Is this normal 2yo behavior?

[whereintheworld]

I'd go in sooner and ask for a hearing test.

[ssmjlm]

20-24m was a bit rough b/c it was right before a big language explosion for us. I mean, no joke, when we went to Disney just a few days after her birthday it was like BAM sentences.

And my kid never listens, unless you say chocolate or cookie these days.

[Ashley&Scott]

Does she ignore when you talk about things she enjoys? (like do you want to read a book, go to the park, eat a snack, etc)

[lilac05]

There's no way to tell without seeing her, obviously. But from what you've described, I think it's worth following up on.

Between now and her well-check, write down specific examples of times where you felt she wasn't understanding or didn't hear you (vs times when she's like a typical 2 year old who chooses not to listen). If you turn on a favorite toy in another room, will she go find it? What about if it's behind her? Does she point to things in books when you name them? Two year old behavior is tough, since sometimes they CAN, but WON'T. Sometimes you just have to observe a lot and trust your gut. I usually feel like I can see it in a kid's eyes whether it's behavioral, hearing, or language processing.

[antoniamarchette]

I say normal. Ds is so defiant lately and definitely ignores me when asked to stop doing something.

[abs]

I'd call an ENT and ask for a hearing test. DD had some of the same issues and turns out she had fluid in ears causing hearing loss. So, when I thought she was ignoring me she truly couldn't hear.

The tubes helped. She still needed speech therapy to help her catch back up though.

I'd be concerned about not understanding what you are saying, honestly. It could be related to not hearing but maybe not. I'd ask for a referral to EI or for a speech eval at your two year appointment.

[dcrunnergirl52]

Does she respond to her name? Does she look toward loud noises?

DS1 had receptive and expressive language delays. At 18m, he had zero words and didn't even understand his name. I thought maybe he had a hearing issue, but he loved toys that played music. He had a hearing test, and passed that. We had him evaluated by EI, and he had the receptive language of a 6-9 month old, and the expressive language of a 10-month old.

I'm not sure why he was delayed but after a few months of therapy, his receptive language caught up, and then his expressive language came after that. By 2.5 year olds--a year later--he was all caught up and even ahead of where he should be.

[Deleted]

Well I sometimes say it's like my 3 year old doesn't have ears... But if you're concerned get her checked out

[thebreakfastclub]

I think you are right to be concerned.

[Deleted]

My kid didn't start just full on ignoring me until like 3.5. Before that he would always reply and then do the opposite. It can't hurt to bring up this at her 2 year appointment.

[kershnic]

I hate this game. We have been analyzing it too... Planning to request further hearing screening at their 18m visit tomorrow. There was a hearing screen questionnaire in the EI packet, do you want me to look for it and type it up? Something similar is likely available via google too.

dcrunnergirl52 it's really good to hear your story about your son.

[Deleted]

DS was a later talker but I now understand language explosion which has just picked up in the last 2 months. I know that in general C has typically been a couple weeks later than E so I thought I'd throw that out there.

One thing that made me less concerned with E was that I knew he had good receptive language. I could ask him what certain things were and he would point to them if he was willing to play along (which is much less these days because, toddler shenanigans). Does she enjoy reading with you? Does she respond to the book even if it's not in words? Does she try and interact with the TV at all?

In your case I'd probably keep a close eye on your concerns and maybe try to move your well visit up a week or so.

[Deleted]

If you get down to her level and make her look in your eyes and at your face when you talk to her does she understand then? Sometimes I have to literally make DS TOUCH my nose with his finger and look at it so he is looking at me while I am talking.

[Ashley&Scott]

I would try this Ages & Stages questionnaire, if she doesn't score well in communication then I would lean towards setting up an EI evaluation. It can take time to get the ball rolling with EI, when M had his eval I think they were scheduling a few weeks out.

[Deleted]

I agree. I'd get that checked.

DS isn't that much younger than C. DD is older.

Both go through phases where they choose not to listen, but I know it's delibrate. Like they'll keep going with a ridiculous grin on their face, run away, say no, do something. So I always knew they understood me, they were just choosing not too.

If I had any concerns they weren't truly understanding I'd get it looked at for sure.

[Deleted]

This doesn't sound typical to me after reading through all of your follow up answers but this age does make it difficult. At first just not listening to you I was thinking behavioral. But not identifying objects in books or understanding what you say when you are right in front of her sounds like it may be a receptive language issue.

I generally err on the side of caution especially with speech because early intervention is so important. Since its free to have an evaluation I don't see the down side. Either you find a delay and are getting the help they need or you don't and you have the peace of mind knowing it's just normal toddler stuff.

Also, If you know she has an expressive language delay I'd be more inclined to bring up your concerns now than later. Because it my may be that the expressive delay is stemming from a receptive delay. If she doesn't understand things she won't be able to pick them up and use them herself via her expressive language. I hope that makes sense. Obviously I'm not a speech expert just speaking from what I've picked up working with my kids and the slp.

Eta: and all of it may stem from hearing issues too. So I'd bring it up.

[arebee]

DD is a bit younger but I think I'd be concerned in this situation. DD can't talk yet but I can still tell if she has heard me and is just choosing not to listen. The other day she was playing with a reusable sticker and putting it in her mouth. I asked her not too do that and she didn't acknowledge that I had said anything but stuck the sticker further in her mouth. Clearly she's just messing with me. Or like PP said she'll make her mischievous face and run away. I can also tell she understands because she will do simple tasks like bring me specific items or do things like touch her nose or stick out her tongue if we ask.

[jr009j]

Contact your school district's early intervention program and ask if they do free hearing tests. I'm not sure if it's universal, but our school district does free yearly hearings exams for under 5s.

[Cicero]

M is really big in selective hearing. Sometimes he completey ignores me. Sometimes he looks up and says, "yeah!" to whatever I asked. He's nowhere near verbal enough to express that he has heard me and is choosing to do the opposite.

ETA: I can tell he understands me when he's not verbally responding though. Half the time he thinks its funny and laughs and most of the time he makes eye contact and I can tell from the look on his face.

[abs]

Some of your follow up also concerns me. It's never normal to lose skills. Bring up any concerns about regression to your pedi at your appointment next month.

How is her joint attention? Does she share things of interest with you?

[pb127]

Aug 26, 2015 14:21:13 GMT -5 swizz said:

Aug 26, 2015 14:07:34 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

If you get down to her level and make her look in your eyes and at your face when you talk to her does she understand then? Sometimes I have to literally make DS TOUCH my nose with his finger and look at it so he is looking at me while I am talking.

I do usually do this b/c of the not listening stuff. See I'm certain if I told her to touch my nose she wouldn't understand.

She use to be able to name some and identify by pointing, most body parts, but won't do any of that now (probably just toddler shenanigans though, lol)

All of what you've written sounds EXACTLY like my DD, especially this. We tried to have her evaluated for EI but the wait was really long and they said It didn't sound like (from my description) that she was far enough behind in her expressive language to qualify. We endEd up doing private speech therapy and it has helped so, so much. We started with our wonderful SLP in June (we had a previous one we didn't gel with and didn't make any progress with) and now she is speaking in short phrases and mini conversations,and catching up fairly quickly!

It helped with the tantrums due not being able to communicate, the seeming to not listen (she still ignores sometimes now but it is getting better and seems to be more on purpose, not because she can't communicate), and in what seemed like was dropping of skills like you've written here. She still remembered all the body parts and all that but just wasn't saying them anymore for some reason. Now she says them all (the ones from before) and more she must have learned but not practiced before she started ST. Her language explosion is hitting now, and I really feel like it's because of our SLP. I really encourage you to go for an eval either through EI or privately. Best of luck!!

[minzy]

swizz, I would call your state's Infants and Toddlers today to get the ball rolling and maybe save yourself three weeks either way (of therapy or peace of mind).  I agree with @Ashley&Scott with checking with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire for 24 month olds... I have that bookmarked on my phone and check it periodically to see what I want to work on with DD2 in hopes she won't fail it at her next check.  

DD2 is a week or so younger than your daughter (also almost 2) and has been near the back end of the normal range for most things developmentally from the get go.  (We had her assessed at 16 months for communication and she was borderline delayed.  I deferred services because her older sister followed a similar path and is by all accounts a "typical" 4 year old - maybe even a little ahead verbally.)  DD2 has picked up a lot of things this summer, and I do not truly feel "worried," but I still think she's right near the cusp.  We're in the word explosion phase right now and I stopped counting words a few weeks ago when she hit about 60.  Still, I know she is behind where even my older one was at the same age, so I am still watching her like a hawk.  She sort of sings the ABCs (and several other songs), and is starting to recognize when a symbol is a letter (everything is "A"), all colors seem to be "yellow" or "purple," she can mimic counting to 10 but I do not think grasps true counting, we're not getting too far yet with shapes.  I can get good eye contact and she definitely likes to interact with us, but really she is constantly moving, so nothing is as focused as I'm used to with the older one.  She likes looking at books and will point out a few objects ("apple! duck!"), but she barely ever sits still, so reading time is challenging.  I can ask her to give something to her sister or throw it in the trash and she will comply, but if I ask her to come back to me from an open space (like a field this afternoon), she will not come of her accord at all.  (I do not think that is a hearing issue, I think it's her personality.)  Like you, I do not get the sense that when she does not do what I ask that she's deliberately trying to test limits.  I don't think she fully understands everything yet.  

I've been through the eval phase with both kids and it is really simple and painless.  Go for it.  

Oh, and DD2 hit me in the forehead with a book last night, so I hear you on the snow globe!

[lilac05]

After seeing the follow-ups, I'd call your Early Intervention program in your state & get the ball rolling. Depending on your state, you may not get in before your pedi appointment, but at least you can tell your pedi that it is scheduled.

Some pedis will hear your concerns and say "wait and see"...Please don't do this. You need to have someone who specializes in speech and language development (& hearing) take a closer look to see where she falls developmentally. Earlier is ALWAYS better.

It will probably help if you have a few examples of when she is choosing not to listen/do something, when you're concerned that she can not HEAR you, plus examples of when you're concerned she doesn't UNDERSTAND you. If your pedi sees that you recognize the difference, he/she may be less likely to blame it all on being 2.

Great job identifying a possible area of concern and doing something about it! She's lucky to have you!

[osulori]

Ditto lilac05, but I see you're already on the phone with ECI so awesome. You're right, it won't hurt anything and it's definitely better to address this sooner vs. later.

[auntie]

Aug 26, 2015 14:21:13 GMT -5 swizz said:

Aug 26, 2015 14:07:34 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

If you get down to her level and make her look in your eyes and at your face when you talk to her does she understand then? Sometimes I have to literally make DS TOUCH my nose with his finger and look at it so he is looking at me while I am talking.

I do usually do this b/c of the not listening stuff. See I'm certain if I told her to touch my nose she wouldn't understand.

She use to be able to name some and identify by pointing, most body parts, but won't do any of that now (probably just toddler shenanigans though, lol)

I'd talk to her pedi about your concerns. Did s/he run an MCHAT when she was 18 months old?

It's odd that her word count has remained where it was 9 months age.

Do you notice a pattern where she's more apt to ignore you when she is very focused on something- like the light up music toys? Does she play with other toys appropriately; like feeding a baby doll or cooking a meal at a play kitchen? Does she watch your face fr a reaction to her behavior or just not make contact? Does she point to things and then look back to be sure you see what she sees?

[kershnic]

swizz

Ok, I tried googling this hearing screen and can't seem to find it.   Please note that this is a HEARING screen, not a language development screening.  

these are all yes no questions. you're supposed to start at the set that related to the child's current age and then work backwards until you're at consistent yeses.

birth to 3 months
reacts to loud sounds
is soothed by your voice
turns head to you when you speak
is awakened by loud voices and sounds
smiles when spoken to
seems to know your voice and quiets down if crying

by 3-6 months
looks upward or turns toward a new sound
responds to no and changes in tone of voice
enjoys rattle and other toys that make sound
begins to repeat sounds such as ooh aaah and baba
becomes scared by a loud voice

6-10 months
responds to his/her own name, telephone ringing or a voice, even when not loud
knows words for common things (shoe, cup) and sayings (bye bye)
makes babbling sounds, even when alone
starts to respond to requests such as "come here"
looks at things or pictures when someone talks about them

by 10-15 months
plays with own voice, enjoying the sound and feel of it
points to or looks at familiar objects or people when asked to do so
imitates simple words and sounds, may use a few single words meaningfully
enjoys games like peekaboo and patacake

by 15-18m
follows simple directions such as "give me the ball"
uses words he/she has learned often
uses 2-3 word sentences to talk about and ask for things
knows 10-20 words

by 18-24m
understands simple yes-no questions
understands simple phrases (in the cup, on the table)
enjoys being read to
points to pictures when asked

by 24-36m
understands "not now" and "no more"
chooses things by size (big, little)
follows simple directions such as "get your shoes"
understands many action words (run, jump)

[kershnic]

I'm glad you're scheduling an evaluation, I think it's a good idea. We started the process about 2 months ago and DD is going to have her first speech therapy session next week. There's a series of hoops to jump through to find out if you qualify and then to get started if you do qualify. But I know it was scary for me to make the call and even scarier to deal with some of the results. Good luck.