Scared my 2.4 year old will never speak

[Klippin]

I’d really love to hear some positive stories from parents of children who were very late to babble and speak ❤️

Did anyone have a child who was very social and communicative from a young age — lots of eye contact, pointing, gestures/signs, joint attention, understanding what you were saying and wanting to interact — but who just didn’t develop babbling or spoken words?

I’m particularly hoping to hear from parents whose child was over 2½ before they really started babbling or saying words, but who did eventually go on to develop speech.
How old were they when things finally started to change? Did speech come gradually or was there suddenly a big leap?

And most importantly, what seemed to help? Was it speech therapy, apraxia-specific therapy, signing, something else, or simply time and development?

It can feel quite lonely when your child is developing and connecting so beautifully in other ways but speech just isn’t coming, so I’d really appreciate hearing some hopeful stories from families who have been further down this road. ❤️

My DS, now 8, had about 2 words age 2. I think at about 2.5 he could say about 20. The HV were concerned and we were too. He now doesn’t stop talking. He’s very chatty and very clever. Way above average in all subjects. Socially he’s not as gifted as his other 2 siblings but that’s okay. I was very worried when he was young but he just took his own sweet time. Sounds like your child is doing really well in other areas but if you’re really concerned then talk to your HV. Hopefully you have a good one who knows what they’re doing.

My little grandson is 15 months and not saying words. Is he a bit young?

Sorry OP that sounds really stressful. I’m not in the same boat but didn’t want to read and run.. hopefully someone more helpful will be along soon.
I assume he has had his hearing checked?

We once had neighbours whose little boy didn't talk until he was at least three. He turned out fine and last I heard, he was at university.

My son was like that. He’s 5 now and just started regular school. I worried too that he wouldn’t speak. He also didn’t have a good understanding for quite a while. I don’t think he properly started to improve until he was 3.5. There were moments when I noticed decent improvements but in general it was gradual.

He sees a speech therapist as he’s still not always clear and has issues with some sounds so I don’t always understand him. He talks a decent amount though and his understanding is good. It’s much better than I feared and I hope he’ll keep on improving so he no longer has issues.

He finally has a hearing test next month after being on waiting list for a while though I don’t think there’s an issue with that but best get it checked.

None of my three girls were even babbling at this age. DD2 and DD3 were largely non-verbal at 4. DD1 and DD2 are now graduates (both with firsts), and are successful young adults. DD3 has just started university (as this is MN, I need to point out it’s RG!).

I did get a little fed up with people telling me that their little Johnny was ever such a good speaker, but of course, they spoke to them all the time. I always wanted to reply, “Oh, you mean I shouldn’t have stuck them in the cupboard under the stairs, Harry Potter style.”

Definitely worth talking to the HV, and getting on the list for SALT though.

DS1 could say around 10 words only at the age of 2. So he was quite late speaking but developed completely normally apart from that. Very good grades at schools etc

Once someone told me that parents can't wait for their children to start talking and once they do speak, they can't wait for them to shut up.

I really don't think there is an issue, there is no "average" when it comes to children's development. Mine was a late speaker.

I didn't say a word until I was three.....haven't shut up since.....

Has she.had her hearing checkrd?
You need to speak to the health visitorcl in the first instance
And they can refer you too all the relevant agencies
Lots of children are late talkers
But get the ball rolling with the health visitor

My son was dragged through speech therapy and other such from the age of 4 to 6 until I refused to do any more sessions as it was just stressful for everyone concerned as he was ‘slow to speak - not my words - he is now 21 and works in many roles in hospitality - bar/kitchen/waiter/front of house and his speech is immaculate and will be a ski instructor in the Alps this winter with people paying £2k+ a week just for instruction - don’t worry about it - the chances are it will just happen.

Did they babble at all before then?

Not really. There is a long family history of very delayed speech. But, unusually, it seems to be only speech. I think it’s very rare to be as delayed as my DDs without a reason. Oddly my son was an early talker.

I did get a little fed up with people telling me that their little Johnny was ever such a good speaker, but of course, they spoke to them all the time. I always wanted to reply, “Oh, you mean I shouldn’t have stuck them in the cupboard under the stairs, Harry Potter style.

I’ve experienced this too, and I agree it’s annoying. Even when people tried to be nice by reassuring me that I’m just reserved and quiet (as the likely reason he’s behind), they don't seem to realise they’re basically saying he isn't talking at three because I haven't spoken to him much.

My daughter didn't babble and didn't speak really until she was a bit older than 3. She did communicate non verbally and comprehension was fine. Once she started, she spoke in pretty full sentences, but with some difficulty with some sounds. She didn't have SALT because she was on a waiting list for 15 months, during which time she started talking...