23 month old doesnt talk - should I be concerned?

[icklemssunshine1]

Hi all,

DD is a very lively, energetic, creative little thing yet she doesn't talk! She was first of her peers to sit, crawl & walk but she's taking he time with communicating. I know I shouldn't compare her to her peers but I have 2 friends whose DS and DD are 6 & 7 days respectively, older than my DD & they're saying lots of words!

DD can make a couple of animal noises & just say "bye", seriously nothing else. She understands instructions & points to things I ask her to bit she doesn't verbalise her responses. Surely she should say more? She's been in full time nursery since she was 13 months & her key worker doesn't seem concerned but should I be?

Any advice/experiences grateful!

Hi, don't panic, development can vary a lot and still be within the normal range.

Worth thinking though about what she can do and considering discussing this with your health visitor.

Does she communicate? I mean without language? Does she make eyes contact, point, gesture, show you things, bring things to you, take you to things? Does she respond to your language and communication? Does he like sharing games like pat a cake and round and round the garden, doe she respond? Does she babble, has she developed her own sounds for words? Eg Da for her blankie or something?

If its just speech and she's communicating in lots of other ways then I think she'd be within the normal limits of speech development just a bit later than some, if she's not communicating orbresnsidn gin other ways it could indicate other issues or more of a speech delay/language disorder.

Sorry just seen you've said she points and understands lots.
From your brief picture of her, I'd guess if you wait a while you'll probably get an explosion of language development after 2yrs so don't worry.

Still mention it to HV though, they'll probably just note it and monitor but it will mean if you're still concerned are 6mths (which I bet you won't be) they'll then think about a speech and Lang referral.

HTH

My ds was referred to SALT at 24 months as his speech was similar to your dd's. GP felt that he was behind compared to the average. I'd go and get a referral, as it took months and months before we got a SALT appointment. Ds also had his hearing checked to make sure there was no problems. He talks fine now at age 3.5yrs, but SALT did help with that.

Thanks for the quick response!

Yes she communicates in all other ways, just doesn't speak. I wondered if it was her hearing but if we're to ask her now "go & get your coat please", she would walk into the hall & put it on!

She "attempts" to speak. For example if we're walking down the stairs she "counts" & she "sings" but da-da-IMF the melodies.

I've always known she was slower than her peers but her appointment for that 2 year check came through today & its really madee sit up & think she's not hitting her 50 words milestones. She doesn't even say 5!

Brian thanks for the advice. She has got her HV check at end of July but think I may raise the issue with GP before then. Thank you.

I would definitely raise the issue as the sooner you know if she needs SALT then the faster you get on the waiting list. Good luck.

We had the same concerns about our DS2, similar age, and not saying anything apart from Mum, Papa, Bye. He would point, or take our hand to what he wanted, or grunt etc... He is coming up 3 and I feel he is still behind, but now he puts together little sentences, maybe 4 words max, but if feeling lazy, will grunt and whine and point to get something. We'll say use your words, I don't understand, and he will quite clearly ask for what he wants.

When I compare him to DS1 at the same age, they are a world apart. DS1 was getting ready for a preschool, I can't imagine that DS2 will be ready for that in 2 months. But, they're all individual and develop at their own pace. We were at the point of taking him to the GP, but were told to have patience, and that was the right advice for us.

Hang on in there another few months and see how she gets on. Keep conversing with her. Sometimes pretend you don't understand what she wants, but not to the point of frustration, or when she points, use the words for her "oh, so you want xyz do you?"

Thank you Neo.

HerRoyal, makes me feel a little better I'm not alone. Thank you for the tips. We talk & talk, read books, sing songs, I'm running out of ideas! I'm an English teacher so thought being a chatterbox would run in the genes!!

We had similar with DS2. DS1 was and still is, very talkative, but DS2 was hardly saying anything. Everyone saying it was because DS1 talked too much. We had to stress the issue at our 2 year check - turned out DS2 had glue ear, so heard everything as if his head was under water.

ickle

We are in exactly the same situation - DD is 23 months, was the first by miles in her group to sit, crawl and walk. But talking is coming along very slowly. I am not worried, just a bit frustrated when I hear of all the complex sounding things her peers can say!

She also 'counts' and sings in her own way, and has her own words for things. But she finds it SO frustrating not being able to speak, poor thing. We've had a lot of tantrums.

We taught her sign language quite early on and this has come in really, really handy. Apparently sign language can actually facilitate speech as it gives children confidence about their communication skills. Could that be an option for you? We only use basic signs like sleep, food, drink, play. I am stalling teaching more complex signs as I really hope she starts talking more soon.

spondulix, we've had the tantrums too. It pains me too see her so frustrated & it just bursts out & ends up with get throwing something usually!

Sign language is a good idea. Every week she is taught a new sign at nursery so think I'll have to use it more at home.

Thank you.