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Original poster

2 year old speech

22 replies

Warsawa31 · 29/04/2021 17:21

Hi all

Just wanted to hear stories about how much your toddlers spoke at age 2?

Our DD turned 2 this week - she says mama dada - and her own variations of "what's this" and "shoes" sometimes juice.few other one word things sometimes.

Her speech is very sporadic though she doesn't say much throughout the day but makes a lot of noises.

She was walking by 12 months and her motor skills are excellent.

I'm desperately trying not to worry but on the other side of the coin I don't want to delay asking for help if she needs it? She was in NICU due to a fit at birth and part of me is scared it had an impact on the speech centre of her brain.

Thanks in advance x

OP posts:
OverTheRainbow88 · 29/04/2021 17:22

Eldest said about 3 words at 2.

Youngest says loads

No idea what made the difference

I wouldn’t worry too much by next week they could be chatting away

Elmo311 · 29/04/2021 17:32

Hi OP,

I know how worrying this can be, and I don't think there's any harm in organising a speech and language referral for her to see someone.

My DD turned 2 at the beginning of April. She was a late ish Walker compared to others (17.5 months) and she is seeing a speech and language therapist...although it's not done much this year!

She has about 33 words, but she's very quiet the rest of the time. I'm still worried about her!

But it's only because I compare her to others, including my son, who at her age was talking in sentences.

They are all different.

No harm in getting her assessed.

Original poster
Warsawa31 · 29/04/2021 17:49

Thanks Elmo - did you speak to your GP in the first instance ?

OP posts:

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2 year olds Behaviour & development Families General parenting
MeadowHay · 29/04/2021 17:52

Has she had her two year check with the HV? This is usually done within a few months of them turning 2, think mine was about 26/27 months when she had hers. If not, I'd wait until then, the HV can advise you further. In our area I don't think HV or GP do speech therapy referrals until age 3.

Original poster
Warsawa31 · 29/04/2021 17:53

Not hear from HV since she was a month old or whatever it was to be honest - I'll dig out the info though as there may be something on there - thank you

OP posts:
PinkCookie11 · 29/04/2021 17:55

My LO had his 2 year check at 2.4, HV has been amazing and put a referral in for his speech.

2 year checks differ depending which area your in.
It’s worth a call to them and explain your worries.

YellowGlasses · 29/04/2021 17:55

What’s her communication like? Does she understand when you talk to her? That’s much more important at this age than saying lots of words.

Hufflepuffsunite · 29/04/2021 17:59

My now 4yo (who never shuts up), hardly spoke at 2. We did get referred to SALT but by the time we finally got the initial appt through, he'd improved loads. They said he was within normal range but they arranged to see him again about 3 months later, by which time he was talking loads! I think we are about to follow the same process with my youngest as nursery have flagged his speech as not being where it should be, so I'm hoping he follows the same pattern and is fine.

Original poster
Warsawa31 · 29/04/2021 18:00

Her communication is ok to be fair - she knows her name and can put her nappies in the bin if we say "bin" pis her arms up (if she wants to) when we say up take her top off things like that - I've got no worries in regards to her hearing at least.

OP posts:
KatherineOfGaunt · 29/04/2021 18:04

My son is nearly 2 1/2 and days only two actual words, some other words that we know what they mean and lots of babble/noises. Very little proper talking. I'm not worried yet.

Elmo311 · 29/04/2021 18:04

@Warsawa31 We did go through our GP. But my daughter had failure to thrive, bottle aversion and a feeding tube from 5 months old so she's always been on their radar! And I'm very observant. Probably to my detriment.

It's a good sign if your daughter understands everything you're saying to her and can follow instructions.

We had a speech and language referral at 17 months, but if I'm honest it hasn't made much difference as I think they don't really take you seriously until they're 2.5/3.

Chickenlickeninthepot · 29/04/2021 18:08

Less than 10 words & sounds at 2, I pushed HV for referral, by the time it came through 6 months later he'd come on hugely with his language. Waiting lists are pretty lengthy so I'd get on it as soon as you can.

nettytree · 29/04/2021 18:11

I got my sons referral after ringing the health visitors office. He was 18months. Never made any sounds

RolloTomassi · 29/04/2021 18:21

Mine didn't have good speech at all at 2, very "baby-like". I asked the HV to refer to the local SALT (but I think you can self-refer in some areas?) who said he was basically fine, but to keep an eye. He did noticeably improve a lot closer to 3! I'm sure yours will get there!

Have you downloaded the ASQ questionnaire for your son's age? That will show you the basic competencies they look for at this stage.

YourCakesAreShit · 29/04/2021 19:39

DD turned 2 at the beginning of March. At that point, she said 'Ess' and not much else. Now she seems to have new words every day - today's were 'happy' and 'sad'. She's putting words together, like 'Daddy gone', and she tries new words out all the time.

Try not to worry!

niclw · 29/04/2021 19:44

My DS wasn't saying anything other than mama at 2 yrs old. He is now 2 years and 7 months and says quite a lot. Today's new sentences were "I eat Mummy's hair" and "I help baby crying". The health visitors where I live won't refer to speech and language until 3 years, however the key worker at nursery is very concerned about his speech (I'm not as he is improving daily) so she is try to get a speech therapist to assess him. His nursery is over the county border so it might happen but if it doesn't I won't be worried. There are many children who don't speak until the age of 3 or older so I wouldn't worry too much just yet

MummyE87 · 29/04/2021 19:57

My son says about 7 words...some clear others not. We currently have our own little language he's 20 months, I saw a health visitor last week as we have moved areas and she said it is absolutely normal. Apparently all the different sounds he makes are what will eventually turn into words. I wouldn't worry too much, but that's just my opinion.

Brieminewine · 29/04/2021 20:03

DD will be 2 in June, she never shuts up, talks in three word sentences eg where doggy gone, mommy drink now etc.

Calmestofallthechickens · 29/04/2021 20:08

I got the SALT details from the health visitor and contacted them about my son when he was 2 (he only said about 9 words).

The speech therapist who we talk to said that it is definitely worth getting the ball rolling earlier rather than later - in my area there is a specialist nursery that they can place them in for a term, but it has to be the term during which they turn 3, and the waiting lists are long.

She also was able to rule out any issues with hearing/understanding etc and gave us techniques at home to prompt speech so I think it was worth doing.

My son is now 2 years 9 months and he’s talking loads so he probably won’t need any of the interventions but it would be there if we needed it.

Theforest · 29/04/2021 21:55

I think you have to go with your gut feeling.

People told me my DS was fine but he needed help with his speech. Only DH and I understood him. I got nursery to refer him and he had speech therapy for 2.5 years from age of 3. He worked so hard and found not being understood so frustrating and he got there. You wouldn't know now.

Get her referred if you think she needs it. You won't regret it. If there is no issue, then the experts will know.

ritcha · 21/11/2023 17:15

Warsawa31 · 29/04/2021 17:21

Hi all

Just wanted to hear stories about how much your toddlers spoke at age 2?

Our DD turned 2 this week - she says mama dada - and her own variations of "what's this" and "shoes" sometimes juice.few other one word things sometimes.

Her speech is very sporadic though she doesn't say much throughout the day but makes a lot of noises.

She was walking by 12 months and her motor skills are excellent.

I'm desperately trying not to worry but on the other side of the coin I don't want to delay asking for help if she needs it? She was in NICU due to a fit at birth and part of me is scared it had an impact on the speech centre of her brain.

Thanks in advance x

How is your baby now?
sounds alot like mine.

Firstimemum24 · 22/01/2025 19:14

MummyE87 · 29/04/2021 19:57

My son says about 7 words...some clear others not. We currently have our own little language he's 20 months, I saw a health visitor last week as we have moved areas and she said it is absolutely normal. Apparently all the different sounds he makes are what will eventually turn into words. I wouldn't worry too much, but that's just my opinion.

Hi any updates on your little one ? ☺️

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