My son is almost 3 years old and does not talk and sometimes tries to repeat words but is shy. do we need a speech therapist or wait to start naturaly?

Possible hearingprob: Enrolling him in daycare or a social program with other children his age, in addition to reading to him interactively will help speech development . The other possibility is a hearing problem. Your doctor can order a hearing test, assess for a history of illness, and assess development including motor skills. Speech therapists are important in providing additional support and knowledge.

Call Child Find of : your local school district for evaluation of overall development & for Autistic Spectrum Disorder to determine eligibility for Early Childhood Special Education. They screen hearing & vision; but pediatric audiology & ophthalmology exams are more accurate. Early language delays carry high risk of reading disability at school age. His pediatrician can refer for private evals & services, as well.