2.5 year old speech delay not sure how much she understands

[lyssie29]

She's got glue ear which has very slowly started to clear up. She has started saying more words although it's hard to understand her sometimes still but that's ok as shes gettig there. However when I ask her a question she just looks at me. Such as if i ask her where her coat is she'll just look at me and not respond or she'll go and get something else. Is this normal for her age? I have seen her just look at people if they talk to her. I know it seems a long way still but she starts nursery in January and she seems so far behind in her speech and because she doesnt respond to alot of things I don't know how well she understands things. She is waiting for S&L appointment.

It could be that she hasn't had time to learn the meanings of things because of the glue ear or it could be that she has an issue with her receptive language.

Receptive language is literally the language as it's received by the listener...some children have trouble with that. They may not fully understand what's being said.

The good news is that there is help for it.

Whilst you're waiting for your referral to S&L, I suggest you get this book
www.hanen.org/Programs/For-Parents/It-Takes-Two-to-Talk.aspx

And have a look at the site in general...it's very, very good and helpful.

Hi Lyssie. Good to know that you have an S&L appointment coming up. That should give you lots of answers.

I've spoken to lots of mums who feel frustrated by the long wait for an S&L appointment, so I've put together a free 5 day challenge, to share some information about how children learn to talk.

If you're interested, you can find out more here. :) www.saltbythesea.com/blog/5daychallenge/

Bryony (Speech and Language Therapist)