2yrs old+still not talking

[osospecial]

My DD has just turned 2 and I have been worried about her talking (or lack of it) for the past 6 months, she has about 5 words now but not very clear.
She had glue ear diagnosed in apr/may and I put it down to this, then the next test in june showed it had cleared and so I thought she would start saying some words. I have seen very little progress since june and I'm at a loss on what I can do to help her, she goes to nursery+i can see the diff with the other little ones in her class with their speech+understanding, I want her to be able to join in+talk with them2, she seems to just be happy playing by herself.
She is due for a follow up hearing test in 4weeks just in case the glue ear has returned.
We had her 2yrs development test with HV yest+im worried cos she referred her for speech therapy (waiting list is 6months) which I was pleased about but she also recommended a ruth griffiths assesment to test her understanding further, because she doesn't understand basic commands+doesnt give eye contact easily, doesn't always respond to her name and doesn't play with other children. Has anyone been in this situation or had this RG assesment? I'm concered that if the hearing test is ok there might be another reason for this+and that the HV is testing her for autism?? She didn't say that but I know the eye contact+things are possible symptoms? I don't know much about it so would really just like a bit of advice as 6months is a long time to wait (+worry!)

sorry osospecial you are having a stressful time.

I think it is good that your HV picked up on certain things and referred you for speech therapy. if you find the wait to long, could you afford to go private in the meantime?

also, do you know if HV referred you to a developmental paediatrician for the RG assessment? if not, I would talk to HV or GP and get referred asap. some of the things you describe could point towards ASD (but might not). I have a DD with severely delayed speech and we are under observation of a paed because there are concerns about her with regards to ASD. so I can completely understand your worries.

whatever it is, the sooner you get the ball rolling, the better. and would also recommend that you read up about ASD. I found the special needs board really helpful and it has been in many ways a real eye opener for me.

good luck!

Hi thanks chocjunkie
Hadn't even thought about going private but I will have to look into that+how much it is because it is frustrating to keep having to wait+im out of ideas on how to encourage her to talk.
HV just said she can refer for RG assessment in hospital+its around 6month waiting list or wait+go bk to see HV in 3months+decide then. She advised I got her referred now as its such long waiting list so that is what I have done as I don't want to wait 3months+if no improvement have to wait another 6months then.
I will read up more on the special needs board thank you

if your DD has been referred to hospital for the RG assessment, she will be probably also been by a paed.

if you want to find a private speech therapist - THIS is the place to find one.

good luck

how tricky, you know there has been glue ear but you don't want to assume that's all there is to it. Both my kids had serious language delays. It was "easier" for me because we knew it wasn't glue ear.

For her problems understanding language, I strongly recommend the DVD "Teach me to Listen and Obey" which you can buy at the www.teachmetotalk.com website. This will show you how to start doing what a speech therapist will do.

For general guidance in improving your own techniques in interacting with her, (a crucial first step - you do not want to be messing around with flashcards and "can you say teddy - teddy" stuff right now) buy "It Takes Two to Talk", published by Hanen, available from Winslow publications for £32, the best money I ever every spent. The brilliance of this book is not just that it is clear, but that it will not depress or frighten - can be shown to relatives whatever their opinions about her not talking.

For some brilliant and wonderful ideas which will help any child but which if it ever turned out that she did have autistic traits you'll want to do as soon as possible, turn to "More than Words", also published by hanen, available from Winslow. But there are many techniques to learn and so I would buy "It Takes Two to Talk" first.

Have you tried putting photos of everyday events and people on the wall near, say, the back door? Visuals like this can be a bridge to understanding. As you get ready to go out in the car, you say, "we're going to Sarah's house", show her the photo of Sarah at her house, take it off the wall, take it with you - when you get to Sarah's say "we're at Sarah's house" and touch the photo again. Have one of home ready in the car. You get back in the car, you say "we're going home", you take away the picture of Sarah's house, you give her the picture of home - you go home. See what I mean? These techniques are used for autism but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that they are used for children with hearing problems too. They are not a substitute for talking, they lead to it.

good luck. I wouldnt' wait.

thanks lingle i have just ordered the it takes two to talk book from winslow-thanks for the suggestion to get it there as it was a lot cheaper than other places (amazon&hanen sites) will try the photos ideas aswell thanks feels good to have some ideas to try now (not so useless) and looking forward to reading the book

ah good, let us know how you get on. 2.0 is a great age to start. And It Takes Two is (I think) the best resource to start with because you are training yourself to interact with her in the way that a speech therapist would.