Just joined bit nervous!-toddler speech delay

[Rubycat321]

Hi, I've just joined Mums net after having a bad day with my eldest son who has a speech delay. He is 3 in August and only has a handful of words. He moans a lot and points etc babbles in his own language. Gets very frustrated with everyone. I've got lots more to say but just wondered if anyone was in the same situation :( thank you in advance xxxx

Oh, x-post, it's already been started.

Private SALT is expensive. I would look for a different therapist, though, as one who cannot engage a 3 year old is not what you need.

It might be worth getting hold of the Hanen books - More Than Words and It Takes Two to Talk. They are expensive (maybe try your library?), but I have heard lots of good things about them - many posters over on the SN boards swear by them. Working through them will give you and your ds a good grounding.

Thank you for your suggestions hanen is what the NHS therapy was based on x

One thing I haven't seen mentioned, that may or may not have any bearing on his speech, is tongue tie - does he have one?

A friend of mine's child had very poor speech at 3 - but had 2 problems, one being severe tongue tie and the other being glue ear. He had the tongue tie snipped which meant he could make sounds more easily, and grommets so he could hear them better and reproduce them.

Tongue tie can be overlooked sometimes, so it's worth asking if he's been checked for it.

Another friend's DS has verbal apraxia, diagnosed at 3 - he's now 6 and speaking far better (although also now has a diagnosis of dyspraxia) but has been having speech therapy for a couple of years now.

I agree that it is far better to get him assessed for the need for intervention rather than just "wait and see" - because the longer you leave it, the harder it will be if he does need help.