Help with toddler who has speech delays

[Lily8904]

My DD is 3yrs and 7months, she has speech delays and it's becoming very challenging. She hasn’t been able to say a sentence yet. She’s not really responding to her name or simple instructions and recently she developed some challenging behaviour.
She was a very happy girl, full of joy, now she cries most of the time and has tantrums at least twice a day. It's very frustrating, the only thing that calms her down is a particular snack she likes (which isn't too healthy for her).

My husband thinks it’s a phase and it will pass soon but I'm not sure and honestly, our different views are taking a toll on our relationship too.
The only help we got from the council is a couple of online group speech therapist classes which haven't helped much.

What I want to know is, was anyone here in that same situation and can help by giving me tips on how to keep her calm? or how to get better help/support?

This is really affecting my mental and physical health as I'm still grieving my mum who passed away last year and I feel tired, drained and down all the time and frankly without hope.

Please help.

Do you have any GP/HV support? Sometimes you need to be pushy. Is she at nursery?

I would make a list of the things you think she is behind with and take it, and her, to the GP. They can refer you to paediatrician who will be able to look into possible reasons for delays etc.

At that age my husband still refused to accept our DC was autistic and severely delayed. A year later he was fully on board and we were enrolling our child in a special school. A lot can change very quickly but you need to get that ball rolling in the first place. The special needs boards on here will help.

I disagree with your husband that this is "just a phase", it sounds like something a bit more than that. I would take her to your GP.

She's at nursery and they've also shared their concerns. I definitely need to be pushier with the GP, because she hasn't been seen or been able to get an appointment

Thank you for all your replies. I'm going to get an appointment with my GP first thing.

my now teen dc had similar issues
Push to have her hearing checked - there is a condition called glue ear. Easily solved with grommets- they may not want to do this operation but it is essential if she has glue war. I could talk about anything in front of him. Wasn’t until dc 2 arrived who didn’t have glue ear that I realized he couldn’t hear me!

also you could learn some simple sign language together . I used this with dc and it greatly reduced his frustration. We had all gone, drink, more etc. You can use the baby sign language or make up your own.

push for a referral to a speech and language therapist. Or go private if affordable. This is essential for kids with speech issues. The salt can tell you the reason for the speech issues - usually

Also when you talk get down to her level and talk - one so she can see you model good speech and also she can hear you if she has glue ear.
Afasic is a good speech charity
Some useful links cchp.nhs.uk/explore-cchp/childrens-speech-language-therapy/childrens-slt-how-get-help

ican.org.uk

Teach her baby sign language, eases her frustration and yours plus it will help her with her spoken language once she can talk better.

Keep pushing and totally insist on being referred to the local Speech and language Therapists. Wither via your GP or nursery or health visitor. Or find out if you can self refer. The SALTs are the communication specialists and you need their input. I know.....I am one !

Our nursery referred my son after I raised it with them so that might be an option if you can't get a GP appointment