a monkey or something.
Not even mama or baba or anything at all recognisable...as though he has no tongue or something.
Any suggestions?
Get in touch with early intervention or the school system for an evaluation.
Ignore the Einstein sydrome people.
Einstein did not speak that late - he spoke at 2 when his sister was born. When he saw his sister for the first time, he is said to have thought she was a toy and he asked where her wheels were. He did have some speech difficulties and spoke more deliberately and more slowly than was normal, but that is NOT what you are describing here. Despite Thomas Sowell's book, the *einstein syndrome* is quite rare.
Does he understand what you say and follow simple directions? How many steps can he follow?
Was he tongue tied at birth? Has that been taken care of if so?
He might have hearing problems despite your own observations. Best to have him evaluated by an ENT who can see if there are subtle hearing problems.
He might have apraxia and not be able to get words from his brain to his mouth. He might have oral motor problems.
There are many possibilities. Have him evaluated by a professional or a team of professionals and get him the help he needs.
I think he needs to be evaluated by a specialist to identify whatever issues he may have that are causing him to not be able to speak. A child at 3 should be able to communicate in full sentences. My 18 month old will say 2-3 word sentences (Let go, I'm all done, It's mine, etc. etc.).
If his mother refuses, I'd say she is guilty of medical neglect and I'd call the child protective services. (I'm a mandated reporter). Has this child even been seeing a pediatrician? I highly doubt that a doctor would not have noticed this and referred her to the appropriate services.
I had the best pediatrician in town and he didn't think not speaking was a serious mental disorder or autism or anything. He even said it can run in families. No drugs, no nothing.
Actually you can find doctors who will come up with all kinds of diagnoses and drugs and therapies, others may not have talked until age 3 themselves, so you have to be careful what doctor you have check it out.
Yes, check out the hearing and other health issues, but don't automatically assume those who insist there is something seriously wrong with the child when they've never even met this child really know what they're talking about.
No one's asked the mum, it's a bit of a strange situation, I'm not really sure how they've even washed up here, homeless.
I'm amazed his crèche hasn't said something, but maybe they have and she's in denial.
He should be screened for Autism spectrum disorders. Have the mother call the local school system's main office, and ask for "early intervention screening" for a non-verbal 3 yr old.
Hi, I know that a lot of people are saying he COULD be fine. Yes, he COULD be. However, research and scientific evidence suggest that a child not speaking within normal child development could have a severe disability. Lack of language is usually the first identifier for many disabilities. His mother should contact the school district for Early Childhood Services to have him evaluated. Again, he COULD be okay, but that is less likely. If he does have a disability of any severity, the absolute BEST thing to do is evaluate and begin therapy as soon as possible. The earlier you begin therapy to "treat" any disability, the results could be exponentially better for the child and family.
My niece and nephew had serious speech delays, and they are doing better with early intervention. The 2nd grader has caught up to a 1st grade level now. The 3 and a half year old is now speaking 45+ words. The important thing is to have them checked for physical impairments and get speech intervention.
They are both above average in intelligence. The 2nd grader was reading by age 5, but not speaking.
I would be concerned and the child should already have been evaluated. It should not be ignored because some kids just talk later. There could be a lot of things going on that might be treatable or at least helped by some sort of early intervention.
I once saw a case where a mother went in with a very delayed child and they never suspected the child was severely developmentally disabled. I still can't figure out why. She really lost it when they had to tell her this. The little girl was 4 years old and I am sure that so many things could have been done to at least enhance her skills and quality of life.
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