21 month old delayed in speaking and gestures.

[RachJ14]

Hi all,

Looking for anyone with similar experiences or advice on delayed language and gestures in toddlers.

My amazing little boy has just turned 21 months and has a huge delay in words, gestures, pointing etc, which after falling in the google rabbit are big red flags for autism.

We have had a few words from him which come and go, dadda, car, up, down and Phil (dogs name 😂) but he’s not hugely consistent is using these words, it’s like he lacks confidence. He also doesn’t point to objects to share interest, or when he wants something. He can point and has done so before but only on his own terms. Same with clapping and waving, he can do it, but only on his terms.

He attended a speech and language clinic a few weeks ago and they have said come back when he is 2 is no further forward. They seem to think he has an understanding delay and that’s why he’s not speaking or really gesturing.

i will also totally stick my hand up and say I don’t think as a mum I’ve done enough to teach him to gesture, speak and point etc! I do now that he is delayed.

He is a social little boy, who makes great eye contact, has shared interest, smiles and laughs with you, plays peek a boo, brings me books to read, likes you to play with him and his toys. He’s also mega active and has been really ahead with all his physical milestones. Overtakes 4 year olds at soft play etc! He doesn’t necessarily play with other kids, but he will interact with them, goes to soft plays and totally fine in loud busy environments. No sensory issues, apart from a bit nervous if strange people come in the house- but he eventually warms up after 15 mins then engages with them.

huge long post and I’ve probably rambled too much.

Anyone a similar experience and should I be worried? I currently feel sick with worry about his development.

Thanks!

My daughter is 20 months and the words have suddenly started coming. Until she was 18/19 months she only said 3 words really. And then in the last few weeks it’s like it’s suddenly clicked for her and now we get multiple new words every day.

Toddlers do everything in their own time, they all develop at different rates. I was so worried about my daughter’s speech delay, convinced we were doing something wrong and comparing her to children the same age etc. You’re doing a great job and your little one will do it all in their own time.

My little boy was the same and turned out he was deaf in one ear, and probably had some hearing issues in the other before we got round to assessment.

We don’t know the cause, suspect glue ear or due to repeated ENT infections, and there is also family history with several close relatives needing hearing aids, very few words at 2y4m. A year later his hearing was fine and now (2 years on) he talks about dinosaurs all day and can tell you the make of most cars going past.

At the time we thought he was doing ok, it was his ENT consultant who was concerned, but having our second has highlighted what a gap there was. I look back at videos now and it’s really obvious. He was almost 3 when he started to catch up.

How is your little one now?

@oceanraine

He is progressed so much since I posted, still not talking, however, we have lots of word sounds and he does babble words lots- just not in any context yet.
He started pointing to request and share interest at around 22 months, and now also shakes his head to say no! Waves to say bye and communicates much more now.
I’m hoping we are getting closer to speaking as he is really trying with his words, just struggles to converse yet.
All in all it’s been fab to watch him progress in the last few months, but still a worry about his speech!
he also interacts with children and adults so much more now! He loves company and seeks out attention and interaction from others a lot more. Excellent at sharing with others and good with turn taking.

Hope this is helpful but if you need any more info happy to chat!

Also his understanding has honestly come on so so much! He’s like a different kid!
can point to pretty much any object in a book now, numbers, colours, animals, food, transport ect! So his understanding is really there now, hopefully that means words will follow soon!

Mine didn’t really start talking until she was 2, and I don’t think it’s super unusual. No issues with development, I'm sure your little boy will get there soon! In my experience once they get the hang of it the words tend to snowball!

My oldest sat his GCSEs this summer.
Back then, the 2 year check was "has he got 10 words". DS failed that check. About 27 months, sentences just started pouring out of him.

Yes, it's definitely worth keeping an eye on, but the speech on its own isn't a massive worry yet.

I can't remember the timings for gestures etc.

@Cantseetreesforthewood thank you! As a worried mum its so lovely to have other mums share similar experiences and have reassurance that all children develop at their own rate! He started gestures at 22 months so that’s not so much a worry now, if I was to guess I’d say he has an expressive communication delay!

@Edenmum2 thank you! I’m really hoping for that burst of language soon that I’ve heard a few mums say their littles had! I do feel he’s getting there, so fingers crossed!