23 months speech

[slappinthebass]

I think my 23 months old speech is at the lower end of average for a typical 18 month old. His understanding is greater than his expressive speech but I still think this is far behind what it should be, occasionally he will do as I ask or point at something I'm talking about but mostly he doesn't. He does engage in some pretend play such as saying hello on a toy phone, playing with pretend food. It bothers me that his speech is so far behind average but there is no assessment now until about 2.5. Apparently the 2 year check has been put back because too many 2 year olds were being referred for speech and language assessment and overloading the department but then improving soon after. So is this normal or not? I'm concerned that true speech or social and communication problems benefit from early intervention
and I think my sons speech is considerably behind enough to need assessment, but I've also been advised by friends I'm worrying over nothing and most boys are slower to talk. This is his complete list of vocabulary. If someone who has been through this or has professional experience could advise me if I should seek help or be more patient I'd be really grateful. I realise this topic is flooded with the same type of question.

Mama: everyone
Ba-ba: good bye
La-la: hello... only when playing with a toy phone.
Ba: balloon, ball, bag
Dada/nana: occasionally
Quack:duck
Grrr:all other animals
Sh:shoes/sleep/fish
Nana:banana or other fruit/food
Ch-ch: train/bus/dummy/other things

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My DS is 22 months and probably has about 70 individual words. However, some of these are probably only understandable in context as he tends not to say the final syllable e.g. ba instead of bag, bla-boar for black board. He has occasionally combined words to make a 2 word sentence, but only bye mummy, hello daddy and more milk (he’s only said this once!).

My best friend is a speech and language therapist and she says there is enormous variation in children speech at this age. Some children don’t say their first word until they are two (and this still within the realms of normal), and others are speaking in sentences at 18 months. Understanding is more important on the production of speech at this age.

I think what you’re describing sounds quite normal, though I am not an expert. However, I would go and see your health is that if you are concerned. There is no reason why they can’t do an assessment earlier if you have worries.

I am a huge worry about my child’s development, so I do sympathise. My son is very late walker and it causes me so many sleepless nights. I think it’s always worth asking for advice from professionals if you are worried.

I think if you are worried ask for an assessment. It won’t do any harm :)

If you push for assessment and your fears become unfounded then you haven’t lost anything or done any harm. I have concerns about my 18 month old and have raised them with the HV. They do things slowly in the NHS anyway so we have to wait a few months for a hearing check and then when that comes back it will be a SALT assessment and then go on from there. Maybe by the time we get to assessment it won’t be needed but I’m sure they would rather see 90 children who have no need to be seen than risk missing 10 children out who do need a bit of extra help/support :)

Thanks for replies. I've just given HV department a ring, contrary to what others have told me, they said they do like to refer for speech and language assessment if there is a delay by 2, as it will take a few months for appointment and can be cancelled if not needed. 2 year check they said is arranged between 23 and 30 months but they get you in earlier if there is concerns. There is no appointments available until March though, so they are sending someone to come and do a home visit in 2 weeks who will refer for an appointment to speech and language. So that is a big relief, I was sure I'd be fobbed off.

That’s great news, I hope it goes well!

DS is 2 in feb and talks quite a lot but his sister at the same age didn't say much at all. She is 3.5 now and her speech is excellent, you wouldn't think she was a late starter.

No harm in getting a referral but he will probably be fine.