Speech delay experiences

[FinnsMammy]

Hi all my little boy has just turned 29 months. He has no words at all. We have stated him in early Intervention recently and have had him reviewed by a developmental paediatrician that says he is not autistic but he is delayed so he will be getting his bloods taken next week to check if there is any chromosome abnormalities thus a reason for his delay. His personality is very chilled easy going happy child and he loves been around people and is extremely loving and affectionate. I thought both his understanding and expressive language was extremely delayed until recently his understanding has really come on for example if I ask him to get his shoes or put something in the bin he will do it without me gesturing it’s like a light switch came on. I was just wondering if anyone else has been in this position how did your little one turn out.I know they are all different. My gut is telling me he will do it when he’s ready but ive been chasing services for him since he was 15 months so it’s a long road of worrying. Thanks xx

My son is speech delayed. He had no words at 2 years old. Now at 2.5 he has lots of single words and started forming two word sentences. Drs and Health visitors also say he's not autistic just a bit behind with speech but he always seems so much younger than other children due to this.

Like yours he's a wonderful easy natured, affectionate gorgeous little boy but it's hard not to worry.

@HeyDuggeesFavouriteSquirrel sounds like your little guy is doing great. If mine had single words I’d be delighted. I know what you mean by presenting as a younger child. Im just glad his tantrums are far and few despite his communication challenges. A friend with a child who is considered pretty much gifted in his speech and language and the same age as mine asked me today if I was going to start potty training him I nearly choked on my tea lol they just don’t understand the struggle! think I’ll wait at least 6 months for that rather than stress us both out! 🙈

Oh gosh its a horrible isn't when all the others are hitting milestones and seem to be doing things so easily when you know your little one isn't ready.

My little boy is so well behaved and tantrums much less than other kids I know. I just wish he could tell me how he's feeling and how his day has been.

@HeyDuggeesFavouriteSquirrel same here minimum tantrums so well behaved! Even got his hair cut the other day not a peep out of him his needs are minimal which is why I think it’s a lot to do with personality too! I know. I only focus on his lane and his achievements I definitely don’t look at milestones anymore I just compare him to where he was a few months ago ..

Hi, My DS barely spoke until he was 3. Started pre-school on his third birthday and it got a lot better (don't know why to be honest, he was in nursery full-time from 10 months, but maybe they did a bit more structured 'input' in the pre-school room). What really helped for us is the 1st lockdown, when he was 3 1/2. He was at home with us for 3 1/2 months till his pre-school re-opened - I think being with a older brother who had a huge vocabulary and is taking non-stop and two adults in the house just made it a necessity for him to talk! When he was younger, I suspect that his older brother spoke a bit too much for him.
In other words, there is a good chance he'll be ok and just start very late. My DS is now in reception and completely normal. Loves writing!

@dodi1978 thank you for this ! This gives me hope that maybe he is just taking his time ! He is an only child for now (his little sister due in early April) so hopefully he will start communicating more once she arrives as he won’t be getting all the attention!

Came to make a post about my own DS speech delay - glad I found this one first.
DS will be 2 on 2nd April and doesn't have many words yet. He walked really early and we just figured his speech would catch up but he's nowhere near where his big sis was at 2 so I'm worrying.
I'm starting to make a list of the words he does say so I can phone HV to have a chat but I've realised there are words he can say but doesn't. For example a couple of months ago, over the space of a few days, he kept trying to say his sister's name but not quite getting it. All of a sudden one day it just clicked and he said it loads but I'm pretty sure he's never bothered since. His grandma heard it otherwise I would start to think I was going mad! I think there's a few other words like this, does anyone have experience of this?

When my son had his 2 year development check he passed everything apart from speaking. He was my first so didn’t think it a problem, but HV said she would contact us again in 6 months to see if there was an improvement. What he would do was point to whatever he wanted and if he wanted a drink he made a sippy sound. I worked 4 days a week and my MIL looked after him. We all decided that we were doing everything for him. He loved books being read to him, the same ones over and over, so I used to stop at the end of a sentence and ask him what the next word was. He was actually very clever and when he started nursery at 3 could do everything well, speech was still a bit laboured but a lot better. By the time he started reception he could count up to 100 and was reading really well.

@FinnsMammy just came across your message and this is exactly like our story. Would you mind sharing how your little one of getting on now and if you've had any intervention? I've had to fight with the HV to get a referral to SAL after this 2.5 year assessment. They seem to think he'll be fine and it's just a matter of time, but I'm feel uneasy with that approach with waiting lists being up to 2 years at the moment. I'm worried out of my mind and honestly don't know what else I can do. I'm currently looking for a private SALT to help us as we have tried everything we can at home.

Hello @OhSoCherished. Finn is 3.10 months now and still non verbal or pre verbal as I like to call it. We moved back to the Middle East back in early November he was just over 3. We pay privately to have him in 2 SALT and 1 OT sessions a week. We are also doing the nemechek protocol and he is in nursery during ye academic year. He’s also under a developmental paediatrician over here so still says he’s delayed but nothing fitter for now. We did the Whole exome sequencing (genetic testing ) which came up with nothing we will be taking him for an MRI next week. Finns doing great he understands everything now and can show us via pointing that he knows all his animals , colours , shapes etc . He’s also fully potty trained both day and night. Sleep 12 hours straight every night . Loves his cuddles , his little sister and paw patrol. Recently he’s starting to babble alot more so we are hoping the words will follow but I do believe understanding and communication are more important than words right now. He may still have autism but for now we are still waiting to see how he progresses. His main issue right now is expressive language. He does have some repetitive things like he likes the same few toys and sometimes jumps on the spot . He has no sensory issues I don’t believe. He is in OT mostly for his fine and gross motor delays . He was a very late walker (24 months ) but now runs , climbs and tears around on his balance bike . He’s a very happy little kid ! If and when he starts talking I’ll be doing a big update on here 🥰. He is starting to repeat words but I need to see it constantly to believe it. The speech therapist also believes he has a bit of jaw grading which we are working on now and which may be affecting his ability to say words . I hope this helps in some way xx

@FinnsMammy I hope your LO is doing well! Sounds like you are doing everything you can and he is getting the best care. We finally got our referral through but with the NHS in the state that it is, it's an online workshop which I doubt will be very helpful. DS has been saying a handful of words, and we are making progress with potty training. He understands so much and follows instructions well. He also sleeps well, 12 hour nights and is generally a happy, playful kid. He's not very social though, and he's not keen on group play but he is getting much better now that he's settled at nursery. Hopefully things carry on positively as we near his 3rd birthday.