2 year old not using many words

[TheQuirkyMaker]

My grand-daughter has just passed her second birthday, and still only communicates with single words, with no attempt at joined-up sentences. She also shows a lot of frustration through anger. Should I request my daughter to refer her to whatever services there are to look at development? I don't want to cause worry, but I am worried. Should I be?

I wouldn't worry at just-turned-two. Make sure you talk to baby clearly - describe the world, read books together, and give plenty of attention.

your DD could take grand-daughter to the health visitor for a check, but let your DD decide on that.

Not on its own an issue at just turned 2. DD only had a few single words at 2. But was doing three word sentences by 2 and 4 months and completely caught up by 3.

Too soon to worry. My DS had a dozen words at age 3, huge stress and worry. He was at a special needs nursery with severely disabled children. By age 4 he caught up. Age 21 he is at university in Japan to our astonishment. I think the UK has crazy expectations for 1 year olds and 2 year olds that other countries do not. Give your grand daughter a little more time.

One of my DC didn't string two words together until she was almost two and a half, unlike her siblings who nattered away from much younger. I was so worried that I spoke to the GP, who asked about her general development, which was bang on target or beyond, and told me not to worry.

He was right. Some late talkers are dyslexic (mine was) but ultimately it didn't hold her back at all.

Sounds very much like my DS; in fact, he could barely string a sentence together until he was about 3. Never shuts up now (he’s nearly 6).

Thanks for all your replies, it has been very reassuring! I'll check on this thread again tomorrow.

My daughter was like this at 2. At 2 years 3 months she suddenly came out in 5/6 word sentences. She's 32 now and has never been quiet since. If she is understanding things too then that's even more reassuring

My DD had about 5 words on her 2nd birthday. I was so worried about it, it kept me up at night. When I finally got her a private SALT appointment a couple of months after her birthday I was told not to worry as her understanding was ahead of where it “should” be and lo and behold after I shelled out ££££ on that assessment the words started coming, and at just turned 3 she’s never quiet 😂 it’s now the family joke how much I worried, especially when she’s stood there going “this is nee naw tiger, he’s rescuing kittens out of the tree coz they got stuck and feeling a bit miserable up there” 😂😂😂😂

My DGS is the same, but he can follow complex instructions & has no comprehension issues at all, just doesn't seem to feel the need to talk. I suspect once he starts he's not going to stop..

All of my kids could manage the total of about 6 words each at 2.5 years. By the time they were 7 none would shut up. ......

It varies enormously with children. My eldest didn't use some form of joined up sentences until he was about three. One of my other boys was chattering away at two. Another couldn't speak for medical reasons until 2.5 and then suddenly was able to speak very clearly - he must have been storing it up until he was able :-).

I'd just see how things go over the next six months/year. Fingers crossed all will be well.

How is she in other ways? Because children develop rapidly in one area and slow down in other areas. Possibly because the brain can only process so much. It's not uncommon for a child who is showing signs of talking soon to revert to silence when they start to crawl or walk, just for a while until they have mastered what they are focusing on. If she is average or ahead elsewhere I wouldn't worry for another 6 months or so. If she is a bit behind in other milestones too it might be a cause for concern.

My DD was slow in speaking. She used afew words as 2 years old. At 3 i couldn't get a word in, she used sentences something clicked and she really got her point across.

I’d be a little concerned - don’t the guidelines say they should be saying two words like ‘want that’ or ‘go there’ by two? It’s one of those things, it could be ok, or it could be a sign of an issue. If you google encouraging a two year old to talk there are lots of strategies to try

My DS was really slow to speak but he was raised bilingually.

My brother took a long time to speak. It turned out he waited until he could speak in paragraphs rather than words or sentences.

She will have had or be due her yet 2 year review with the health visitor. Any issues your daughter may have can be discussed then.

My daughter was the exactly the same though. She was forward on lots of other areas and understood a lot but didn’t speak much.

She is now 2 years 8 months and now says little sentences. I really wouldn’t worry

My son did exactly the same. When the health visitor came out for his two year check, he only had a few single words, I told her I was worried as both my daughters had been chewing my ears off at that age. She said she wished that she could move boys 2 year check ups to 2years 3 months, as for some reason it was the “magic age” where speech just seemed to click with them. I was amazed when she was right, he hit that age and has never shut up since.

DS2 didn’t talk for ages, he would point at things so we knew he understood. And he would say the odd word so we knew he could talk. We realised that part of the ‘problem’ was that DS1 would talk on his behalf.

Then at some point it was like a dam burst and he became the chattiest little boy.

I’m sure your granddaughter will one day surprise you all.

Does your grand-daughter go to nursery?

Mine was the same at that age, yet clearly understood everything that was said to her. As soon as she started nursery at 25m her language improved rapidly. She's now 2½ and is using short sentences, with new words and phrases every week.

I think she just didn't need to 'use her words' as everyone around her knew what she wanted, so a pointed finger and maybe a single word was sufficient! The nursery staff hadn't known her since birth, so couldn't interpret as easily. Or maybe she's copying the other kids?

I don't think you need to be concerned at this point. As others have said, give her another 6 months and you'll likely see a big difference.

My grandson was like this (born in lockdown) and we kept mentioning it to nursery but they didn't seem worried. He goes to school in September and they finally agreed a few months ago, perhaps there is an issue. Waiting lists are long for speech therapy so my daughter paid for an assessment which says yes, he is behind especially with pronunciation. We can understand him, but few others can. He's had a few private sessions of Speech Therapy and the difference in a month is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! My advice is to keep an eye on how her language develops, as earlier intervention would probably have been better for us.

A relative of mine wasn't speaking at all at age 2. She now works for the Home Office in a very responsible job.

Thanks everyone for responding and voting. I feel better! So few things in life turn out as we expect or wish, for good or bad.