To be worried that my 2yo is falling behind with speech?

[hibernatingmama]

Hi mums. I need a bit of advice as to weather I'm being an over-anxious mum or not.

My 2yo (exactly 24 months for context) has lots of single words but refuses to put them together. Large vocab with all the right things - adjectives, verbs etc. etc.

Having a hard time with longer words - 2 syllabls plus and they tend to shorten the word and just say the start of it. And almost never puts two words together.

On top of this, they've decided to stop speaking when they want something. Whining/crying instead of using words. Will only use them during play now.

AIBU to be anxious about it? Would you contact a SALT or just continue to encourage them for a while and see what happens?

For extra info - nursery don't seem concerned

My DD spoke in sentences at 16 months. My DS, now three, only started using sentences just after his third birthday. Both normal.

There's a huge range and it's not connected to intelligence at all. If nursery are not concerned, and his Health Visitor development checks are all ok, you're fine! Assuming he's talked to lots and possibly also read to, he's surrounded by all the language input he needs.

My children were exactly like livingmagicslly's.

My daughter didn't speak until 3.5 but when she finally did it became apparent that she could read! ...and understand everything.

All kids have strengths

Thanks for the replies, that's very reassuring. Yes I speak all the time and read constantly! We are using speech and language tips that I found online but it doesn't seem to be helping.

I think part of the problem is that there has been no need to try and make people understand. Nursery only went back recently and before that it was just the two of us, never leaving the house, and I can interpret the moaning very easily

Has your child had their 2 year HV check? My eldest started speaking in sentences overnight from about 2.2 after near no words, my second used words from 1 but is only just using sentences at 3 (and is considered delayed/possible asd).

Chances are everything is as it should be, if nearer to 3 there is still lack of communication/word use, perhaps ask your HV/GP for a referral.

Language can be a bit up and down. Lots of single words is quite common age 2. Maybe talk to the nursery about simple every day positive ways to gently encourage language but at 2 it sounds fine

Start learning songs it really helps especially with hand movements. We sang all the time when they were small

I had ds checked about 2 for the same reason...slt said ok within range as had words.. and a lot of it was because I picked stuff up...come back in 6 months...went to preschool massive change ...the whiney could just be 2yr old behaviour

, On top of this, they've decided to stop speaking when they want something. Whining/crying instead of using words. Will only use them during play now.'

That indicated to me that the refusal to speak is anxiety based. I would not be worried about it other than creating playtime activities if this is his way to feel comfortable with language.

My ds had exactly 5 words he could say at 30 months. Obviously no sentences and I was the only person who could understand him at all. We did get salt and we're advised to model one step on from where he was. So we named things he didn't use a name for. Then we would add a second word if he used 1 etc etc. Meanwhile it was watch and wait if no improvement by 36 months causes might have been looked at.
As it was he was just developing other things and suddenly his language development took off. He was still behind his peers at 5 years when he was starting school but the gap was closing. Now he is year 6 and is flying, reading well above his age, very articulate, huge vocabulary etc etc. So don't worry, he'll be developing something else. If he's 3 and no change maybe different view. Just model one step on and watch and wait. But don't worry there areso many children like him who are just fine.

Sorry, skim read, I see you didn't give gender of DC. I would still have said the same though

I pretend I don't understand when mine moans and groans instead of speaking properly. Can't stand the whining!

They sound perfectly normal to me, OP.

My DD is the same, a little older but both nursery and health visitor aren't worried they say she is making progress even if its slow so not too concerned yet. They did say something about an audiology referral just in case but it hasn't materialised

Mine could only say 2 words at 2 and a half. He's almost 6 and honestly he never shut up. Ever. My friends and family joke now "remember when you were worried about his speech" 🙈😂. He was under SALT for around 6 months and they basically told me to talk to him really basic but about everything. We're walking to the shop. I'm opening the door. And also to repeat what he had said in proper sentences. If you're at all worried though, definitely speak to your HV or GP.

Yeah it sounds fine. Little kids often develop in bursts, and sometimes backtrack a bit along the way. Be patient, the speech will come. Whining is a good shortcut for them, but soon they will realise it more efficient to use their words.

For context, my DS is 26 months, he had lots of individual words at 24 months but then at 25 months decided to stop using most of them and instead mainly fall back on signing. Now, at 26 months, he is making efforts to use two words together, like “mummy come” and “nana tea” and “me bath”.Pronunciation is dreadful but it’s normal for that to be the case at first. Word endings get lost easily, when he does enunciate he goes overboard and says “uppity” or “stoppity” instead of up or stop.

By contrast his DD was talking in sentences at this age and singing whole nursery rhymes.

Be patient.

Have a look at this guidance produced by SLTs in an NHS Scotland board - it is organised by age and describes when it is, or isn't, necessary to make a request for SLT support. From what you have described, it sounds like your child's development is typical.
www.nhsaaa.net/media/2072/20151030guideassistance.pdf

The only but that concerns me is the not using his works to request. If he’s calm and you say do you want a banana or a biscuit will he reply?

I really wouldn’t worry too much (easier said than done, I know)
My DS didn’t say that much until very nearly 3 and I was so concerned, making comparisons to other children. My now 20m DS has a huge vocabulary and is putting two/three words together. They’re so different, we’ve done nothing.

The HV wasn’t that concerned but his nursery put in a referral to SALT just before his 3rd birthday. By the time they got around to us he was flying. We also had lots of whining and tantrums though as I think he was frustrated and had no other means to communicate.

[quote brokenkettle]Have a look at this guidance produced by SLTs in an NHS Scotland board - it is organised by age and describes when it is, or isn't, necessary to make a request for SLT support. From what you have described, it sounds like your child's development is typical.
www.nhsaaa.net/media/2072/20151030guideassistance.pdf[/quote]
Thanks this is really helpful for me with my 2 year old, my 4 year old is non verbal due to autism so worried about my 2year old but less worried now

Thanks everyone! This is so helpful and has really put my mind at rest. Especially seeing the SALT referral guidelines. My DC is super sociable and has quite a big vocab, it's only the word linking that I'm worried about. I think this latest lockdown had a big affect on that as it was a big change and lack of interaction with others. Just went for a walk and they put 2 words together out of the blue... I obviously just need to be patient x

My DS turned 2 last month. He’s only just in the past month or two really begun to pick up words at all and definitely no sentences beyond the occasional 2 strung together.