22 month old son does not talk am so worried help

[wondermum1]

Please help, my 22 month old ds does not talk, he says random words and some are clear, like daddy, and some aren't like duckyou which means thank you. He does not say words unless really pushed and then they are pretty unclear. He does not seem to finish consonants well, for example, duck to him is duuuu. He is happy, affectionate, very physical (runs, climbs, walked early etc) and I took him to a speech therapist at 18 months who said he was speech delayed but she had no concerns. Today, my nursery school teacher said she had concerns over his development. I rushed him to a paedeatrician who said he thinks he is normal, and suggests some speech therapy. Has anyone had anything similar? Anyone got a 22month old or thereabouts who does not speak? I feel sick with worry that he is not developing properly and my husband thinks I am over-reacting.

Thanks Chegirl, I hope DS2 improves for you and your worries lessen soon. Take care all

Reading this has been so reassuring. My DD is just over a year old and whilst she chats to herself a lot when playing and can repeat some sounds back to me, I could not say for sure whether she has ever said a recognisable word or not. People keep asking me and saying things like "it won't be long" or telling me what words their darling child can say. I would be amazed if DD had some sort of problem as she seems so quick in lots of other ways and so alert but the way people ask you these questions (including professionals) makes you worry. I think it also depends on what your idea of a proper word is. Because I don't spend much time with her during the day (I work FT) I might miss opportunities to hear her say anything. And I also think that I am naturally quite laid back about these things and so don't really notice because I am not actively concerned about it. Until someone asks me a question about it. WHY do people do that? It's so stressful.

My DD is 23 months and only said 'Daddy' until a month ago (and that only came post 18-months) - I wasn't worried as I could see both her hearing and understanding were fine, but did give HV a call to see if I should be more worried. She told me not to worry until she was 2, so long as there were clearly no issues with hearing/understanding, and even then, it would have been a softly-softly approach with drop in clinics initially.

DD decided 4 weeks ago that actually she could be bothered to try to speak so we've had quite a bit of progress with that, but she's still 'behind' others - but I know others in my family were the same, especially my sister and she never shuts up! A lot of what she says can only be understood by us, but I'm just encouraged that she's trying new words all the time and, more importantly, starting to realise that it can be useful to her - she can ask for things.

I'm sure if she were at nursery that she would seem behind some other children - but from what I can see in group gatherings, she's not the slowest just as not the fastest - and others who aren't talking have been walking for AGES so I think they often just prioritise what's important to them.

Hope that helps, anyway - you've got quite a bit of time yet.

my friend's DS is 28 months old and isn't saying any words at all. OP, thank yourself lucky, at least your LO is actually talking and saying words. better than none at all.

Hi

i am sorry you’re going through this but I had the same. So take your son to a speech therapist to make sure he can follow instructions if he can then don’t worry. My son did not speak until he was about 26 months. Once he started speaking he didn’t stop and went to a top school as well. Be patient!! He will speak! Hang in there

Hi sorry to bother was your darling son diagnosed with autism or did he catch up in the end ? ☺️

Hi he is 17 and caught up. Started talking around 2 and a few months. Got 10 GCSEs half were 9s rest 8s and 7s. He’s not autistic, currently doing A levels. Don’t stress!!!

Thank you and thank you ☺️ best of luck with everything and for the future

I totally understand where you are right now and I was also a first time mum. I can assure you it is normal for your child not to talk yet, especially boys. I wasted a fortune on speech therapists who all told me he would talk when he was ready he was just being lazy. If your son follows instruction (like where’s your drink? Where’s the car?) do not worry x

I have a little girl ( 22 months) ☺️. TBH , I feel like I am drowning and so worried all the time and thank you again for your message .
My little one

1. Answer to where’s and what’s and who’s questions
2. Give kisses and high five
3. Point , wave and clap
4. Ask for what she wants by pointing or using the word for it
5. Follow simple instructions such as : “ bring mum the fork “ pick it up and give it mummy “ come here and stop and wait for mom “ when outside . Sit on the couch , bath time and food time she sits on her little chair , put bunny to bed or bring me the blanket .
6. Uses over a 100 words and sometimes 2 word phrases : like feed baby , daddy train , spin me ( but not that many . Is it a concern ?
7. Says hi to people and kids but gets so overwhelmed and overexcited when she is with unfamiliar people like trying to show off , smiling at them but always maintaining a distance
8. she can point to all her body parts if asking
9. she does a bit of scripting like when waking up from a nap she tends to say good morning or if she points at something in the book , she says the word and goes “ good girl “

I’m not sure what you’re worrying about? She sounds fantastic to me!

it is the social aspect .. she would get overwhelmed when waiting in line for the playgroup to start and I would get all the stares and felt like I was the only parent with a kid who has tantrum 😞 she is a sweet little girl but I guess being an only child makes it harder and her grandparents live in Europe so she only sees us ☺️

She’s only little I wouldn’t worry. Plenty of kids tantrum and when my son started nursery he had tantrums and they teacher spent the whole session blowing bubbles with him. He was ok after a few days. Honestly 22 months is still a baby. Don’t panic. Plus even adults don’t love social situations, it’s normal!