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Original poster

30 month old with speech of a 12 - 18 month

33 replies

DaddyofMonsters · 05/07/2022 22:18

Hi everyone, my son is 2 and a half and amazing. He plays and laughs and runs around like a lunatic but his speech is way below where it should be for his age, compared to his peers. He does speak and has lots of words, he has a few 2 and three word combos like “daddy sit down” or “no it’s mine!” but mostly it’s single words along with a lot of noises and babbling. He’s also not as steady on his feet as I’ve observed similar age kids to be.

We've done a couple of Autism test on him and he doesn’t seem to have any of the traits.
He’s booked in for a hearing test and the health visitor is going to speak to his nursery to get their opinion of his development. He’s come on a lot in the past few months to be fair, we read to him every night and after a consultation with health visitor we started to narrate everything he did or saw during the day.

I’m just worried, he’s such a fun little chap and I want him to be ok. I don’t even know why I’m writing this post… has anyone else had a similar experience?
Thanks, concerned Dad.

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 06/07/2022 07:35

Does the HV think that he's behind @DaddyofMonsters? Have you tried an SLT progress checker like this one from ICan?

Original poster
DaddyofMonsters · 06/07/2022 08:28

Hi, the HV went through a number of checks and my boy scored about 10 points below the expected level which is when she got him booked in for a hearing test (not had it yet) and arranged a follow up visit. We’ve not tried the ICAN test but will do that tonight. Thanks.

OP posts:
Felinewoman · 06/07/2022 12:13

We're in a similar Situation with my 29 month old daughter. No 3 word combos yet, only single words mostly. Scoring fine in all other domains.
Nursery not concerned as her understanding is fine. HV also not too worried.
Were in hospital for a high temp over the weekend and the paediatrician commented that they see lots of speech delayed kids at the moment due to pandemic. Masks and limited exposure to people seems to have caused some damage.
We are waiting for a second hearing test. First one was fine.
SLT have assessed and not overly worried.
I feel your pain. I am worried and jealous of all those moms with their speaking toddlers.
I think you're doing all the right things and time will tell . Get in the system early as waiting times are long. Also, speech delay does not mean autism.
Let me know how you get on.

Original poster
DaddyofMonsters · 06/07/2022 13:06

Thank you for responding @Felinewoman Yes we’re still waiting for the 1st hearing test that was meant to be arrange in April!. We’ve also been told that there are a lot of COVID delay kids so I’m hoping with the extra work we’re putting in he’ll catch up soon. I feel so guilty as we weren’t able to do half the stuff we did with our first child, clubs and outings … he was just stuck at home with us working.

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 06/07/2022 20:38

Don't feel guilty @DaddyofMonsters there's lots of time to do things with him still.

mondler · 06/07/2022 20:41

Please don't feel guilty, so many children are behind at the moment due to covid times and everyone did their best to get through tough times.

In case it helps our little guy only spoke 4 words until a month before he was 3. Then his speech exploded and within a few weeks he went from saying lots of new words to 5 word sentences. He knew all the words, it just took him a while to want to talk. He's 3 and a half now and on the speech therapy waiting list as hes hard to understand. He had 1 general hearing test but was too young to test individual ears so we have another one next month.

Does your little one understand and follow simple instructions? Can they show you what they want?

He also was behind with gross mobility and had a couple of physio therapy sessions. They recommended soft play, play parks, standing on 1 leg and kneeling to strengthen muscles. Hes progressed a lot but you can still see the difference between him and his peers. But the therapist said as long as theres progression not to worry too much.

Ours was premature which seems to be a but of a factor in everything.

Original poster
DaddyofMonsters · 06/07/2022 22:07

That really does help @mondler thank you. He understands everything, I can tell him to go get his shoes, he says “thank you daddy” when I give him things athough I think only me and his mum can understand him.

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 07/07/2022 07:12

Did you manage to do the ICan Progress Checker @DaddyofMonsters?

Original poster
DaddyofMonsters · 07/07/2022 09:46

I did @PritiPatelsMaker and there were two questions that we answered no for. I’m going to chase the hearing test today and speak to the HV again. Thanks.

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 07/07/2022 17:00

Did the test say there where areas of concern? Have you called the ICan Helpline? They can be very useful Wink

Dbrea · 10/07/2022 15:51

In a very very similar situation with my little girl.. but she is little older at 34 months

Felinewoman · 10/07/2022 16:58

@Dbrea what does she say? How dies she communicate?
Mine us just such a happy little camper and she does get across what she wants but I wished she picked up more speed in the expressive language department. Oh well ... I hope it really is just the covid delay...

Dbrea · 10/07/2022 17:15

She has around 75-80words, and a couple of 2-3 word sentences.. she points and gestures.. but back in march she had around 20 words if that! Even though 75-80 words may sound alot she is no where near where she should be for a toddler coming up for 3. She is starting nursery in September, so I'm hoping she picks alot up there.

Dbrea · 10/07/2022 17:16

I'm also hoping this is a covid delay.. as she was on 5 months when we went into the first lockdown.. I think they are saying it is having an impact.

Original poster
DaddyofMonsters · 10/07/2022 20:08

@Dbrea that’s the thing, he’s come on massively from a month or two ago and everyday something else seems to click into place but he’s still … a year or so behind I think. We were in the park today and another little boy a few months older was playing with him and it’s worlds apart.

I'm considering keeping him back from school a year if that’s possible.

OP posts:
Dbrea · 10/07/2022 20:27

I completely understand everything you are saying.. the worry takes over you life doesn't it. I wish I had some wise words to tell you but I don't as I am still worried about my little girl.. I avoid friends with kids the same age or round abouts because it just reminds me how behind my little girl is. Even though she's 2.10 months she's more around 2/2.5. one thing I can tell you to think about is.. if you take the speech delay away and your son was chatting away like a kid his own age.. would you have any other concerns? I say that to myself when I'm having a bad day, because the answer for me would be no I don't have any other concerns because she doesn't have any ASD traits. Also I didn't realize how common speech delays are.

PritiPatelsMaker · 11/07/2022 19:56

Have you managed to speak to the HV yet @DaddyofMonsters?

Original poster
DaddyofMonsters · 11/07/2022 20:37

@Dbrea I'm really sad that it’s making you avoid your friends with similar aged kids, I know it’s hard … I used to lie when people asked how old he was and knock 6 months off his age. We’ve done lots of home test and he has no signs of ADS.

OP posts:
Dbrea · 11/07/2022 21:07

I do exactly the same!! I say 2.5 but she's actually 3 in August 🤦‍♀️

Original poster
DaddyofMonsters · 11/07/2022 23:58

@Dbrea Damn, we shouldn’t feel ashamed. Our little kids need our help and balls to anyone who would judge for having a child who needs extra support.

OP posts:
Felinewoman · 12/07/2022 10:58

I lie about age as well....she is dinky though so it does make it easy to say she's 2 and not almost 2.5
I have a friend with one of those genius kids. He used to speak in sentences and two languages by 1.5....made my little one look really delayed.
Being told that I will wish she didn't speak once she starts is nit helping....I hate peoples' "helpful" comments
I did the iCAN thing as well, 3 questions were a no

Original poster
DaddyofMonsters · 12/07/2022 12:18

@Felinewoman yes my mother in-law thinks she’s being supportive but is actually not helping at all with comments. I need to speak to someone at ICAN today. Think I’ve been putting it off.

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 12/07/2022 16:47

I need to speak to someone at ICAN today. Think I’ve been putting it off.

Have you managed to speak to them yet @DaddyofMonsters?

I can understand your reticence but he really does need you to advocate for him.

Dbrea · 02/08/2022 06:38

Just a little message to see how everyone and their little ones are getting on?

Felinewoman · 02/08/2022 07:46

We are still waiting for SLT appointment and have a HV visit scheduled for mid August. My wee one is definitely progressing, we're up to approx. 90 words or something like that and last week she used "that's me", "for me" and "daddy book". I guess that counts as two word sentences?
She is also working on her "s" sounds and other consonants. It is very slow but steady progress.
On another note: what would you do if you child was bitten three times in a day by the same child at nursery? I know kids do that....but 3 times?
About to drop her off and have a chat with the manager. She doesn't want to go to nursery :-( usually she is looking forward to it.