Nearly 2 and not talking - not our language anyway!!?

[dancecommander]

My 23 month old DS appears to understand conversation and is able to follow directions, knows words to point to things when asked etc, you can even have a verbal joke with him and he undertstands. However, he is not really saying anything other than lots of babble which at times seems so complex I think he's invented his own language!! He can just about manage 'Ma' or 'Mamma' for Mummy and Dadda but very rarely uses these spontaneously, more when prompted to practice.
He loves books and we read together for around an hour a day at least and he often looks at books on his own / initiates fetching books to look at.
We talk to him lots. He watches less than 30 minutes TV a day.
He seems to be reaching all his other milestones.
I'm dreading the 2 year check and feel sorry for him as he obviously finds it frustrating at times as he wants to express himself.
Any advice on what we could be doing other than the obvious which I feel we are doing to help him? Have we not done something to date which has influenced this situation?

MY next door neighbours little boy is exactly the same and she was getting concerned. The health visitor said its nothing to worry about. With some kids its like a light goes on one day and they just start chatting. If he understands and is trying to talk he will get there at his own pace.

I would go to your GP now, and ask to be referred. There is every chance he will catch up, and all will be well, but if not the sooner you get into the system the more help your DS will get. If things do sort themselves out you can always cancel any appointments, but I believe it can take a while to get them, so it would be better to start the process as soon as possible.

I hope things do improve, and from what you have said it will not be anything you have done or not done!

Don't dread the check, it is there to catch anything you might be having concerns about. Our hv agreed to refer ds as he did not meet all three criteria:

1. says between 50-100 words - he probably had near enough 50 if you were being very generous.
2. puts two words together - never.
3. can be understood by strangers - no, except a couple of words I only know by context what he means.

We were lucky that there is not a huge waiting list for SALT here but I have read on MN of people having to wait a year so its worth getting his name down. He may be talking fine by then in which case you can just cancel.

SALT was lovely and reassuring but wants to keep an eye on him. Came to our house and played with him to see if he would speak but also how his turn taking and concentration was.

Also like you we read and talk loads, he's only started watching any tv very recently etc. Sometimes its not what you haven't done, just the way they are. Doesn't mean there is nothing you can do to help him though.

Talking Point is a useful site.

You probably already do this but talk to him slowly and leave a pause for him to reply. Any noises, pointing, dragging you to the fridge are all good communication. I've found working on words like More really helpful in everday life, also giving choices and then saying Milk? More Milk? Name clothes, shoes, toothbrush etc. and then expand it to say the colour or size or whatever so they see how to add words toegther. She also suggested 'forgetting' to give him his fork or only putting on one shoe so they have draw your attention to it. Also singing and signing.

I was really worried about the 2 yr test when DD2 was about 1.10, but then she did start talking - in sentances. I think it was because she was getting a whole sentance out that we just couldn't distinguish individual words. She could say essentials though, mummy daddy, DD1, yes, no and drink.

She is 2.5 now, and difficult to understand, but I can get most things in context, DH about 75% my mum about 1/2 everybody else relies on an interpreter (includng DD1, who understands as much as I do).

I'm not worried because I can hear her improving - she is trying hard, and she doesn't seem stressed. I think it all depends on your perspective, and if you already have an older child

Thanks everyone I have done the communication on talking point and it advises to talk to the GP re his development for his age (well, in a month anyway)! . I think I'll leave it a month until he is 2 and then review. He's obviously so bright I'm just willing him on to get chatting!!