To ask for ideas to help late talker!

thismummylovescake · 2021-06-19T16:52:48+00:00

Sorry posting here for traffic My DS is 2 1/2 and not talking at all. Have been referred to paediatrics as there are also some other development issues. But in the meantime I'm looking for anyone who has been in a similar situation who may have some advice. DS is starting to get really frustrated and upset, over even the smallest of things because he can't communicate what he wants or feels ect. He's also started to get quite nervous when we go out to play anywhere, he's nervous around both adults and children. I think it's because he's worried he can't communicate with them. So when we are out he is constantly running back to me for reassurance. Has anyone had this with their child and found a way to help them communicate? I've been told it's probably too late for baby signing but I can't think of another way to help him

Popfan · 19/06/2021 18:31

My son was a late talker, didn't put words together until he was 2.5. We taught him lots of signs, mostly makaton if I remember (Mr Tumble helped but I knew some already), some were just made up ones. It helped hugely and stopped his frustration! I also gave his childminder a list of them.

He is totally fine now by the way, never stops talking!!

Lotsachocolateplease · 19/06/2021 18:38

Picture cards? So happy/sad etc faces for feelings he can point to, food items, etc you get the idea. I’m sure you could print them off the internet.
Also just give him time to reply to you, ds do you want a biscuit? Give it a bit longer than you usually would for an answer.

Original poster

thismummylovescake · 19/06/2021 18:39

@Popfan

My son was a late talker, didn't put words together until he was 2.5. We taught him lots of signs, mostly makaton if I remember (Mr Tumble helped but I knew some already), some were just made up ones. It helped hugely and stopped his frustration! I also gave his childminder a list of them.

He is totally fine now by the way, never stops talking!!

Ah that's encouraging to know thank you! I will have a look in to that tonight. He starts nursery in September and I'm so worried that he will be upset and won't be able to express himself properly

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Original poster

thismummylovescake · 19/06/2021 18:40

@Lotsachocolateplease

Picture cards? So happy/sad etc faces for feelings he can point to, food items, etc you get the idea. I’m sure you could print them off the internet. Also just give him time to reply to you, ds do you want a biscuit? Give it a bit longer than you usually would for an answer.

Oh yeah I hadn't thought of that, I will try and get to the library this week to get some things printed off. Thank you for the idea!

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BitchIAmFromChicago · 19/06/2021 18:47

We went through lots of speech therapy with my DS at that age, thankfully he was signed off after a year!
We were basically told to have a running narrative for everything. So in the supermarket I would talk to him like a mad woman “what are we getting today, what fruit do you want, what are these called…etc.

They also showed me a little thing with snacks where I’d give him a couple of wotsits, wait for him to finish and then ask if he wanted more. He would only get more if he told me he did.

Nursery will be good for him too! We had a fab key worker and SALT sent them all the targets to work on as well. It helped that we were all working on the same things with him.

Original poster

thismummylovescake · 19/06/2021 19:53

@BitchIAmFromChicago

We went through lots of speech therapy with my DS at that age, thankfully he was signed off after a year! We were basically told to have a running narrative for everything. So in the supermarket I would talk to him like a mad woman “what are we getting today, what fruit do you want, what are these called…etc.

They also showed me a little thing with snacks where I’d give him a couple of wotsits, wait for him to finish and then ask if he wanted more. He would only get more if he told me he did.

Nursery will be good for him too! We had a fab key worker and SALT sent them all the targets to work on as well. It helped that we were all working on the same things with him.

We have been under speech therapy for the past 12 months but unfortunately due to COVID it's all been over the phone and not very helpful at all. I'm know the nursery very well as it's also where my eldest currently is so I have a lot of faith in the staff there being able to help. I'm glad your little one got on so well

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TheSoapyFrog · 19/06/2021 20:02

One of my sons didn't start speaking until he went to nursery at the age of 3. He did have SALT beforehand but it was pretty pointless tbh.

Original poster

thismummylovescake · 19/06/2021 20:12

@TheSoapyFrog

One of my sons didn't start speaking until he went to nursery at the age of 3. He did have SALT beforehand but it was pretty pointless tbh.

Did he say any words at all? And was he reaching all his other milestones?

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mommybear1 · 19/06/2021 20:20

As per @Popfan mine didn't have words at all I taught him Makaton which was fantastic he picked it up quickly and still signs now but he prefers to talk . I'm keeping the signing up it's helped with the current mask situation and I think it's a great skill to have. There are loads of free YouTube videos, we used Mr Tumble, Singing Hands and Makaton with Lucinder to help us. Good luck OP

Imapotato · 19/06/2021 20:26

My good friends DS was similar. He didn’t talk until he was 3. She read lean to read books to him, pointing out the words as she went. By the time he could speak he could also read. He was behind my dd and other friends children in mile stones like potty training, walking etc, but still with in normal ranges.

Anyway, he’s 13 now and possibly has high functioning autism, he’s never been diagnosed due to his fathers resistance to any testing, but his mum and I have always suspected this was the case. Even so, he’s doing great in school and has friends, so he’s getting on just fine.

Another friend of dd1’s (who she’s been friends with since they were 2 and is still friends with now at 16) didn’t speak until the summer holidays before reception, so 4 years old. He was a bit behind in reception and y1, but then caught up and by y6 was one of the brightest lads in the school.

Try not to worry too much, he’s still very young.

nicknamehelp · 19/06/2021 20:28

also ask for an audiology app as may have hearing issues. My dd did and since getting her 1st hearing aids hasn't shut up!

Original poster

thismummylovescake · 19/06/2021 20:34

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will definitely give the signing a try.
He has had his hearing tested last year and all was fine. They are referring to paediatrics to see if there is an underlying issue such as autism because he was saying a couple of words when he turned one but then stopped.
Hoping nursery will be the turning point and will help him along with his speech

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CCSS15 · 19/06/2021 20:58

Mine was a late talker - I think around 2 1/2 and didn't really have many words prior to this - maybe dada and tea but that was about it. His understanding and physical movement was really advanced. However, when he started talking it just fell out - practically full sentences! I cant say we really did a huge amount other than to repeat things, give him a chance to finish simple sentences and do nursery rhymes with hand movements - he loved wind the bobbin up. Hes just turned 3 and has really detailed conversations - some kids are late starters if they are advanced in other areas (it still makes me cry sometimes when I see how well he's come on in such a short time)

lanadelgrey · 19/06/2021 21:03

SALT for my DD modelled how to play "constructively" ie showing how I could do a little bit of teaching play each day - a bit of the manic talking about a particular thing and also leave gaps for her to begin to find the words and what questions to ask so she could fill in. It's easy to get too complicated in what to hope for in response when you know they understand things but aren't saying them. Also around three we loved the You Choose book - no words but has pictures so you choose what pet you'd like, what kind of bed or food you want. Nursery was initially quite frustrating for her as the other kids would talk at her or badger her for answers perfectly naturally for age and she wanted to answer but couldn't/didn't due to additional needs.

HazeyJaneII · 19/06/2021 21:03

My ds didn't talk until he was 5
Makaton was incredibly helpful (and it really isn't too late at 2 1/2)
We also used visual images a lot
I also found it really important to explain what was happening and going to happen next to ds, in a very clear and simple way (often using the support of visuals)

Gingenius · 19/06/2021 21:19

The iCan website may have some helpful resources for you.
ican.org.uk/i-cans-talking-point/parents/resources/

Makaton is a good idea. As is having some key photos to help him - sometimes making up a communication keyring with photos of key items/places can be helpful.

It’s a shame you haven’t found SaLT helpful as really they should be supporting you and you shouldn’t need to get advice from mumsnet given that he is known to SaLT - can you go back to them and ask for a review/ more support? I say this as a paediatric SaLT! I’d feel terrible if I learnt a parent on my caseload looked to mumsnet for advice over me :(
I’m not sure what things are like where you are atm but children’s centres can also support and in some you can go to drop ins where there will be a SALT that can give on the spot advice without an appointment/ referral….

Lemonlemon88 · 19/06/2021 21:23

My daughter was a late talker. One of the things we were encouraged to do was to always be on her level so she could see our mouths moving. So we spent a lot of the time sitting on the floor!

Zaziplays on Instagram is a speech and language therapist and she has lots of great ideas!

Original poster

thismummylovescake · 19/06/2021 21:26

@Gingenius

The iCan website may have some helpful resources for you. ican.org.uk/i-cans-talking-point/parents/resources/

Makaton is a good idea. As is having some key photos to help him - sometimes making up a communication keyring with photos of key items/places can be helpful.

It’s a shame you haven’t found SaLT helpful as really they should be supporting you and you shouldn’t need to get advice from mumsnet given that he is known to SaLT - can you go back to them and ask for a review/ more support? I say this as a paediatric SaLT! I’d feel terrible if I learnt a parent on my caseload looked to mumsnet for advice over me :(
I’m not sure what things are like where you are atm but children’s centres can also support and in some you can go to drop ins where there will be a SALT that can give on the spot advice without an appointment/ referral….

Thanks for the advice. I really don't mean to talk badly about the speech therapy we have had, I just feel it hasn't been enough for what he needs. We've had one appt over the phone where I was told to talk about everything I'm doing ect and give him choices everyday. Then we had a face to face appt where she assessed him and decided to refer him to paediatrics but no further advice was given.

At the moment my heart just breaks for him because everyday he is getting really frustrated because he can't tell people what he wants. And like I said in my first post he seems to be getting scared of going out to play anywhere because he can't talk to other kids/adults

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Gingenius · 19/06/2021 21:44

@thismummylovescake sounds really horrid for you and DS. Have you been put on a waiting list for therapy? I know SaLT services are under a lot of pressure at the moment but if you are really worried please do get in touch with the SaLT as they may be able to offer some more advice or sign post you to helpful services whilst you wait for therapy….

Umbra · 19/06/2021 21:54

My first only had 4 words at 3 and only really started talking at 3 and a half.

I would suggest sitting at a table together, playing games, so he can see your mouth move.

Hemskis · 19/06/2021 22:03

Dd didn't speak until she was in year 1. We started signing when she was about 2 and a half. She was reluctant first but quickly realised that signing got her stuff. Her first signs were biscuit and more :)
She is now 13 and talks non stop!