Is there a SALT on here who can tell me how delayed this is?

[Kewcumber]

DS aged 2yrs 4 months, says single syllable words - some very clearly (more, no, yeth, cat) some very indistinct (George = goosh, thomas = joosh), won't use two syllables at all even with words that he did previously eg Mummy has deteriorated into (my), nanny = ny. Uses "eee" in place of "oooo" eg says pee when he means poo, bee instead of boo etc.

Social worker wants me to ask for SALT now as she says in her experience this pattern of speech is not normal.

Does someone have experience of how abnormal/delayed this is?

Hi all - been lurking and was prompted by CristinaTheAstonishing's website to pop on and say thank you for that! Lots of v interesting info.

Anyway my DS is 2.1 and I suspect delayed speech. I know, I know, it sounds young, but as parents you know your child best, and after months of pondering I decided to get an expert opinion because I really do think he's 'stuck' and resorts to whining, grunting, or one of 5 sounds strung together ...

I contacted my local SLT department directly, which sent my HV, who sent some forms back to the SLT dept, who should then invite me to request to be seen by a SALT at the local clinic w/in 6 weeks. I guess I should feel lucky it's not a longer wait.

Today we had minor progress. Till now when he wants something, he whines, points, and I guess and let him lead me to it. Today I decided he is capable of at least saying "puh" for "please" (he can say Papa after all) so out of sheer frustration, I mimicked his whining back to him, alternating with ignoring him, and prompting with the correct word. He actually did eventually come out with something sounding like "leee" --- . Must view this with cautious optimism.

Good luck the rest of you, I know it's a struggle...

Hi Kew
He is vey young and having been through so much,both physically and psychologically, I would be surprised frankly if there wasn't some language delay.

In addition, coping with a second language is well known to have an (initial) slowing effect on language development, althogh in most cases, subsequenbt catch up is quick.

Good rule of thumb is to expect single words at 1, two words together at around 2, and short sentences (3 words or so) at 3. Some children will be faster,some will be slower but arguably your ds is in the realms of what is consiered 'normal' (althoguh o course I cannot assess online as a result of a tiny bit of info.)

HVs generally know even less about language devpt. than they do about breastfeeding but yours is right at least in ascertaining that his use of vowels is unusual.

You cna ask for referral to an NHS salt although it takes time unfortunately. Not enough of us about you see.

If you want to go private, a one off assessment and fairly comprehensive report should cost about £150 (not sure though). Best place to find one is via this bona fide website.Look for one near you who lists Child Language and Phonology as a specialism/area of interest.
Let me konw how you get on eh?

Help with talking

Thanks moondog - in fact it was me who pointed out to her that I thought his use of vowels was unusual! In fact since I started thinking more about it in the last week I have been a bit more conistent with correcting him and telling him I don't understand (when I don't) rather than just guessing what he means..... as a result we had our first "poo" on the potty yesterday (both physically and verbally!!!)

I'll read your link and work a bit harder on it myself then if I still think there is a problem in a couple of months when he has his HV check up - I will ask for a referral then.

Ah,thought she seemed unusually on the ball!
Obv. not!

Sounds like a good plan.
Best therapy of all is lots of love and talking and playing, which I know your ds has in spades.

though I am now preening that I caught it and she didn't. Interestingly (I think) he still has a vowel sound which is Russian in sound which doesn't exist in English (sort of a cross between and English "oy" and Welsh "w") which is odd as he never spoke any Russian. maybe its co-incidence. I wonder how deep seated the sounds you hear in the first year are.

The other issue that delays sepeech in many insititutionalised chidlren is the lack of one-to-one care eg no singing songs or stories at bedtime, no running commentary on moo-cows or trains when out in the car. However this normally results in a global language delay with many childrne not speaking at all until they are three. Apparently DS is unusual in his talking but with odd characteristics.

I'm beginning to think that he just likes to keep me on my toes...

Kew - do you sing a lot with him? I never did until I had to take over a class recently. As a result, my DSs hear a CD, I'm using, all the time. They both enjoy it and both have clearly benefitted from it. DS1, pretty normal language development (3 languages), sings songs - previously, he didn't as we've missed out on all the group singing, done in the UK. DS2, who does have a language delay, strung three sentences together for the very first time - incy, wincey spider. I love that CD !

We always sing at bedtime (current favorite is "Happy Birthday to you" with 1543 verses naming every person we can think of!) but not som much outside of that which is odd as I love singing. What CD have you got - think I'll get one for the car. DS loves incy wincey spider too - though his actions to "wind the bobbin up" are hilarious with much wild waving of arms.

It's "The Elephant Collection" by the Music Class. They're an American company who do what their name says . They're coming from a teach your child music angle - I use it for teaching English. The only downside is I suddenly find myself singing in the weirdest of places. I have a spare if you'd like a very belated-adoption present; also happy to send it to a post box address, if you'd prefer.