Speech for a 2.5yr old

[Poppy1989]

Iv contacted my health visitor and also a private place regarding this issue. But would just like to ask if anyone else has been through this?

I feel my 2.5 yr old son still isn't talking as much as he should. He ever wants to copy what I say and doesn't even attempt to repeat words when I sound them out. His hearing is fine and everything else but I can't seem to get him to talk or communicate how I see other children doing at his age and also younger. It's extremely upsetting for me and him, as he gets frustrated.
I have no idea how to help him talk or learn.

My son is the same. He will be 3 in April and does not attempt a single word. He also gets really upset because I dont always know what he wants. We contacted the health visitor and still waiting for a call from the Speech therapist. His pre-school teacher said he isn't too worried, but I definitely am. I am sorry, I don't have advise for you but you aren't alone xx

Thank you for to reply! My health visitor hasn't been good at all and it leaves me feel very sad and concerned.
I have tried so much to help, making my own flash cards, drawing pictures and getting him to try and say the word ect. Iv also spent sooo much money on books to help him, games, posters, but nothing is working!
I have friends with children younger than him, who talk so well. They have full conversations together. And honestly after so long of people saying "he's fine" even they seem concerned now too!
I wish there was help out there!

How's his understanding? Does he know What you mean when you talk to him? DS was like this at 2.5 but he's nearly 6 now and never bloody shuts up!

He understands everything! And is clever in other ways. But if i say
"Say apple" he will just make a silly noise and then ignore me. He doesn't even attempt it. If I try and get him to say it again he gets angry and walks away. It's so upsetting for me as I haven't got anywhere in months with this now.

Has your health visitor done a referral to SALT? That’s what you really need to push for.

Do you / he do any sign language?
My toddler is only 18 months so her relative lack of speech isn’t too concerning but she loves sign language and helps with the short term frustration.

I just wanted to offer some reassurance, it is more concerning if the understanding is either very limited or not there atall. I use to be a senco, and I have tried every trick in the trade to help my son. He is 2.7 years and language is now slowly emerging, but his understanding is fantastic. At the moment, with everything that is going on, try not to beat yourself up about it. My son will be attending pre school come September, if I don't see noticeable development of language then I will have him referred to salt. Currently, he will get nothing from sitting face to face with someone in a mask nor over zoom.
I narrate when I am doing things and I plan a ten min activity daily, where there are no distractions. Yesterday we had filling and emptying pots with rice and he copied many single words, today we are baking so again lots of opportunities for role modeling speech.
My top tips which have helped us, consistency with other care givers, always giving him two choices e.g would you like your boots or shoes on today, and keeping your language simple, offering single words and waiting at least ten seconds for a response.
Sorry if that sounds patronizing, I totally understand how upsetting it is.

Op I just wanted to say 'don't panic.' Continue to push for an assessment (you can also look up speech therapists in your area and get a private assessment), however there is every possibility that your DS is just a little later to develop speech. Both my boys were hardly talking at 2.5. I wasn't worried, but Nursery started asking questions and I freaked out and got a private assessment. Her opinion was that he understood everything, followed instructions perfectly etc, so she advised to leave it for 3 months and reassess. Well, after 2 months his speech exploded and nursery quickly said how well he could talk! When my second DS showed a similar delay, I wasn't worried, Nursery didn't comment this time and sure enough, just before 3 his speech exploded.

I would say that they can pick up on your anxiety and the therapist said the worst thing to do is ask them to repeat words. It puts pressure on them at a point when their mouth and brain just haven't connected yet, to say the words. They could then feel self conscious and not even attempt the word. Playing word games, pointing out objects, singing along to songs etc is great and if he even attempts a word (even just a sound) say 'that's right, it's a red bus.' Just lots of repetition of words and holding a 'conversation' where you can, acknowledging that you know what he means and his efforts are understood.

It's good that the understanding is there. That makes it much less of a concern. One of the things I did that was bad without even realising was speaking to him like a tiny tot e.g. DS shoes. Children need to hear good models so make sure you speak in full sentences e.g. DS go get your shoes because we're going to the shop now.

Not understanding is more worrying because speech is the last thing to come after all the roots are embedded if that makes sense.

What is helpful is to help with sounds rather than words or linking words & sounds to actions/images eg makaton cards.

Lots of rhyming, repetition & songs.

My eldest struggled up to age 5 & was slower with phonics but by 6 no different compared to peers & probably ahead for reading.

I'm a paediatrician and also had a child with severe language delay. My advice would be :

1. Get a salt referral. In my area there is an 18 month waiting list for therapy. Get on that list. If you don't need it later, no harm done.
2. Get an audiology assessment. Often isn't hearing but can be an easy fix if it is.
3. As pp said narrating is a good idea. Also offer choice to him (your green t shirt or your blue t shirt) he may point, rather than speak but it starts to and fro communication. Also repeat back what he says adding more detail (he says "apple" you say "yes, a green apple") etc
4. Communication cards can help the frustration. You can start with basic ones like pictures of his drink or a snack that he can bring to you when he wants them.

Don't panic though, lots of kids have a bit of a delay to their speech and then catch up, especially boys. If his understanding is good, that is fairly reassuring.

Good luck, it is a tough stage because of the frustration!

Have you had a hearing test? Even if you think it's fine you're best to check. I say this from experience as I thought my sons hearing was fine (he could hear peppa pig theme tune from the next room) but he had a low frequency hearing loss and needed grommets.
Then, don't ask him to repeat after you. Salt advice to us was to model, don't put pressure on to talk e.g. Instead of saying "say apple" you hold up the apple and say "apple" "the apple is green" "yummy apple" etc and give him maximum opportunity to hear the word said correctly. Then when you want him to talk you give two clear choices he can copy e. g. "do you want an banana or a Apple? “

Thank you for all your reply's. He had the hearing test and that came back absolutely fine I can ask him to get anything at all in the house and he will get it or point to it. So I know his understanding is great. It's just the communication side of it that's so difficult to know why he doesn't want to repeat words. The health visitor said he should be able to say his full name, say colours, shapes, count to 10, sing a nursery rhyme (even if it's just the tune) but he doesn't do any of the above. She said it's "worrying" that he doesn't use " you or I" ect
I feel going down the private route is the only option. It makes me extremely sad as I have been pushing this for almost a year now when he failed to hit the other milestones. They kept saying, wait another 3 months.... and now saying that its an worrying and he is classed as having a delay! It's so upsetting and I find myself constantly confused on what to do.

Check his hearing first referral to audiology and also get a referral to SALT

Mine had a big explosion of speech at about 2.5yo after having very little prior to that (less than 10 words at 2y check). I've never had any luck with a "say apple" approach. We did lots of reading, lots of narrating our day and as PP have suggested we would build on his words (so he says car, I say a red car" and give choice to encourage him to answer. He generally likes to do things at his own pace, including talking!