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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

If you're concerened about your childs speech - when should you 'see' someone about it?

37 replies

PanicPants · 07/02/2008 16:55

Ds is 2 and a half, and whilst I've been quietly concerened for a few months I've always thought he'd start getting clearer eventually. But the CM has mentioned it now as well.

He has quite a good and varied vocabulary but hardly ever pronounces anything right, mainly just says the vowel sounds in the middle of a word and lots of words are accompanied by an extra sssss on the end.

He is lashing out at the moment physically, and I wonder how much of this is frustration.

I'm a teacher so I understand the value of reading stories daily, talking with him, repeating the words he says etc etc.

But is it too soon to seek outside help?

TIA

OP posts:

TotalChaos · 07/02/2008 17:37

I would go with your gut instinct and try and get a SALT referral now (you may be on list for anything between a few months or a year, depending on local provision). HVs etc seem to regard 3 as the "magic" age - in that lots of late talking kids suddenly start talking properly by 3. But since your issue is a bit different, I would try not to be fobbed off.

bubblagirl · 07/02/2008 17:54

no my ds was referred at 2 the earlier the better

they will just do work with him and assessments until 3 then they can do more my ds hasn't had any SALT as yet buthas had nice lady come out and do work with him as the wait is so long so you need to refer as early as possible to stand a chance

lucyellensmum · 07/02/2008 17:54

i got a SALT refferal for DD at 18m, so its never too early. It turned out that she is just a late developer and is coming on OK now (2.5) although her vocab is not as extensive and clear as her friends, it is on the way.

It couldnt hurt to get a professional opinion. DD had speech therapy, i couldnt tell you if it helped or not, it certainly did no harm

What i found an absolute boon for the frustration was makaton sign language and i feel that it was the key for her spoken language coming on as it increased her confidence.

Another good thing i was told was choices - do you want a red or green cup, do you want juice or water? That way you are asking them to repeat what you have said with no pressure because you are providing the words.

I'm sure he will be just fine though.

Marne · 07/02/2008 17:57

Should i be worried as dd2 is 2 and does'nt talk at all, she does make a few noises but does'nt realy say anything.

tassisssss · 07/02/2008 17:57

the problem can also be waiting lists, so you might want to get his name down now even though it may be resolved by the time his appointment comes through

guess this depends on where you live, ubt friends here have had to wait 6 months to a year for a referral.

CarGirl · 07/02/2008 17:59

yep ask for salt referral now, been there got the postcard and going through it all again with my youngest

FillyjonkisCALM · 07/02/2008 17:59

i'd get a SALT referral now, because there seems to be a huge waiting list, at least round here. of course this is caused by people getting onto it at around 18 months because there is known to be a huge waiting list but...what else can you do?

Ds was referred to a SALT at 18 months, he was seen at 3.5 (I know other kids who were referred at say 3, who were then seen at 5 )

Like LEM, he was just a late developer and now has an enormous vocabulary BUT I know how bloody worrying it is. good luck!

TotalChaos · 07/02/2008 18:02

Marne - how many months past 24 months is she? I would get her on the list - as you can always take her off it if it magically improves. Don't panic, as many kids (particularly if their understanding is good, and they point), are just late talkers, and magically catch up by 3 without intervention, but I would keep an eye on it.

bubblagirl · 07/02/2008 18:05

marne i took my ds at 2 as had not many words and was baby talking still they reffered him

it wont hurt to get a refferal now even in the next few months dd may start throwing words out

my ds 2.7 and just putting words together knows lots of words now but conversation is not coming easy although managing to communicate via the choices and now can ask for certain things

my gp said at 2 he should have at least 50 single words so just refer her early as we are having such a long wait its frustrating but she should be doing more

but alot of children by 3 are reaching the right milestones some are just a bit slower but ask hv to refer anyway

wilbur · 07/02/2008 18:08

We have exactly the same thing with ds2 - he is 2 1/2 as well and his speech is extremely limited and what there is is very unclear. He almost has his own language - Mummy/Daddy is Maya/Daya, Morning is Ming-na and so on. Dd, who is now nearly 5 was very similar (although slightly less delayed) and she has just finished a course of SALT which she started at about 3 and a half. She only had about 6 formal sessions, and then we had exercises to do at home, but they have helped enormously and she is now completely caught up with her peers. When I said to the SALT that I had ds2 who was going the same way as dd, she referred him straight away so we have an assessment in early April. BTW, ds1 was also speech delayed, but less than the others, and he now has an excellent vocab and we can't shut him up.

wilbur · 07/02/2008 18:11

And I agree about the magically catching up thing - lots of kids do that. Dd was starting to speed up just after she turned 3, and we only referred her to SALT because she was having trouble making friends at nursery - 3 year olds are, understandably, not patient in getting someone to repeat themselves if they are not understood first time round. They just walk away.

McDreamy · 07/02/2008 18:11

My DS is 2.5 and has a wide vocabulary but his pronunciation isn't great, we can understand quite easily but I would probably have to translate a lot of words for someone outside the family. Now you have got me thinking!

rosmerta · 07/02/2008 18:18

My 2yr ds is exactly the same as yours McDreamy, we've spoken to our HV & she's getting us a referral to a speech therapist just in case.

We are probably been a bit paranoid about it but I think better to check iyswim

bubblagirl · 07/02/2008 18:19

mcdreamy that is perfectly normal my SDALT says at this age genuinly only people close will understand and pronounciations come later

as my ds can say some things but cannot pronounce properly they say its fine as long as talking as a {normal} child would

my ds does not do this took him untill 2.5 to start with more singular words then he can do some 2 and 3 words but still no questions or conversation

conversation is still un reconisable but good as he is trying

your ds sounds fine to me in the words of SALT sounds perfectly normal if by the age of 3 no one understanding then possible problem but by then he will be fine as such wide vocab he's doing great

Lulumama · 07/02/2008 18:24

my DD got a SALT referral at 2. due to not having anywhere near 50 words, and me bieng the only one who could understand her! her appt has come through for next week, 6 months after the referral, and she has just started talking properly ( ish!) i took her to the doctors a month ago, who told me to bring her back after a month for review, as she felt that DD was on possibly on the cusp of a speech delay... but it seems like she will be ok

taking her back tomorrow for her review and SALT next week, and am hoping we will be discharged pretty quick

it suddenly all started happening in a matter of days, she could suddenly talk

tonight, DS gave her a kiss, and she said, 'yuck, disgusting !!" really clearly,!

McDreamy · 07/02/2008 18:25

Thank you that is so reassuring. His sister was a very early speaker and I remember having proper conversations with her. I try not to compare but sometimes you can't help it.

McDreamy · 07/02/2008 18:27

DS said to me today "mummy, juice cup, orange juice, right now.......please" . Not doubt about his expanding range of words!!!! Cheeky beggar!

McDreamy · 07/02/2008 18:28

Just out of interest though when you say you have been given 'exercises' by your SALT what kind of thing does that entail?

bubblagirl · 07/02/2008 18:30

youn are so lucky i get juice pease nunny something like that but i have to prompt it

he is doing great so dont panic he can say i wug you and that just makes me swell with pride as 5 mths ago he wasnt saying anything

scanner · 07/02/2008 18:31

My ds was like this at 2 and is better now, but still misses the sound off the beginning of some words. I've wondered if he may have a problem with his hearing, but hasn't showed any signs and I've done my own fairly basic tests (whispering etc) and he's had no problems hearing me. However, last week he failed his school hearing test in one ear and the HV is fairly convinced that this is why his speech isn't quite right. He's 5 btw. So it may be worth taking you dc to the HV and asking for a hearing test now, I wish I had.

IndigoMoon · 07/02/2008 18:32

dd was got a salt referral at two for stammering

Sparkletastic · 07/02/2008 18:34

Got loads of referrals for everything for my DD2 (21 mths) a couple of months ago. Had 1st SALT appt yesterday. She said what lots of wise MNetters on this thread are saying - likely to sort itself out (delayed speech - only has 6 'words') but early intervention never hurts and may help. We are going again in 2 weeks for an intensive Makaton training sesh for me and DD2 so I can teach rest of family. Basic idea is to use Makaton to reinforce everything you say - espesh since it slows you down and forces you to use simple sentence structures. I'd say if you have a worry then get going on a referral as they have some good advice.

pagwatch · 07/02/2008 18:43

It is also very helpful for a childs own frustration level for you to seek assistance.
With my DS I was asking him questions all the time to try and provoke speech and by the time I got the good advice to just damn stop it , he was a red ball of fury and frustration.
Makaton and stuff can help a child communicate while their speech catches up - it will not delay their speech but will only help.
I would also tell anyone who feels their child is struggling a little with speech to get Eye-Q into them. It DOES help the speech areas of the brain. My sons speech inproved dramaticaly ( aged 4) with these and diet changes.
As has been siad on MN before the book Baby Talk by Dr Sally Ward is excellent help.

CarGirl · 07/02/2008 19:26

Panicpants has for a hearing test as well dd2 had glue ear which had hindered her speech developments as well. Glue ear/hearing problems are best ruled out before speech therapy is assessed anyway.

Original poster

PanicPants · 07/02/2008 19:57

Wow - thanks everyone. Went away to do tea, bath and bed, and have come back to all these replies!

Right ok, it seems that it is best to seek some sort of referral. Do I do that through the HV (who I haven't seen since I went back to work) or through the gp, or doesn't it matter?

OP posts:

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