Delayed Speech

[WendyLit]

Hi,

Hoping fellow Mums can offer their advice.

My just turned two year old DS2 has only 30 words in total. These include Nanny, Grandad, Mummy and Daddy. He uses these words infrequently and has to be prompted. There is no linking of 2 words. Outside of the family I do not think many people would understand him.

When trying to get him to say words he often makes sounds that do not sound the same as what we have said. He also often sounds quite nasal.

He is bright in himself, follows instructions, points things out when asked etc.

We are not aware of any hearing issues.

We just raised our concerns with the Health Visitor who has said that she would leave it and refer him in July when he is 2 1/4. Do you think we should be pushing for a referral now to check his hearing?

As a background. We have a nearly 4 r old DS1 who was linking words at this age (although I do understand all children are different).

Thanks for any advice!

Hi
Both my boys were slow to speak and I would say they were both nearer to three before we had much linking of words or certainly sentences. (A point of reference is both were toilet-trained by 2 and 2 months but did not have the adequate vocabulary to properly express their needs and we relied on much finger pointing and other physical clues)
My older son had glue ear and needed grommets fitted at three but my younger son did not have this issue. They both went from barely any words to full sentences in a very short period of time and by 3 and a half were exactly the same as their peers.
I don't think a hearing test can do any harm, just to rule out any problems. After that, I would relax until he is nearer to 3 and you may well find that the problem resolves itself all of a sudden.

Thanks for the advice. Relief to hear they catch up eventually!

Will call HV back and see if we can get hearing checked as a precaution.

My DS is 2.3 yrs and was referred to SALT at 2 yr review in Feb. Got appointment within 6 wks who wasn't overly worried although did say his language is under developed compared to his peers. He has got a hearing test in May, after an 8 wk wait (was warned it would be 18 wks) and also been put on parent workshop.

Deep down I think he will do it in his own time but always worth checking it out, as I would never have forgiven myself if I'd left it and a year down the line discovered a more serious problem.

DS is saying more things now and repeating what we say, and came out with a whole sentence the other day which was a total surprise! But he is still not linking many 2-word sentences and probably has 50-60 words in total.

Go with your instinct as only you know your child in every aspect. Good luck!

MY DS1 had a speech delay and was referred at 2 as he had barely any words. We have moved areas where the SALT is even better
( and weekly, not bi monthly) and now he is 3.8 he has made brilliant progress. He never stops talking,EVER (aargh), can use complex sentences, and is talking with more clarity.

In other words, don't worry. Its apparently more common in boys. My mother also says that I had a speech delay and only spoke baby talk at age 3. I now have an English degree and am usually articulate (depending on sleep deprivation).

An early delay doesn't mean a permanent problem and SALT have usually seen it all before, so don't worry and good luck. Its still early days.

b