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Children's health

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21 month old speech

8 replies

worriedmumma21 · 26/06/2022 10:19

I am worrying to the point of feeling depressed and I can't not worry. I have nothing else left I can do/try! We are seeing a paediatrician in a few months (can't get in any sooner), we see a speech pathologist, and I also have done the speech sister's course.

My 21 month old daughter has a speech delay. I have known this since she was about 11 months, so I have been working at this for a year almost. The things that worry me the most lately are

-she still has only said mum about 2 times in her in her life. This is something that worries my hugely. She can say da and the occasional daddy. Google says this is supposed to be mastered by 12 months.

-She is beginning to imitate words more frequently, but it's hit and miss. A few weeks ago she was saying the word up and climbing up things at the park, or she would come over and put her hands up and say up for to be picked up, but I haven't heard it again for a few weeks. It's like once she learns a new word, we don't hear it again for a while.

-She rarely shakes her head for no, but she can do it. She is still yet to nod her head. This is another huge worry for me. We have shown her for months every time we offer her something either nodding or shaking.

-She doesn't put out things in books. So if I said where the ball in her book she won't point at it, however if I ask her where someone is in person like her sister, the cat etc she will point. She also points at things of interest or things she wants

Those are my main worries. I am going to be honest, I am very worried about ASD, however there are more things pointing towards her not having ASD then having it.

She's really great with pretend play. She doesn't do any stimming etc. She doesn't seem to be sensory. She probably has about 30 words if I am being generous, but like I said they can be hit and miss.

Am I worrying unnecessarily? Does anyone else have a relatable story about something like this turning out all fine?

OP posts:
worriedmumma21 · 26/06/2022 10:22

I should add. She had her hearing tested and is fine

OP posts:
worriedmumma21 · 26/06/2022 10:27

Oh and she can follow instructions fine, including getting things from another room etc

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 26/06/2022 10:35

Nothing sounds unusual- my 20month old, I think your expectations are a bit high. I’m not denying the speech delay, does she babble say mamama and dadada? Have you had her seen for gluear etc?
My child will follow instructions but doesn’t point when instructed, certainly doesn’t nod.

CityCommuter · 26/06/2022 10:40

Your DD sounds fine to me! Stop worrying as she most likely picks up on this vibe and knows you're worrying about her speech if you're talking about it in front of her with others. All children are different and develop at different paces. The fact she can follow instructions and point to people suggests she doesn't have ASD. Does she have good eye contact and like cuddles? Some children are selective when they talk and will only talk if they want to and when they decide... she might be trying to be a 'baby' for longer if she's the youngest. Children at this age often become aware of 'growing up'! Also as she's got an older DS she might do the talking for her like a lot of siblings!

Exactfare · 26/06/2022 10:44

My 2nd had about 6 words at that age (and didn't say mama), I spoke to he HV and a private SaLT who all advised to give him time and not worry unless he was showing no understanding (a much bigger red flag than speech itself)

He started talking in sentences shortly after his 2nd birthday 🤷‍♀️ and is now a very verbose 3.5yrs, just skipped the one/two words phase entirely

bogoblin · 26/06/2022 10:46

My son is also 21 months and just does not say mum or dad or any variation! His speech isn't advanced as some of his peers but I'm not too worried yet - he's still so young and has plenty of time to develop, and he understands a lot - he just doesn't want to perform for us when we ask him things. She might just not be interested in things in books and prefer real life!
On the not saying a word for a while again front - we've had that. I think it's like when they were learning new skills as babies - they would master something then be like, Ah I've done that now, into the next one.
There's such a huge range of skills at this age and all children are different. Sometimes I don't understand why my son's speech isn't better having been bombarded with "read to them every day and they'll be little orators", which we do, but he is who he is and he does things in his own time. Your daughter sounds fine to me!

GreatCrash · 26/06/2022 10:46

My DS barely had any words before he was 2yo. He's now 12yo and is a bright boy, all top sets etc. I'm not going to tell you not to worry but honestly it will probably be fine.

Summerwetordry · 26/06/2022 11:08

Mine all had a big vocabulary by that age, but my neighbour's son hadn't spoken a word, not even mumma or dadda by his second birthday. He wasn't walking either. I took my DC to his second birthday party where he sat quietly in a corner. Suddenly he got to his feet, walked across the room and spoke to his mother in full sentences! Everyone was flabbergasted and thrilled. He was completely hitting all targets from that day on. It was said that he wanted to have fully mastered speaking and walking before he tried to do it. Having other children his age enjoying themselves triggered him to join in. Don't worry OP, all children are so different. I know my examples are extreme, but it's too early to worry.

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