My 31 month old doesn't speak at all?

[Eleckta82]

My son is 31 months old and he doesn't speak at all, on rare occasions he has said mam & dad but nothing much else. He is very noisy and his nonsense talk is sounding a lot more like words but still nothing. He appears to understand what we are saying, and communicates by taking your hand and walking you to what he wants and places your hand on the object he wants. He has been seeing a Speach and language therapist for a year now and he is in nursery, we have been told to look at the autistic spectrum, which I have done and he may show some autistic tendancies but some symptoms I feel couldn't be more opposite? He's not a stupid child at all and I only have to show him something once and he picks it up easily.
I sit with him and repeat words and try to get him to say something but he just giggles and refuses to even try to say something ?? He's a delightful pleasant loving little boy, the teachers at school tell me he's delightful. Any advise or ideas? Thanks in advance.

[Sandman2]

   boy, did the system let you down.  I think your GP is probably a good way to start.  A child not speaking at 3 should set off all kinds of warning signs to him.
   You have really tried to do all the correct things.
    How about any of the kids shows on television like Sesame Street?  That should also be helpful.
    I keep thinking hearing could be the problem.  How was the hearing test done and how long ago was it done?   If you ask him a question behind his back (where he can't see you) like, "do you want a cookie" (or whatever his favorite thing is).  Does he respond to that?

[Eleckta82]

Very sorry...to answer you question,no we don't speak two languages.
Thanks

[Eleckta82]

Thanks you so much for you comments, this is all very helpful.
The first time I felt like he was a little behind in his development, I asked the midwife to come to my home to see him, she then referred him to a Speach and language theripist, at first the lady called fairly regularly for the first few weeks, in total probably 5 one to one sessions, I was told that the theripist would be visiting my son at nursery instead of at my home, I had to sign a concent form, and assumed this was happening regularly. During this period of time he saw a specialist from a nutrition and dietetics department, an occupations theripist, had a written assessment by a paediatrician, (whom suggested I think about , Speach & language development, general development, and possible ASD) we also met with the educational psychologist, and he has had a hearing test.
When things calmed down a little I contacted my sons nursery to see how his Speach therapy was coming along because I had not heard from the lady in a while and was then informed that the "regular therapy" was actually a once a month visit to my sons nursery to see a number of children at the same time!
I have contacted the specialists on many many occasions, arranged a meeting at my sons school (to which the Speach therapist didn't bother turning up) I told them that I was not happy with the way things were going and we all agreed on a number of changes that would actually benefit my child, and since then I have not been able to get hold of anyone, the Speach and language dept left a message on my answer machine saying that the theripist had left!!!
I have since researched different ways that I can help him myself, I read to him and try and get him to copy little actions, I have real one on one time with him where I remove all distractions and get him to concentrate. Still I have no clue why he does not speak a word, I do feel like he has made some very good progress both at nursery and at home, he takes part in all activities and I can tell that he understands most of what we are saying, I feel like any day now he's going to ask a question or say a word!.. But he simply takes me by the hand and walks me to different places to show me what he wants.

I have a meeting set up in 2 weeks time, with the Speach and language theripist and I have also booked an appointment with my GP who might be able to give me some advise on where to go next!
My son is a loving extremely delightful beautiful little boy, I absolutely adore him and it brakes my heart to see him struggle

[Sandman2]

    Wow, that is certainly not how speech therapy is supposed to work.  That is sad.  Speech therapy involves constant practice.
    In terms of other things causing this, sometimes if two languages are spoken at home - the child can be slow to pick up either language.  This usually starts fading in elementary school, and typically two languages become an advantage.
   What other types of specialists have you seen?  and how long ago did you see them.   If the child was just one and a tich, then the lack of communication skills would not be as noticed.
     I think that what bothers me the most is that you need to figure out what is going on.  If you do speak two languages, then that will resolve itself with a little bit of help.  
    However, if its almost anything else, you could be missing valuable time in helping him.
    I am sure that you have looked at autistic symptoms, but here are two links that might be helpful - just in case.
             https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/symptoms
              http://www.webmd.com/brain/brain-disorders-injuries-9/autism?page=2
     Maybe ask his nursery school teachers if they can recommend another specialist or type of specialist.  This is not normal behavior.   Best wishes.

[Eleckta82]

Thank you for your comments.
I agree that the desision should not be made by one person, at the moment I don't think any of the therapists are in a position to diagnose my son as I don't beleive any of them have spent any real time with him, when I say he has been seeing a Speach therapist for a year, what this means is I first shared my concerns just over a year ago, he started seeing a therapist not long after, we were advised that a therapist would call almost every week so that if and when and if he is diognosed the people involved in the desision would have a full understanding of my child, this didn't happen, we has a therapist visit no more than five times and they were all before Christmas last year, he has seen many specialists but no one has helped us much. His nursery teachers have been very supportive and I spend a lot of time with him but the Speach therapist hasn't been regular at all.
I also think my son does have some autistic tendencies and originally I thiought he was autistic but I'm not so sure now.... He is 3 in December and still has not said anything, he expresses himself in his own ways and is very vocal but just noise. Is there anything else that could be causing this ?
Thank you  

[Sandman2]

   You know, autistic symptoms, are not an all or nothing thing.  You can be autistic by having just some of the symptoms and there is a huge range of autism.  One thing for sure is that autistic kids can be quite intelligent.  And, one thing that is definitely for sure, is that the sooner a child with any form of autism gets therapy - the better the chances are of full recovery.
   If he school or therapist recommended that you look at the autistic spectrum, I think that you should enlist the services of a professional.  This is too important a decision to be made by only one person.

[Eleckta82]

Yes he's had a hearing test, the test confirmed that his hearing is fine and is not relating to him not speaking.
Thanks  

[RockRose]

Since he's in speech therapy,  I'm sure his hearing has been tested?