Should I be Worrying??

[CDMforever]

My 23mo DD isn't talking yet. The only full words she can say are yes and no. EVerything else is just the beginnings of words, e.g. "ca" for cat. She seems to understand everything I say. Her older brother now almost 4 could hold a conversation at this age. Is it just 2nd child syndrome?

Not necessarily 2nd child syndrome (DS2 could talk in sentences from 12 months) but DD (DC3)Didn't really talk properly until she was 3ish. If you are worried have a word with the HV who will test her hearing, and possibly refer the Speech and language therapist. (It's best to get on the often incredibly long waiting list early).

She sounds pretty normal to me, though.

Well it depends what you're worried about.

If you're worried about language delay they possibly but not necessarily. She is at the upper end of normal but that it still the upper end of normal if that makes sense. I have seen quite a few children with very little decipherable words at 23mths who had a good level of speech by about 2.5. She sounds like she's attempting to words correctly so that's all good.

If you're worried about a communication disorder such as ASD then from the small amout of info you've given, I'd say not too much to worry about. In terms of ASD/autism non-verbal communication is usually far more important/revealing than speech. So...does she point? Was she pointing by 18mths? Does she bring things to you to show you? Is there joint attention? Does she point at say, at picture in a book then look at you to check you're looking? The yes and no are also a good indicator that she's not autistic (just an indicator, no certainty)
It's also great that she appears to understand you. If you asked her to go get her shoes, could she? If so, all this good and sound like she's just slow to talk. As you say, could just be 2nd child stuff. Just keep an eye on it.

Just to clarify, I'm not qualified to diagnose/reassure, I'm just a teacher with lots of EY experience.

archstanton, I didn't even consider the idea she might be autistic! My eldest son has AS so god knows why I didn't. However I am aware of all the criteria you referred to that he didn't do as a toddler, so, on balance I don't think she is autistic. Deep down I think she is just slow to talk but needed some reassurance.

Sorry, wasn't trying to teach Grandma to suck eggs.

If your DS has AS then, as I'm sure you know, his speech pattern would have developed differently from the normal pattern. His ability to hold full conversations at an early age could be due to his condition.

It doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about but keep an eye on it and if nothing changes in the next 2mths, speak to your HV about having her assessed by a ST. Unless you have concerns about her hearing in which case I'd say, go in now.

Sorry not to be more help.

i would mention it to the HV when she has her 2 yr check

my ds2 was like this, and has jkust been diagnosed with glue ear. he needs another hearing test in 3 months to determine how much hearing loss he has, we have his speech and language assessment tomorrow

i've said it before on here and i'll say it again:
it may well be nothing to worry about
BUT, there is absolutely nothing to lose by getting her seen by someone. you'll either have a hearing test and a SALT visit and they'll tell you she is fine, or they'll pick up a potential problem and you can sort it out

as a previous poster said, the waiting lists for SALT and audiology appts are often long, so don't wait until you're sure there is a problem, get her on the list now!

thisisyesterday, you're very lucky if you live in an area that still does 2yr checks.

My DS is 6 and in our authority they stopped them before he reached 2yrs. The DDs were last seen at 6wks.

yes, i know, they scrapped the 8 month ones but still do 2 yr ones
or amybe i was just invited along as we hadn't seen the HV since he was 6 weeks old???
lol

if you do live in an area where 2 yr checks are not done routinely then make an appt with the health visitor

Thanks all. Will def phone HV tom and arrange a meeting.

My ds (2.4) didn't start talking until about two months ago we can't shut him up now.

HV asked if he had 20 words in his vocabulary when he'd turned 2 and he was nowhere near. She gave me some tips to help him along, like 'making' him say things rather than just grunting and pointing. She told us to 'label' everything and be really enthusiastically encouraging. We thought we had been but when we cranked up the enthusiasm he really came out of his shell and there was no stopping him after that. He's quite shy I think it was a confidence thing.

Good luck I'm sure he'll be fine xx

Thanx santander, that is encouraging. She did in fact say her very first 2 syllabel word yesterday, wait for it........sweetcorn!