Total Meltdown :(

[ArseWormsWithoutSatNav]

So embarrassed today. Went to rhyme time, DS (2.5) just totally flipped. Screaming blue murder.

I'm not sure if it was the environment or what. He struggles with communication, barely speaks and gets very frustrated. He was fine once we left.

Feel like a failure. :(

You are NOT a failure, your ds at 2.5 is in prime testing time! If it helps then I don't think any parent gets through parenting without feeling as if they've done something wrong unless they are supremely unaware.
You need a strong one of these , some and a rest.

Re next time you take him, can you talk to him about what to do if he feels cross/ bored /whatever again? Maybe you could give him a special little sign/ word he can give you that is a secret and will mean he gets to either leave (if this is what he wants) or gets a hug from you and some time out before rejoining the group?

Please don't beat yourself up about this, it happens to the best of us!

I don't understand why this would make you feel a failure ?
What on earth could you have done wrong ?

Sounds par for the course to me. Maybe he is coming down with something?

ItsOK, that is a lovely idea and something I do with my DD - I can talk to her on her level, say where we are going etc.

Not with DS though, he has probably 20-30 words, and I don't get the feeling he understands much more than that. He is still in the grunting, pointing phase.