Lack of speech development @ 2.1yrs

[tigersmummy]

My DS is 2.1 yrs old and his language isn't where it should be. HV says he should be saying 50 words and starting to put words together, and all my friend's children of similar age are all doing this - perhaps that's what makes it more frustrating. DS says approx 20 words but many aren't clear - ie garden he says gargle and even though he's been saying it for months he still hasn't progressed. For the letters 'f' 'g' and 'l' is sounds like he pronounces words with a p, like plamp instead of lamp.

We've been referred to speech and language therapist and have appointment this week, think it will put our minds at rest but does anyone have any ideas/advice?

We put such a lot of effort into improving his language, always talking/reading to him, don't know of another child who has more books, but still feel really guilty and responsible for his lack of development. He doesn't seem frustrated by it at the moment but sure that will change and don't want him to feel left out by other children because of it.

I can't really help with ideas, but my DS is 1 month younger than yours and sounds very quite similar. He has lots of single words, but many are unclear and he isn't putting them together yet.

I try not to worry, he seems to have his own path in everything (didn't walk 'till 20m) and our HV is currently unconcerned.

But it's hard not to compare. There is a little girl at the swimming class we go to who is about 3 months younger, but saying stuff like 'I like swimming Mummy!' and 'Getting dressed now?' while my DS is sat there going Pas (splash) Ock (socks) and Ninna (dinner)

Great that you have an appointment - speech therapist should give you lots of ideas, and should also find the positives in his communication which you can build on.

Changes in sounds of words are REALLY common at your ds's age, so in themselves that's not a concern, but the therapist should look at this in detail to spot whether there's anything unusual going on.

Talking Point is a good website if you want to have a look in advance of the appointment. Best of luck to you both.

My ds didn't talk until 2y6m. Well, he said some words but it was pretty much only me that could understand him. He went to pre-school and his talking really took off.

I have to say that he doesn't bloody well STOP talking now

My DS had very few words at 20 months, a lot of words at 2.2 but not stringing them together. At 2.2 I was delighted by a GP telling me he 'should be talking in sentences'.

About 2.3 he started to put things together. He's now rising 4, never shuts up and says things like 'Mummy, I have miscellaneous playdoh on my socks'!

It sounds as if you are doing all the right things - I am sure the speech therapist will be helpful but also think there is every chance your DS will be like mine and many others, and take off when he's ready. It is very individual.

All the best

I recommend this book - "It Takes Two to Talk" published by Hanen.

expensive but oh so worth it.

ask your speech therapist about it - she will almost certainly be happy for you to work with it (and may even be able to lend it to you)

My ds used to only say the vowel sound in the middle of words at that age. Like he would say 'a' for cat 'ay' for plane and 'ah' for garden. If you listen for this you might find he is saying more words. I happened to take his little sister for a hearing test when he was that age and the auiologist said that these vowel sounds counted as saying words

Is he communicating normally otherwise ? And following the same instructions as other children his age ? If he can do that, then he may just be a late developer

I can highly recommend the book "Baby Talk" by Sally Ward. It was recommended to me on MN and really helped both myself and DS when he was dx with an expressive language delay. Got in on Amazon, not cheap but worth every penny.

Thanks for all your advice and words of encouragement. We're trying not to worry, although DH is very concerned and I'm convinced he will develop in his own time, but its hard not to compare when all his little friends are leaps a bounds ahead.

Found the website Talking Point very helpful, thank you, and will ask S&L Therapist which book she recommends. Keep you posted!

My DS is the same as yours and is also just over 2. We've been seeing a SALT which has helped us to understand the best way to speak to him, but it now transpires he has glue ear so his hearing is affected. It's not that obvious day to day but it explains his inability to repeat sounds and his lack of progress with speech.

Have you been to the GP to request a hearing test? It may be a starting point and would obviously rule out problems as well as highlighting any that exist.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things and I'm sure your SALT will help. Good luck.