22 month old not talking

[Harvey3]

My 22 month old boy only has a handful of words. He knows about 20 different animal noises too but apparently they don't count as words?

I'm getting quite concerned to be honest. I know he is behind with his speaking but he hit all his other milestones so far around average age. He also has terrible tantrums - throwing himself at the floor, banging his head on purpose, trying to hurt himself. This could be in response to nothing at all, just if he's feeling sensitive. It's awful to watch.

Just wondered if anyone had any advice? Is it really just a stage or should I be taking him to the doctor? Thanks in advance.

Animal sounds do count as words. Also word approximations count ie ma for milk or buh for book as long as they are used consistently and meaningfully. Possibly he is having the tantrums because he is getting frustrated about not being able to communicate his needs. Teaching a few basic signs may help. You could always speak to your health visitor for reassurance.

DS was the same at that age, but 6 months later he's a right chatterbox!

Thanks both, that's reassuring. Will speak to the health visitor too

My ds was similar. I asked for a referral from the gp for a speech therapist and they did it with no issues. They won’t see him until he turns 2 but you’ll be on the waiting list. It may just happen as it did for a pp, but our ds really benefitted from the additional help. Does he communicate with you and others in his own way? My ds barely said anything but his key person and others in his room at nursery understood what he meant exactly so it was never an issue as such.

Mine is 26 months old and has only recently started to say a few words. We took him to speech therapy class and they have given us some homework to do with him but also told us not to worry so far.