30 month old with speech of a 12 - 18 month

[DaddyofMonsters]

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.

My eldest always had a lot to say but I couldn’t understand a lot of it. She started nursery and omg - the change was insane. She’s 4 now and she speaks so well. If he doesn’t attend any preschool or nursery provisions yet I would look into some or even play groups where you can stay too. He will get there eventually, he won’t speak like this forever! (I know it feels like he will but he will catch up!)

I'd just like to jump on this thread if that's OK. My 3 year old hardly speaks at all. She says "ooh" for thank you and love you. Says "ight" for night. "Ig" for pig but has started to say "elp me" the last week or two when, well, she needs help. She was referred for SLT back in February and have been told earliest we are looking at an assessment appointment is April 2023. I cried when I heard.

We've been trying to potty train, but she can't tell us.

She understands every blooming thing you say to her.

Looked at private, and assessment and four sessions is just under £500 upfront. I havent got that sort of money.

I feel totally and utterly helpless and feel like the shittest mother in the world.

She starts her 30hours nursery in September. I'm gripping on to the tiniest thread that this might spur her on.

Sorry for the outburst. I just don't know what to do anymore 😢

I think understanding is the most important thing. It sounds like she is trying to communicate, which is great.
Does your little one communicate in other ways?
It is a shame that it takes so long for SLT. We had our assessment when our dd turned 2 and they referred her "just in case". But up here it takes a year or so from assessment to the first session.

Also, just to give you some hope....my mom says that I was almost 3 when I spoke my first word and now I'm fluent in 3 languages and have a PhD....so there's hope. And you're definitely not a shitty mom!

It’s good to hear positive stories about your children progressing at their own pace. I’ve been trying not to worry about my 18 month old son but he’s about 6 months behind where he should be in terms of speech. His communication and receptive language is on point. I don’t know if I should try and put his name down for SALT as the waiting lists are so long where I am or should I wait until he is closer to two. He only says about 5 words and I think he’s lazy now as he points and gestures to get everything he wants.

So my little girl has around 70-80 words.. but she still babbles like crazy! But she honestly looks at me like she thinks I know what she's saying 😂.. anyone else experience this? She's 3 next week and starts nursery in September.. I feel sick with anxiety but I know it's for the best.

I’m in this exact same shoes. He’s 30 months old now. Can I kindly ask if your baby has made any progress and what steps you took?
thanks so much

My 33 months old has like 70/80 words, he babbles a lot and looks like me as if we are having a conversation. He understands ever directive you give him and I feel like he just can’t be bothered to talk. Has annoying been in these shoes and how did you progress please?
thank you