3 yr old who can't / won't eat solid food

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Anyone have any experience of this?
My mum and I have been talking tonight about my cousins son, who we both believe has developmental delays and should be seen by the HV. He has only recently learnt to speak as well, but only repeats the same phrase. Aunt and Cousin refuse to see any professionals as they are too frightened. Does this ring any bells with anyone?
Thanks a lot

it is not uncommon for children to not say much until they are 3 or 4. he should be seen by a doctor though. my brother wouldn't eat anything and it turned out he had adenoids.

oh dear, what a shame that they won't seek any professional help. is he due to start nursery, as they should hopefully be able to get someone to come in and advise. One thing that does ring a bell (but of course this is pure guess work) is verbal dyspraxia. This is where the mouth muscles are weak, so this causes problems with speaking as well as eating. I would say 36 months rather than any older as being the limit of normal "late talking" (i.e. late talking that resolves itself through course of time).

could cousin be persuaded to take him for a hearing test? as of course hearing problems can be a very basic physical cause of speech problems.

Thanks for your thoughts...
Actually this is a very difficult situation in our family.
to be brief, mother (my cousin) has mental health problems which have led to drugs, prostitution and violence. she abandoned baby when he was only a few weeks old . My Aunt (grandmother) is now full time carer.
She is very frightened to find out anything, due to the experiences she had with her daughter I guess. My mum and I are trying to help and support her but it is extremely difficult.
To my mind, the little boy definitely has difficulties and needs to be assessed but my Aunt is not being entirely truthful with us about what he can do.
We didn't realise until very recently that he will not eat any solid food at all. When he puts it in his mouth he gags quite severely. the phrase he says is " I'm All right" over and over again, using different tones and intonation depending on if he's happy, sad, cross etc.
We really don't know what to do tbh...
Any other thoughts greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Definitely needs an assessment - they would start with the obvious for that age group - check hearing... speeech needs to be looked into - the repetitive phrase could be a sign of one of two possibilities... autism or speech and language needs - as a previous poster said verbal dyspraxia - some could be environmental if there is a history of "neglect" which could be addressed through speech therapy and socialisation. Speech therapy can address socialisation for both delay in receptive language or in expression... Autism spectrum disorders could be quite mild the repetitive behaviours are quite common. convince your aunt he needs help... the sooner he gets it the easier it is to address and he may catch up to his peers ... is she worried he'll be taken off her? As generally if he's taken care of they don't - they just support. Maybe that's why she's in denial?

the sad thing is that my Aunt insisted for years there was something wrong with her daughter but couldn't get any professional help other than a prescription of prozac.
I think this is why she won't see anyone

.

Thanks for bumping me total chaos...

Could you offer to arrange an appointment and go with her?

I'd love to but unfortunately she's in NI and I'm in Kent.
Have to think of another way to persuade her...