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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Severe speech delay in 2.5 year old

44 replies

headstone · 13/03/2018 14:27

My son hardly says any words. He has been seeing a speech therapist who showed me how to play with him to encourage sppech but I've seen no improvement. He doesn't
seem delayed in other aspects, in fact he walked very early. I dont know where to go with this. He doesn't appear to have hearing problems. He doesn't seem autistic except he can have bad tantrums when out. He seems to like playing with other children and likes imaginative play. Anyone have any ideas? Should I go back to his GP. We moved areas and I'm not in contact with the local HV.

OP posts:

LambMadras · 17/03/2018 12:01

Chocolate - read her post to me. She said I was talking nonsense. Was that very nice of her?

chocolateiamydrug · 17/03/2018 13:04

well, in the kindest possible way - she had a point.

lyssie29 · 17/03/2018 13:27

Has he had a hearing test? My 2.5 yr old daughter is delayed in her speech and when she was referred for s&L they also automatically sent her for a hearing test. She has glue ear and just waiting for a second check up to see if its cleared. If not it'll be grommets. She has lately all of a sudden started saying more words though so it's either cleared or it wasn't anything to do with glue ear.

EssexMummy123456 · 17/03/2018 14:11

Was he late to point op? or to follow your point?

LambMadras · 17/03/2018 14:27

Chocolate - why are you being so awful to me and dismissing my own experience? Who is jumping on who here? I am sharing my personal experience and trying to reassure the OP that if there are no other signs of anything wrong that her son will get there in his own time. This is what a professional told me.

Your sneery comments are just fucking rude.

chocolateiamydrug · 17/03/2018 14:40

I am sharing my personal experience and trying to reassure the OP that if there are no other signs of anything wrong that her son will get there in his own time. This is what a professional told me.

that is the sticking point. you basically discourage the OP from seeking help based on your own experience. I do think this is wrong. It is much better to get a child assessed if there are questionmarks in order to identify those who need help rather than waiting for things to resolve and missing a window of opportunity. This is what several professionals have told me (I have a child with SN). And nobody is awful to you.

LambMadras · 17/03/2018 14:50

I'm not discouraging the OP. Get him tested til the cows come home if it makes her feel better. I panicked hugely when it was my own son in this position so I do get that.

I am only trying to share my experience that if no other red flags are present, that most likely he will start talking when he is ready. And a lot of research has shown that boys are often later. I attended an NHS course for late talkers and all of the participants were boys.

Good luck OP. I hope he starts talking soon.

Coco2891 · 18/03/2018 13:49

My son has just turned 3 and has speech delay - this in top of not always answering his name and not pointing which has lead to us getting a referral to paediatric from the speech therapist we waited 10 months to see -now we have a 12 month wait to see multidisciplinary team 😖 So my advise would be get reffered anyway just incase waiting lists are as long in your area -and by then he could be taking fine and if he’s not you’ll be glad to see someone

EssexMummy123456 · 18/03/2018 16:15

the website 'teach me to talk' is fab, it has a checklist of 11 pre verbal stages that toddlers go through before they talk, and lots of podcasts and video clips on encouraging talking.

notgivingin789 · 18/03/2018 23:52

Lamb No offence but I agree entirely with Miss.

It may just be a speech delay but no way would I take the risk and adopt the wait and see approach and go for the “Oh but boys talk late brigade”.

Speech, language and communication difficulties has a huge impact on a child/Adults life.

This includes :

Socialisation
Lack of academic achivement even though the person has average cognitive ability.
Frustrations/ low self esteem
Language difficulties may impact on a person ability to get into employment
Maybhave Difficulties maintaining relationships/ friendships.

The list goes on. So yes, OP go to your GP.

Coco2891 · 19/03/2018 00:03

Wish I hadn’t read that list going to bed 😞

LambMadras · 19/03/2018 07:41

I don't care who you agree with. This is my opinion. And at no point have I told the OP not to go to the GP. I think you are putting words in my mouth.

One more time: a speech delay in a boy is extremely common. Most boys catch up. If he is not showing signs of other issues by all means go see the GP but don't start panicking. That's all I'm saying.

I'm a little tired of being jumped on by trying to reassure the OP based on my experience, that of many of my son and his peers, my own GP, local health visitors, and a private speech therapist. I am not claiming this is fact in HER house. I am merely offering my experience.

And I think the OP is an adult and can book a GP appt if she wants to.

saison4 · 19/03/2018 07:56

a speech delay in a boy is extremely common.

this is such a nonsense. it really isn't true!

LambMadras · 19/03/2018 08:05

Far more boys have speech delays than girls.

I'm bored of this. Just google it or talk to a professional.

notgivingin789 · 19/03/2018 09:53

Sorry OP ! I didn’t mean to worry you even more. I was just highlighting to the poster above about the seriousness of having persistent speech and language difficulties.

OP, your DS is 2, you can seek advice and support from a speech and language therapist at one of those Stay and Play (I think !) sessions in your nearest children’s centre. I would also see a GP about your concerns. It could be nothing but I wouldn’t take the risk and adopt a wait and see approach.

Original poster

headstone · 20/03/2018 07:09

Hi everyone,
Thanks for taking the time to post. My son will continue to see the speech therapist but the GP won't refer him to a paediatrician yet. Coco2891 if it makes you feel better I had a speech delay and none of that list has applied to me once I started talking. My worry is my son was born in August, should have been September. He will really struggle a school if his speech delay continues.

OP posts:

Coco2891 · 20/03/2018 07:17

The speech therapist or a heath visitor can refer you too. And school wise you could always keep him back a year or have a fazed start?

Mrsmarple123 · 06/08/2021 10:55

Hi could you share an update on your son. Mine is 2 years 4 months and hardly speaking but understanding is ok. X

Chinklupapa · 28/12/2021 19:22

Hi, do you have any update on your son?

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