To ask for positive outcomes with a speech delay?

[Dazedandconfused28]

My toddler is 2yrs 4 months. He is only saying a few words & a couple of phrases - but inconsistently.

He is seeing a private SALT, and is under the care of portage. We've been referred for audiology, but the waiting list is so long. We have a full paediatric assessment in June.

We are seeing some limited progress, his eye contact is improving, and he is starting to be more reciprocal in his play. But I am so anxious about his future. The few times I have seen him around other children his age, the difference is stark. Whilst he does seem to comprehend language, it is nowhere near the level of other children.

Did anyone else experience this, and did you have a positive outcome?

I was well behind on speech, then had a lisp and a stammer. Now I speak normally, have done since I was probably 8ish, I still have a slight stammer but it's rare and when I'm trying to find a word lost in my brain. Just stick with it and converse with him as much as possible.

Dd2 barley spoke until she was 4.
She would nod and smile or gesture but she rarely spoke.

She's 24 now and literally never shuts up