2 year old speech delay

[ZoolInMyFridge]

Hi there! My gorgeous nearly 2 year old DS is a very happy, content little boy - loves playing with us, lots of laughing, giggling etc. I had a zoom consultation with a speech therapist a few months ago. She assessed him as developmentally in line, apart from his speech where she said there was a delay. She said she would reassess him again at age 2 - but I don’t think his speech has progressed much. He says a couple of words quite clearly ‘daddy’, ‘quack’ - other words are sounds e.g some animal noises. Not saying ‘mummy’ or his sister’s name/his name yet. He tends to only name things in a book, not much in the environment. He rarely points (except to things in a book). He had an audiometry test last week - his ears were clear but he was quite distressed when performing the tasks, so they will reassess in a few weeks time. He is generally very happy, he makes sounds all the time - sings (dee dee da) etc. He can get v anxious in unfamiliar situations, or with new toys. Certain toys like a ride on bike, scooter he absolutely refuses to try. Any ideas? Thank you!

@Zoolinmyfridge
@SillyOldMummy
@Snoopypants

Hey, I know this is an old thread but I am just curious how things are now with your kids?

Have you any tips that you found really worked with pre-verbal children? My child presents almost exactly how yours all have. Says some words but not conversationally or to request anything. I feel that in my attempts to 'teach' them they zone me out or ignore me which makes me feel useless. Were your children similar?

Thanks in advance 😊

Hi @Emerald237, DS has slowly made progress in all areas but I would say he’s at least a year behind his peers physically and verbally. His SALT observed some signs of ADHD and/or ASD and we’re waiting for an assessment with the child development centre which has just been booked in for June. Are you being seen by SALT or paediatrician? If not, I would speak to your HV and get a referral now as there can be a long wait and I personally found the SALT to be the most helpful so far. She advised us to apply for an EHCP and we’ve just been approved for an assessment (this helps schools and nurseries receive funding for additional SEN support). I don’t want to overwhelm you but it’s best you get the help your child needs ASAP. We only just got ourselves organised in time for school start (I hope anyway!).

Just to add, some pre verbal children respond very well to sign language (mr tumble!) so that could be worth exploring. Also look into PECS resources for visual aids. We didn’t need these with DS as he was pretty good at communicating by pointing and making specific sounds. These days he can use words and very basic sentences for when he wants things (usually snacks or treats!) so I think the speech delays are more likely linked to ASD and will improve as/if he improves his understanding and willingness to engage. He’s very much his own man and will focus on his own interests (usually cars and or rearranging cupboards, etc).

Thanks SnoopyPants.

We have had an initial assessment with SALT who thinks it is a language delay at moment. I will monitor and see if they think anything else needs put in place or assessed but they said it was too early at the minute as other milestones seem to be in place. I will try Mr Tumble and picture cues though.

Have you any tips or activities that you feel were particularly successful in getting your child to develop language?

Hi, my son is now 4 and things are much better. He still has some trouble with consonant sounds - for example he will say “Ofia” instead of “Sofia”. And he has strange grammar blind spots - “her is annoying me mummy, her is not my best friend any more”.

But he talks confidently now, and narrates everything he does - it fills me with giggly joy to hear him pottering about talking to himself or his toys or just chattering nonsense at me.

We just keep on with singing - I’m a big believer in musical therapy! - my DS is not a book lover sadly so we struggle to get him to focus on books, but whenever we can get him to do so, we engage him in books.

I have taken the approach of always repeating back to me what he says, and sometimes but not often, I’ll ask him to try again to say a word.

Interestingly some of his other skills are well-developed - he can ride a bike, plays with fiddly Lego, good at jigsaws, can draw alright and form some letters. But I’m guessing he may not be an academic high-flier and we might need to work quite hard to get him through his school work.

Thank you so much for your reply @SillyOldMummy very reassuring.

My daughter babbles away to us, herself in a conversational tone and I feel she will talk. It's the point blank refusal to repeat/use the words we model for her (these are functional words too like no/up), she uses actions such as puts up hand to be lifted or shakes head/pulls head back.

Hopefully someday she'll make the breakthrough.