does my Dd need help with development

[LadyB49]

My dd is a delightful animated only child who is 2years this month. She is active and happy in her play and is happy to interact /play with adult family that she knows - not yet at nursery and there are no other family children. She is content to mix with other children that she occasionally meets up with. Dd understands language quite well and will point to her eyes, nose etc. All fun games, she gets lots of our parental attention including reading to her and is taken to the park regularly. She gets limited suitable cartoons. But it's as if she has no need to talk. She will say the occasional word and will always wave and say bye bye. But her main communication is pointing and using a 'word' if she has to. Dd is quite quiet with adults in any unusual situation until she becomes familiar with them. Her health visitor has commented that she is shy (she does be shy with HV) and that her speech should be further on and would like to refer her. I think it's time enough and that the next few months should show a difference.
Any opinions on her progress........HV has made me concerned.

Bump.......

I don't think you have anything major to worry about. You say your DD has a good understanding of language; that is important.

I think your HV is being pro-active, flag any slight delay now rather than later. The waiting lists for a Speech and Language therapist can be long. Your DD will probably be given a hearing test. That doesn't mean hearing loss is suspected they just have to routinely rule it out first.

Meantime, talk the hind legs off a donkey. Lots of nursery songs. Point things out at the park. Get her to help you shop, ask her to bring you items. All stuff you are probably doing already.

My DD2 was diagnosed with Global development delay. We didn't get to see a SALT until she was in the infants.

Thank you, I generally think that pro active is good. But feel a little bit alarmed. And of course I've now crossed so many bridges (in my mind).....

why wouldn't you want the referral?? she is 2 and only has a few single words? great that she can point to body parts but most children can do that much earlier. so this itself means little.

waiting lists for Salt are long. We waited well over a year. I would not delay getting referred. you can always cancel if things have improved by the time an appointment comes along.

and get a referral to audiology. getting the hearing checked is one of the first things to do.

there are children who are not saying anything until 2.5 or 3 and then start with whole sentences. but not all children do and some need more help or have underlying issues. I would act on the side of caution and get her Seen by a salt. if all is well, it will also put your mind to Rest.