When do you start worrying about speech development ?

[piscesgirl]

My DS is 2.5 and making no progress with speech at all. He has been able to say mum and dad for a long time but that is it. He just makes a grunt like noise in the back of his throat without opening his mouth when he trys to talk! He covers his ears up when he hears loud noises say like a motor bike and now I am starting to worry that maybe he has a problem with his ears? Anyone else got any experience in this arena !!???

my son is like that..he's 2 1/2. he is only now really saying words and opening his mouth. that said, he does know a lot of words and does say quite a few.

things my HV said to me when ds was 2 and suggested to me:

talking to my son in simple terms (no over the top explanations of things) all the time you can, while out, at home. make sure that some of that time, my son is looking at me and my mouth move.
reading while my son is looking at me, bringing attention to my mouth talking and moving.
singing while doing the same
socialise him with other toddlers (mom/toddler groups, preschool, nursery, anything really)

have you talked to your GP or HV about this? they may have you see a speech therapist (we did this 2 weeks ago and the therapist said since out son is coming along with speech now, strings 3 and 4 words sometimes, and understands 2 and 3 step commands; there isnt much we should worry about now.) and to point things out to him instead of always saying whats this, whats that called.

it may be hard, but try not to worry unless you feel other areas of your son's developement are behind as well. just keep trying, and talking talking talking to him.
i know, its frustrating as hell. but he'll get there

have you thought getting his ears checked for glue ear maybe?

Ds was 2.5 when I started to worry 2.8yrs when I took him to Hv for referal and he was seen at 3.1yrs and is being seen again next week for follow up. Ds did speak but it was very very baby talk and he also has the fear of loud noises which often result in screaming sessions .

If you are at all concerned I would go and see your health visitor and ask about a referral for a hearing test which is really simple. Speech therapy, there tends to be a waiting list. My DD was seen by speech thereapy when she was 3.5, butI was led to believe they tend to not worry until 4-5yrs.
My DD didn't start talking until about 2.5 either. She walked early though, so I was told repeatedly not to worry as she'd used her development energy that way.Hardly reassuring, but she was finally diagnosed with glue ear at age 4.
She has learnt a few sounds incorrectly and now has to relearn them ie. Says foot instead of put.
I pushed for her to be seen by speech therapy as to be honest she sounds like my friend who is deaf. I wasn't initially worried about her hearing, it was selective, but my HV told me this was normal for a toddler.
When she was still not much clearer and about to start nursery school I asked for a hearing test. Having read the signs for glue ear in the waiting room, am still surprised she wasn't referred by the HV much earlier, as I answered yes to all but one.
She's 4.5 now and still not as clear as my DS age 3, but getting better.
Good Luck

Hi and thanks to everyone for your replies/advice and stories of your own experiences! Have only just got the chance to sit and log onto MN !! I have called my HV and she is coming to see us next week. Will have to google glue ear as I have heard of it but not too sure what it is. Thanks again

Ask for an assessment. My 3rd didn't say a word for 3 years and no babbling either. Saw a psychologst at 3 and walked in and said 'hello lady'. My jaw hit the floor and he hasn't stopped talking since!
But then my 4th doesn't talk and she's 3 but she has cerebral palsy. Worth getting it checked but not something to worry about yet