2 year old not talking

[Asia98]

My 2 year old (25 months) isnt talking. He just says dad, mum, tata (water). Took him to specialist they said everything is fine and that he just needs to see more people his age (impossible as we live abroad and schools are shut due to covid)

We do all the right things - read, sing, play games etc. He has limited screen time (20 mins/3 times a week).

Any advice or tips welcome

@orangejuicer

Just to say some tv can be beneficial for speech and understanding things in context.

Definitely my son has picked loads up from tv

@Babbly

Try playing the radio if you don't like screen time. Do they have a dummy? That can really impair their speech development. Do you speak to them? Properly, in full sentences? How often do you read to them? Point to things and say "this is X, can you say X?". What about flashcards? Do you point things out and say them? Ask them to repeat them? Which songs do you sing together (try ones that relate back to something tangible, like head shoulder knees and toes or if you're happy and you know it etc)? Do you try things like "say please" or "say thank you" when you're giving them things or "say hello/goodbye" when you see people?

What's with all the 'they'. He's a boy HE is pronoun you're looking for.

@RainbowCrayons is spot on, good suggestions there. And also, try not to worry too much. Both my DD's were late to speak but early with physical development. It usually evens out. DD1's reception class teacher described her as "extremely articulate" and as an early years trained teacher myself I was quite aware what that meant And DD 2 had speech therapy for pronunciation because hers was awful, but again, it all evens out. Top sets in her large comprehensive (stealth boast) and also a great talker ... Last to finish at the family dinner table each day as she's a chatter... It sounds as if you are doing all the right things but if you want to reassure yourself more a good book, old but good and easy to get second hand on eBay etc. , is "Babytalk" by Sally Ward.

@Jiggyjigsaw

He's only 2, it doesn't seem abnormal to me at all. The specialist said everything is fine too, try not to worry. My daughter is 22 months and doesn't say much either, it's only in this last month that I feel she is really interested. Maybeore the problem is that you haven't seen enough toddlers that age to compare. Also, don't pay toouch attention to people telling you their kids spoke at 18 months etc, in most cases it is either a gross exaduration or a memory lapse! MIL told me my partner spoke at 9 months which is bs, he's 48 and hardly speaks now! Others have given me worried looks that she's not saying much but it is completely normal. They are forgetting the long developmental process involved. They learn when they are ready for it. If he is still not saying much at 3 then youay need to reassess the situation. What is important at this age is are they able to communicate with you, do they make themselves clear by gestures like pointing or miming actions?

Rubbish.

At 15 months, one had a vocabulary of 200 words (we were asked to keep a record). She was speaking in full sentences not long after that.

My friends two G started early, never shut up. Now 17 and grunts. B didn't speak until 3. First word 'ball' we were all so excited but he wouldn't repeat it. Two days later he started speaking in full sentences and then never stopped! He's 15 now and it's a danger asking him anything unless you have plenty of time for the answer!!

@Asia98. Don't worry. He's lived practically all of his life in a pandemic. Weird times. Even outside if a pandemic, lots of kids aren't speaking at DS's age. In a short time you'll be wondering why you thought it was a problem and wondering where the off button is!

Several of my friends had speech delayed boys who were seen by SALT once or twice and discharged. All fine by 3/4.

My DS isn't talking at age 22 months either. We've been referred for a hearing test despite generally good understanding as there's a family history of glue ear. I've also had a telephone appointment with a speech and language therapist.

The thing I've found most useful is using sign language for key words with him. They are mostly makaton based, we do a singing / signing class but I'm assuming you can find online guides (makaton is a simplified sign language, Google it). You are supposed to say and sign, so the signs are extra not a replacement.

One of the other things the language therapist told me to do with to simplify my speech, to help with understanding and also to model what I want DS to do. I also find trying to sign the main one or two words in a sentence when you don't know many signs really helps with forcing you to simplify your language! He is now picking up some of the signs which really helps with his getting frustrated.

If you have a Kindle, I also found the book 'My toddlers first words' by Kimberly Scanlon helpful in giving very practical suggestions about what to do (if anything, more helpful than the telephone language therapy appointment). It's free with Kindle Unlimited, otherwise she has a website so you might be able to get enough off that www.mytoddlertalks.com/resources-2 .

I was an expat and did see more kids who were later to talk in that environment. Buy the book 'it takes two to talk' which has lots of ideas basically taken from speach therapy which you can do at home. If you can afford to you could also see a private speach therapist over zoom.

How is his receptive language? Does he understand instructions (can you put the teddy on the bed) etc. A speach therapist will give you lots of activities to do at home which will encourage him to use his speach more (often kids who spend a lot of time with parents have less need to communicate because their parents are so in tune with their needs).

Student SLT here. Please remember this is not your fault and you are not to blame! The key at his age is his understanding, can he follow simple instructions e.g. bring me your shoes?
(Without gesturing towards them). Do you feel like his language is increasing; do you think he is adding to his vocab? If you are concerned then make a referral to SLT.

Something I would suggest that might help is remembering not to ask too many questions. As adults, we would feel frustrated if someone was constantly asking "what's this, what's that" etc. Instead you could try narrating what he is doing more and add adjectives to nouns to increase language i.e. 'you are playing with the red book" or "look at that green car!" Another tip is to give choices instead of "would you like some milk?" Which requires a yes or no response you could try "would you like some milk or some water?" Please don't beat yourself up though. My 23 month old is slightly language delayed but his understanding is good so I'm trying not to stress too much

At 2 DS1 wasn't saying much at all either. By 2.5 he was saying plenty. It changed in a very short amount of time. What is his understanding like?

I’d be patient, it will come. At 25 month ds had his 2 year check, and only had about 10 words. Six months later I was pregnant, and he told his nursery nurse all about it in great detail before I’d told the nursery. I hadn’t even realised he’d taken in so much! He then never stopped taking until he became a sulky teenager!!

If he says mum and dad that is talking! There's tonnes of online resources and games for you to do that will encourage vocabulary growth.

Google 'toddler speech and language resources'

My boy is 27 months and only says mamma on occasions.
I rang the speech and language department and they weren't too concerned as he babbles and understands what I'm saying (if I say fetch me your shoes he does). He also can show me what he wants (if he wants a drink he will point to them etc..)
We talk a lot to him and repeat things - he also has more than 3X20 min screen time a week lol!

I've got to contact them again when he's about 32 months if there is still an issue but honestly I'm not concerned - many children don't talk till they're 3- yes som do earlier but that goes for many of their developments xx

When reading to a child at this age I think it’s helpful to forget about the written words, just talk about the pictures and use them as a basis for discussion eg” oh let’s read this big book. The cover is yellow, I like that bright colour. Let’s see what’s on the first page. Here is a farmer feeding his chickens, they are probably hungry and ready for their grain. Yum yum they are enjoying that tasty grain. There is a cat, it’s a bit like our cat Mittens isn’t it? He has sharp claws and whiskers and I think he would like a bowl of milk. The farmer might go to the cupboard to get out his milk bowl. Here you go cat, enjoy your milk”
I have learned this through watching how my toddler’s nan interacts with her - she spends one day a week with her and she gets a lot of really intensive one on one time with her “reading” books like this. She has always had really good speech and I credit a lot of it to her Nan’s efforts and time.

My DD hardly spoke
Til she was way over 2.5 years, she's 12
Now, no problems - my HV told me she was fine and she'd revisit after her 2.5 year check if necessary, which it wasn't because she was making progress

@homemadefries yeah I said that in my later comment. The milestone is 2 words together though not 3. They need to know 50 words in order to put 2 words together, the 50 words don’t have to be clear but they will know them.

However in the bigger picture, understanding is also important.

My daughter is 20 months and has 3 2 word sentences, what’s that, in there and where ball/ shoes? She’s being raised bilingual so I keep a close eye on her speech. To me I wouldn’t say she knows 50 words but I’m guessing she must as can put 2 words together. Her comprehension though is excellent, she knows all her body parts, some colours and can follow quite complex commands (when she wants). That’s why even though I might not notice 50 words, understanding is important.

However, from my paediatrician in the UK they told me that there isn’t any nhs intervention really or significant concern unless they are non verbal at two. I’m guessing that’s because that’s a sign of autism?

My son was the same! Don't worry OP. Kids do things ay different ages, and unlike many people think, doing something like walking or talking early has no link to their intelligence. Einstein didn't speak until 5.