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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To access speech therapy for 2 yo?

75 replies

Twilightspring · 02/04/2023 20:42

2yo seems very behind with his speech (hearing fine) his understanding is good but he seems to have a delay.

I know it’s largely pointless waiting for a referral so how do I put in motion speech therapy for him privately? Sorry to ask on here but a bit worried.

OP posts:
MeinKraft · 02/04/2023 20:42

Have you got a local mums group, they're usually a good place to ask for recommendations.

yogaretreat · 02/04/2023 20:42

It would be through HV or portage at this age. Just to warn you, crazy long waits. My son is 4 and non verbal and we even barely get any.

Good luck

yogaretreat · 02/04/2023 20:43

Oh privately... Yes I would ask for recommendations locally

Original poster
Twilightspring · 02/04/2023 20:43

Is that true of private thought @yogaretreat ? I know the NHS is a non starter (no criticism of individuals but the system is swamped.)

OP posts:
flamingoshoes · 02/04/2023 20:44

Search association of independent speech and language therapists in practice (ASLTIP) you can do a postcode search and it will bring up therapists near you.

yogaretreat · 02/04/2023 20:44

Lots of people ask in local fb groups to me. You can have a chat and see if they seem a good fit for you

Original poster
Twilightspring · 02/04/2023 20:46

Thanks @flamingoshoes … prefer the anonymity of MN and the like to FB!

OP posts:
Snowjokes · 02/04/2023 20:49

To warn you, expect waits even for private. I have two kids (preschool, primary school) who need speech therapy and all the private SLTs I can find within an hour’s drive are currently fully booked.

Get on the NHS list too, even though it’s ridiculously long.

Has he had a full recent hearing test? SLT will want the results of that, generally HVs can refer you.

flamingoshoes · 02/04/2023 20:51

Q

turtlemurtle1982 · 02/04/2023 20:54

Direct Speech therapy for 2 year olds is tricky to deliver due to their limited attention. It would be more about providing you with strategies to support at home as part of a total communication approach. Does your db go to nursery? You can search online and find parent training which id recommend as a first step.

Original poster
Twilightspring · 02/04/2023 20:56

Thanks - he does go to nursery. I honestly think if there’s a waiting list for private he’ll be leaving secondary school by the time he gets an appointment.

OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 02/04/2023 20:58

How old? Just turned 2 or nearer 3?

Original poster
Twilightspring · 02/04/2023 20:59

2 at the very end of last year so 2 years and 3 months.

OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 02/04/2023 21:01

Is he speaking at all? And has he had a full hearing test?

herlightmaterials · 02/04/2023 21:01

Yes it's not too young and can't do any harm. Go for it.

herlightmaterials · 02/04/2023 21:02

turtlemurtle1982 · 02/04/2023 20:54

Direct Speech therapy for 2 year olds is tricky to deliver due to their limited attention. It would be more about providing you with strategies to support at home as part of a total communication approach. Does your db go to nursery? You can search online and find parent training which id recommend as a first step.

It can be amazingly helpful though.

Original poster
Twilightspring · 02/04/2023 21:03

He has quite a lot of words but isn’t really using sentences very well, no more than two words and quite limited even with those. Still points to communicate a lot too. I’ve just come back from a day out with him and toddlers the same age and I think I was in a bit of denial before, but it was very noticeable that his speech was much more basic than the other children’s.

OP posts:
The3Ls · 02/04/2023 21:03

I'm a private therapist with a typical 2-3 week so definitely look on ASLTIP. However if understanding ok don't worry too much. Any kind of hanen training offered even virtually is well worth a go. Get on NHS lists. I work across three patches one has 4 week wait one 6 months another several years it really is a postcode lottery sadly

Original poster
Twilightspring · 02/04/2023 21:08

Wouldn’t an NHS list need a referral though? And we’ll be waiting for that too! Much better to just crack on with it.

OP posts:
Morningcoffeeview · 02/04/2023 21:09

My DS saw a speech therapist privately at the same age who referred him to the NHS. The NHS appt didn’t take long and actually both the ST and me were happy with his progress by then.

gkhg · 02/04/2023 21:10

Twilightspring · 02/04/2023 21:03

He has quite a lot of words but isn’t really using sentences very well, no more than two words and quite limited even with those. Still points to communicate a lot too. I’ve just come back from a day out with him and toddlers the same age and I think I was in a bit of denial before, but it was very noticeable that his speech was much more basic than the other children’s.

OP this is so normal!

Morningcoffeeview · 02/04/2023 21:10

Twilightspring · 02/04/2023 21:03

He has quite a lot of words but isn’t really using sentences very well, no more than two words and quite limited even with those. Still points to communicate a lot too. I’ve just come back from a day out with him and toddlers the same age and I think I was in a bit of denial before, but it was very noticeable that his speech was much more basic than the other children’s.

He sounds fine OP? Some kids are further ahead than others but he doesn’t sound outside the range of normal.

Original poster
Twilightspring · 02/04/2023 21:11

I really, really want to believe that @gkhg - SO much. I honestly do stress about it, thinking I have done/not done something. But he does seem to be way behind other children his age in what he can say Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Twilightspring · 02/04/2023 21:13

@Morningcoffeeview i so hope this is true. I mean, if he was being brought up bilingual or similar I wouldn’t be so worried but this isn’t the case. He has had a lot of ear related problems - resolved now thankfully - and I’ve stressed this has caused some hearing loss and impaired his language development. But when his friends say things like you sit over there mummy or I’ll put my coat on you do worry - mine would just point at the chair or bring me his coat.

OP posts:
saraclara · 02/04/2023 21:14

Twilightspring · 02/04/2023 21:03

He has quite a lot of words but isn’t really using sentences very well, no more than two words and quite limited even with those. Still points to communicate a lot too. I’ve just come back from a day out with him and toddlers the same age and I think I was in a bit of denial before, but it was very noticeable that his speech was much more basic than the other children’s.

No way you'll get an NHS referral if he's communicating to that degree. He's well within the range of normal language acquisition. You'd be wasting your money on a private SLT. Give him a few months.