2.5 year old and speech development

[Excusemyfrench]

Hello :)

I am a little bit worried about my son's speech and I dont know whats 'ok' and what needs to be looked at. Would you mind giving me your advice and experience please?

My son is 2.5 and seems far behind compared to all his piers in terms of speech. I saw a speech therapist a few months ago (in april) when he was 2 and 2 months and he had about 10 words to his vocabulary. Now 5 months on he has many more, he repeats a lot of words but only the simple ones (2 syllables). He really struggles with long words. He has just started putting two words together so he will say BYE- MAMA or HELLO ANNA but thats about it. Sometimes he really tries but its like he just can't physically get the words out. I try and make him repeat a lot, we read, we play. Some sounds I have noticed he just cannot say like 'F' for example.

If he wants something he will make himself understood. He says he wants cookies when he is hungry. He says he is hurt and where when he is, he calls for his brother by his name when he needs him etc but its very very basic. The rets of time he babbles constantly, it sounds like arabic sounds actually its quite sweet. But its all babble.

I am seeing the speech therapist again in a month but my question is, do any mums out there have little ones who developed at the same rythme as mine?

I know he is just 2.5 and it is still so little.. Im just wondering as I see so many children the same age talking 'properly' i.e long formed sentences with a varied vocabulary and I wonder - should I worry?

Thank you very much for your help and advice,

[bobby81]

Hi, my dd was exactly the same & we saw a speech therapist who advised us to wait a few months & see how she got on (I think she was about 2.5 at the time) by the time we went back to the speech therapist dds speech had improved & we were discharged. She also had a hearing test which was normal.
She is now 5 and at school and her speech is fine although I can think of lots of kids her age who speak 'better' but it doesn't bother me because she was a late starter but getting there now.
I have to say I think it affected her social skills a bit but they are improving now too.
If your little one hasn't been for a hearing test recently it might be worth doing.
Hope that helps, I'm sure he'll get there soon x

[bobby81]

Just remembered that we also attended a group at our local children's centre designed to help children with their speech.
Dds nursery were supportive & helped her too so it's worth discussing with any childcare provider that you use x

[Excusemyfrench]

Hey Bobby! Thanks a lot for your post.
I m happy your little girl has caught up now and you feel more relaxed about it all.
I know all children develop at their own rhythm but its hard sometimes being around other children and seeing the gap widening.
We haven't done the ear test yet. I think his hearing is fine its never been an issue and if I whisper his name from a few meters away he will turn around but I guess thats not a proper test. Will get him to do it- thanks a lot for your advice!


Anyone else going through the same thing as me?

[albertcampionscat]

Am not expert, but here is the ages and stages questionnaire for 2 year olds. www.cannon.af.mil/Portals/85/documents/ASQ%2024%20Months.pdf

How is his receptive language

[Excusemyfrench]

Hi Albert !
So we filled this in at his 2 year review. He failed the speech section but passed everything else. He passed overall

Receptive language do you mean his understanding? Yes if I say ' lets go and pick your bother up, do you want to watch a moVie, do you want to go upstairs, shall we go to the park, put your shoes on' he knows what Im saying.

If I say things more complicated he sometimes doesnt understand me.

Thanks for the info ! And sorry Im going about this I cant help myself !

[albertcampionscat]

From what I've read (again not expert) if receptive language is ok then things usually work themselves out in time. Can you afford a private SALT assessment?

[ceara]

Hi OP. My son is about the same age (2 1/2). At 2.2 he had less than 5 words (so less than your son) though like your DS, his receptive language was fine. Over the last couple of months he has progressed rapidly and is now talking in short sentences and pretty much caught up with peers. So it can happen! It is very hard not to worry, though, when your child isn't talking and all his peers seem to be.

I think it's really encouraging that in the space of three months your son has gained so many new words and also the big next step of combining them. Our SLT said it's "normal" for children to start combining words once they have 50 or so and if he is following that pattern, it's a very hopeful sign. Is he starting to say more verbs? That helps with the word combining.

It's hard but focus on the progress he's made and less on what peers are doing - you know his speech is delayed, so it's now all about helping him make the best progress he can. And the recent progress says you must be giving him great support.

You're probably doing this anyway but strategies our SLT encouraged were:

1. Lots of 1-2-1 play time following his lead and narrating what he's doing, using simple phrases and repeating keywords ("we're eating bananas. Mmm, tasty bananas. I like bananas.")
   
2. Not pushing him to say words but doing lots of modelling what he might say (he points to a banana, you say "you'd like a banana?")
   
3. When he starts saying single words or two word combinations, repeat back modelling a longer phrase or sentence eg he says "car" you say "yes, we're getting in the car".
   
4. Praise him when he talks and give masses of encouragement!
   
5. Makaton or other supportive signing is good to practice 2-way communication if the words aren't coming.
   
6. The Hanen Centre's book "it takes two to talk" is a good and practical resource.
   
7. Write down his new words as he acquires them, it will be useful to the SLT.
   

Great that you are already in the system and due to see a SLT soon. A month isn't long. Good luck!

[ceara]

I meant to say, there are a number of sounds/ consonants that normally developing children would not to be able to say until 3-4. Your SLT will be able to tell you if the sounds he currently can and can't say, align with the norms, and what to expect when. Hopefully that will be reassuring.

[Excusemyfrench]

Albert thank you will look into a private assessment.

Ceara thank you so much for your reassurance and for sharing your experience!
I do focus on his progress and I think thats why I left it so long to book a next appointment, its just hard to know whats ok and whats concerning.
All your advice is really good and even though I was told to do those things it reminded me to do it even more which is great.

Glad to hear your little one has progressed well and thank you again for your advice. Have a great day! Xx