Worried about lack of speech

[fireandbrimstoneetall]

Hey, just wondering if I should be worried? Dd is 22 months and is only saying single words. Or short phrases like 'bye bye plane'. She seems to drop the end of her words too, so bottle becomes 'bot' and friends are 'fre'...

Her other baby friend are speaking in sentences and I am getting more and more worried...

She's a very active child and physically she is way beyond her peers, thinks nothing of scaling big kid's climbing frames and throwing herself down massive slides, she's a good swimmer (as much as a nearly two year old can be) etc.

Not sure whether or not to be worried that her speech seems to be so far behind? I'm a single parent, working full time and her father is not allowed contact for safeguarding reasons.

How can I encourage her to speak more?

Thanks.

My son is 3 next month and doesn't even say single words. He is totally non verbal and will be going to speech therapy next month (when he is 3!). The wait is very long. We have been waiting since February so that's 8 months.

I wouldn't make comparisons but when you go to her 2 year review and you feel she is still not talking at the rate she should be, I would mention it as it's much better to get an early referral. At least that way you can go on the waiting list then if she starts talking fully during the wait, you can always inform SALT that you no longer require it.

I wish I had picked up that my son was behind with talking at 22 months then that way, he may have been referred a few months earlier and be talking by now.

He never attended childcare due to me only working part time and mil helping but since April this year, he has been attending playgroup 4 mornings a week which has helped things but just not his speech really

Honestly don’t worry about the fact she goes to nursery.

My sons SALT goes to see him at nursery, and communicates mostly with his key worker (and us via reports in the post).

Sounds like my DS. I went to a SALT drop in at the local children's centre which put my mind at rest, and like your DD my DS is physically very capable. SALT team weren't worried and said they like to see 2/3 word sentences by 2.5 but it was a very flexible guideline.

My goodness! She wouldn't even be classed as behind yet!
OP keep doing what you're doing. I'm sure some children put all their energy in to mastering physical skills before they get round to talking.
To the poster suggesting too much screen time, those studies were done on children who have a screen on pretty much constantly and limited other interaction.

I think it's mad that you think your child is behind because she doesn't know her colours before she is even two years old.

Almost all your posts are comparing her: she's 'very advanced' physically but 'behind' with speech. My advice would be to enjoy your daughter for who she is, follow her interests and maybe spend less time with these other mums if they have the same competitive attitude.

Please don't worry, it's not because she can't be arsed, it literally is just developmentally easier. I'm a SLT and it's something I've worked on lots of times. In our area we run Drop Ins where you can come and get a basic SLT assessment from 2 1/2. Before that they are too young for direct therapy anyway. Please feel free to DM me if you would like any further advise or info. And please do try not to worry. X

She sounds fine OP!! Not behind at all, I’m surprised people are suggesting she is. If she understands lots and has some words she is doing fine! Stop comparing her!

honestly don't worry. you get walkers and talkers, yours is clearly a walker. she'll get there soon enough

Thanks all. Sorry, I didn't mean to make it sound like I was comparing her.... well I guess I am really, it is just playing on my mind that all her friends (who are days or weeks older, not months) can actually talk. It's reassuring to know that hopefully she is just normal after all. It's just a bit depressing when other parents seem quite shocked when she can't count or name colours etc.