Possible speech delay

[Nubbin]

Wondered whether being paranoid or something I should see the GP about.

Dd is 2.3. She rarely talks. She does burble but that is not sustained. I know she has the following words:

Mummy
Daddy
Uncle Paul
Nana
Apple
No
Hat
Shoes
Off
Up
Down
Cat
Clock
Peppa (obviously)
Water
Ball
Baby

She won't really say these unless prompted or needs to make it clear she doesn't want to do something. If asked a yes/ no question she will avoid say yes or no by shaking/nodding head. At other times she will use a phrase (which then disappears - oh dear, good girl, my dodi). She does have a dummy but it is bedtime only.

Words I think are 'missing' are words/ baby attempt equivalent she hears every day (and should be asking for?) milk, crispies, smoothie, pasta, yoghurt, spoon, doll, biscuit, bath, bed, night-night, book, tv, mine, yes etc.

We talk pretty much constantly in the annoying narrating - I'm putting the washing in the machine/ can you see it go round/ look at the water etc.

She is a pfb - her cousins seemed to communicate easier/ earlier (and certainly weren't as quiet). Nursery says that she doesn't have a problem and can communicate her needs (but not particularly through speech). She has not probs understanding fairly complex requests - i.e. 'go get your wellies. They are in the wardrobe not the shoe rack.' 'can you bring me a green smoothie'.

Sorry bit of an epic - is there something to worry about or should I put the baby books away and stop worrying!

I think first port of call would be HV or GP, i'd get her hearing check just to be sure. Then if they say everything is fine try baby signing (they do toddler class to) as all the people I know who have had kids with spech delay have been recomended to do siging. So I think it's a really good thing you can start even before you know there is an issue.

Try not to compare as all children are different but I do think that as mum if you think there is an issue you should persue it.

Three of my five have been late talkers and only one of them has SN (and his delay was less than the other two!).

I would never say 'its fine, its nothing' because I always think it is worth keeping an eye on anything you are worried about.

BUT she is within normal ranges and the fact she understands complex instructions is a good sign.

Can you encourage her to use words rather than gestures? Do you find you anticipate her needs rather than wait for her to ask?

Try giving her a choice of two things every time you offer her a drink/food/toy

e.g. water or milk? She might point at first but if she does try 'MILK! Good choosing!' 'Here is your MILK'

Try this with other activities.

The narrative thing doesnt suit all children, it can be a bit overwhelming and they zone out a bit.
Its great to keep talking but maybe simplify your speech. Instead of 'oh shall we put the washing on, lets put it in, in it goes, here we are, and the washing powder in the drawer, switch it on, here we go....'

Try 'washing IN, shut the door, turn it on!' Clap clap clap!

Turn taking games are a good way of encouraging speech 'mummy's turn, DD's turn, GOOD waiting!'

And the ever popular 'ready, steady GO!' before she comes down the slide.

After a while pause before the 'go' and give her a chance to say it.

HTH

Thanks - she had no probs at her original hearing check but her dad did have grommits so prob worth checking again.

Baby signing - I would love to but working FT and tired baby post nursery makes it difficult to build it in enough.

MrsDeVere - I think you have prob hit the major issue in that we anticipate needs rather than offering a choice and not just giving in because we can see what she wants rather than waiting for her to respond.

Will book an appointment and try to simplify choices/ lang used to encourage her to speak. Thinking about it she does do 1, 2 , 3 for slides but under her breath! Maybe her mum and dad need to shut up a bit.

nubbin it is REALLY common, specially in first time parents and in families (like mine) where there are a lot of kids. By the time you get to DC 5 they are either foghorns or hardly say a word

Try pausing in everyday activities. Only a few seconds to give her a chance to use her words.

Back ground noise can be distracting for slow talkers so try not to have the radio/tv on all the time (not saying you do this but just in case).

Dont blame yourself. Talking to your kids is a GOOD thing. Some children just need a slightly different approach