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Original poster

When to be concerned about not talking (nearly 2yo)

12 replies

MegBusset · 03/03/2011 22:07

DS2 is 22 months and has about half a dozen words - yes, no, up, down, ta, mumum, dadad. He doesn't use these much, unless prompted - just goes 'UH' and points a lot to get what he wants.

I haven't really been concerned about it but was just watching a video of DS1 at the same age and he was talking in sentences! DH feels we should maybe approach the HV about it, I'm not sure if it's too soon to drag in the professionals? He points, follows instructions, interacts socially and understands everything you say.

Experiences appreciated...

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ChezzaB · 03/03/2011 22:23

DS1 was much the same and I was really worried, however when we had his 2 yr check the HV said it was ok and all kids develop at different speeds etc. I used to (wrongly) compare him with his friend who is 6mo younger than him and she had loads of words at the time he was 2 but she wasn't as active as DS1 and would sit and absorb lots of info whereas DS wouldn't stay still for very long at all! The long and the short of it is that DS (now nearly3) has caught up and is now stringing sentences together and has lots of words (some harder to understand than others) but all in all he's doing really well.

DS2 was totally different and had lots of words by the time he was 1, so I would say don't worry too much about it but if you are really worried to go and see someone even just to set your mind at rest.

TotalChaos · 03/03/2011 22:25

Sounds ok but no harm in speaking to hv now as chances are she will just say wait and see iyswim for a few months then review him

krisskross · 03/03/2011 22:28

my DD 19 months is simliar- totally understands what you say but only says yes, no, daddy and nanny- and ba for bird. Not even mummy!! My DS was talking lots at this age, but HV said she wouldnt start to worry til 2 (and remember how much can change in that time when they are this age!) so dont worry. But HV might be good for reassurance.

ps interesting that our 3 are all second child??

JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/03/2011 22:28

Really wouldn't worry. I could have written the same post 1.5 years ago. Just before she was 3 she went from saying a few words to a 7 word sentence in one week and hasn't shut up since.

Have a chat with the HV if you are worried but I'm sure it will be fine.

moaningminniewhingesagain · 03/03/2011 22:40

DS hardly spoke at all until around 2nd birthday. Couple of months later and he yaps all day, good sentences, picks up new words quickly.

I would mention it to HV just so they can refer for a speech therapy check if needed, but I would think he will likely catch up quickly.

DS is also the second child, with an older sister who could talk the hind leg off a donkey, he couldn't get a word in, IMHO Grin

herdiegirl · 04/03/2011 12:43

Agree with the other posters in that he will probably catch up in his own time. My DS2 was similar, I contacted HV and he did get a SALT and now attends a local ICAN unit. He started in Jan and his teacher says she can't stop him talking Grin - he is now 3.1.

theDudesmummy · 04/03/2011 15:11

My DS is 21 months and does not talk (he is my PFB/ one and only so not a second child like some others on here). Well, he does talk, continually, but not words we can understand. He on the other hand understands plenty. Follows instructions etc (when he chooses to!)

I saw a paediatrician a couple of weeks ago and he said he is fine, was not worried about autism etc, and its within the normal developmental range. He did refer us to a SALT if we wanted (but we have private insurance, which does cover this, so maybe if it was NHS he would not have). I am going to the SALT in a couple of weeks. Despite the reassurance by the peadiatrician I still feel awfully worried.

LukeyLou · 04/03/2011 16:38

Sounds very similar to my DS, who is fast approaching his 2nd birthday - he still has only five or six words, but seems totally normal in every other respect. I did see the hv last month, who told me he was still within "normal" timescales and not to worry yet, as language development is a complex animal and every child is different... She said we would discuss it further if he hasn't made any progress by the time he has his two year check.

Hope you get some encouragement from this!

missmehalia · 04/03/2011 16:43

Very common in second children, I think. There's no value in learning to talk sometimes, they can be held more accountable for things (yes, I know this sounds harsh at such a tender age, but I've often seen it before. My 2nd is also like this.)

Is an older sibling speaking for him? Is he noticing older sibling get into trouble or similar when having discussions with you? Just wondering.. my best friend's younger DC was hardly saying anything by two, and her HV made her worry unnecessarily by saying it was abnormal, she should be saying 'x' no of words by now, etc. An unnecessary fear - the little girl in question is now 11 and chattering away like there's no tomorrow.

After much discussion and speculation, we guessed at the idea that she got away with far more if she didn't show that she understood and could contribute to discussion. There is someone famous and v bright (Sandi Toksvig??) who barely said a word until about 7 - she then explained there was nothing she had wanted to say previously. Smile

CameronCook · 04/03/2011 16:46

DS (ASD) was only referred to SALT when not talking at nearly 4- I think its too early for you to be worried unless there are other things concerning you.

aPixieMomma · 04/03/2011 16:47

Here's a funny story for you.

Ds1 22months has said a few words, once never to be heard talking again.

Last week he had a really bad ear infection so took him to the docs for anti-biotics. Whilst there, I mentioned about his lack of vocabulary/speech and the doc said that as soon as the infection cleared up he would refer him for a test to rule out glue ear.

When he was better this week, I took him to nursery. On picking him up, I mentioned to his key worker about the test and the conversation went something like this

Her: why's he having that then?
Me: erm, because he isn't talking yet
Her: looking very confused
Me: what?
Her: well he's been talking here.

Yes, the little bugger has been talking in 2 word sentences at nursery but hadn't said hardly a word at home. I even put a thread up very similar to this a while back.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I wouldn't worry too much but there is no harm talking to the HV/GP to check.

Original poster
MegBusset · 04/03/2011 16:51

Thanks all :)

This morning he said 'Digger' about half a dozen times. Since then, nothing! I suspect he just likes to keep an air of mystery about him Grin

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