Worried about DD's Speech...

[Deemented]

DD is nearly 2.3 and i'm a little concerned about her speech development. She has only about 20

words that we can really understand, and seems to be getting increasingly frustrated that she can't get her point of view across or tell us what she wants.

She can put words together - this morning she said 'Meme a bobo gone', but she seems to be changing words round - she used to call me mammy, now she calls me meme, and calls her brother mammy.

I have no doubt that her understanding is fine - if i tell her to do something - like get her coat, or ask her if she wants something then she will do as i ask or say yes/no ect.

I'm just unsure as to what is normal for a child her age - DS was premature and had developmental delay and didn't speak til after three, so i've nothing to gague her against, iyswim?

Is it worth taking her to the HV and noting my concerns?

Could well be completely normal but trot her off to the HV and get a SLT referral anyway - there'll be a waiting list so you may as well be on it.

There's a useful looking chart here. Looks from that like she is roughly on track apart from the vocab, and that may explode any minute. Does she go to any groups/nursery sessions? Might help if she has to make her needs known to other adults, maybe?

Thanks both.

Yes, we do go to a playgroup once a week and she loves it. Fiercly independant and headstrong, just not vocalising much

The SLT will probably want to know more about her behaviour and comprehension at this stage, and adopt a 'wait and see' approach to expression, as she's only 2.3. Still worth a referral, esp if you feel she's getting frustrated.

I looked at the chart for 36 months, my dd is nowhere near it...

From a recent thread on MN, it would seem my DD has speech apraxia. FWIW, imho I don't think your DD is in the same boat.

At 2.3, you really don't need to worry - a speech explosion may happen any time soon. HV will tell you so, and will also tell you that talking can take off any time up to around 4 yrs.

However.

If, like in my DD's case, your DD's speech plateaus for a significant amount of time (e.g. next 4 to 6 mths) and / or she's closing in on 3 yrs old and there's little or no improvement, push for a Speech And Language Therapy referral - GP will refer your DD for hearing test first.

In my area, they run a SALT drop-in. About 30 secs into telling therapist DD's situation, she said DD clearly had expressive language delay. Since then DD will be off to specialist nursery from Sept, so all's well.

I think you can self-refer to most SLT services - phone them and ask if you are worried

Oh, and my DD has about 6 words of any clarity and rarely puts even two together as a sentence. She understands everything, just can't speak, iyswim.

So in contrast, you have no cause for concern with your DD - it's highly likely she'll have a language explosion any time over the next few months.

Thank you again

I'll get onto it on Monday.

Self refer if you have any doubts at all.

There will be a waiting list so the chances are by the time you get an appointment your Dd's speech will be fine

FWIW there is noramlly a massive progression in speech between 2 and 2.5. In the meantime, every time she says anything at all that you understand, repeat it back to her and get really enthusiastic to reinforce that you understand and that speech is good!

Don't be sad, Dee. She will almost certainly catch up. Speech is about so much more than words and it sounds like everything else is spot on and in place- she understands you, communicates well non-verbally, understands that words are strung together and is attempting to do that (with some success!). All the building blocks are there- it's really just a matter of her expressive vocabulary increasing. Just keep on talking with her, reading with her, playing etc, make sure there are times when background noise (tv, radio, music etc) is at a minimum and it'll come, I'm sure.

talk to your HV/GP but don't worry too much. My DD (2.10) took much longer to start speaking in any sense coherently, and still doesn't speak as clearly as some of her 'peers'. Her two older siblings spoke a lot sooner. I was concerned, but at the same time, knew that developmentally she was otherwise fine, advanced at times, and her comprehension and intonation was fine etc. Needless to say, she is getting much clearer and I have no worries. Do talk to the professionals, but don't worry too much. Even if there is a problem, highlighting it at such a young age will really help address it. But she may just be developing at her own speed