I'm sorry to hear about these worries, heisenbergman - so difficult. Will be wishing your wife all the best - keep us posted. With Dave, I'd also say, at this point, don't worry about your daugther's preference not to speak. Many children do not speak much until 2 or even 3; for one of my close friends', all five of her incredibly bright, talented, verbal boys, who all excel in school and who are socially very much at ease with communication, did not really speak until they were 3.