Speech delay?

[Littlemisscuppa]

My 2 years 3 month son can say over 50 plus words alphabet, numbers, colours, animals, clothing items etc. However he refuses to use words at times. For example he can say mama but doesn't call me mama for my attention instead he grabs me or whines. He does say random animals when he sees them, cars when he sees them, all done is a favourite phrase used a lot but I am worried. He's started to bench words. Used to say baby a lot to his sister but now he has stopped. My hv isn't concerned but I've decided to seek a private speech therapist. He does attend nursery and the nursery said not he's settled in (2 months later) he will say words such as coat, outside, numbers, colours, all done. I'm worried he's just saying the same words again again not picking up new ones. Anyone in a similar situation or can offer some tips? I just want him communicating more.

When you say that the HV is not concerned, has she assessed him in person and did she ask you to fill in the Ages & Stages Questionnaire and the Social & Emotional Questionnaire?

has she mentioned the charity Talking Point to you? They have a progress checker and sone useful resources for Parents

His next assessment is in June and when she assessed him before she said he's on track but the lower the. Thanks for the link I'll check it out!

It's definitely worth going through the questionnaires (and note the scoring sheets at the end – they never expect 6 out 6 yeses in a section for development to appear on track). If he does score 'in the black', it can be helpful to get the HV's or GP's attention, as it's some evidence that he needs support and not just 'anxious mum'.

Reading your description, does he use words to communicate wants/needs/interests with you, or is he mostly labelling things (to himself more than to you)? If he says dog! and looks at you to see if you've seen the dog, and then car!, looking to you, and so on, that's different from if he's listing off dog, car, bus, car as he sees them, without the engagement with you to share in the experience. If he wants something, would he say 'outside' or 'snack', or 'ball' or whatever it is, or does he not use words in that way yet?