2 year old son not even babbling let alone talking.

[Seacat41]

Hi there,
Looking for people in a similar situation…
I have a 2 year old son (turned 2 on the 23/12/21) who has a severe speech and language delay. He’s not even babbling yet. He occasionally makes a “ga” sound, he mostly screeches or says “uh” when he gestures towards things he wants you to look at. His hearing has been checked and it’s fine. He’s a bright, very happy, affectionate, playful little man who lights up the room. He has a great sense of humour, it’s so easy to make him laugh. I really don’t think he’s autistic, the occupational therapist, neurologist, health visitor and SLT I’ve seen with him don’t think so either. He also doesn’t nod yes or shake his head no. Although he points and gestures towards things he wants to draw your attention to. He was a late “waver” but now he always waves goodbye and will blow kisses. I do “sing and sign” with him but the only sign he understands and will repeat is “hot”. He won’t mimic any sounds at all, no animal noises, nothing. He also doesn’t blow raspberries or trill his lips - my daughter was always blowing raspberries! He had his 2 year health check with the health visitor today. She agreed that everything seems on track and “normal” apart from the speech issue. She had never seen a similar case before, very surprised and intrigued that he has yet to say a single word, or even attempt to talk. I’m on a waiting list for speech and language therapy but It may well be several months before we get seen. We have a private appointment with a paediatrician booked in for May.
We have a 5 and a half year old daughter whose development has been very typical, although she was actually a very early talker.
i’m very preoccupied with this. My mind is constantly swirling with possibilities and Google is a nightmare. Please, someone come at me with a reassuring story?
Thank you.

@Seacat41 Ds1 was exactly like this. No words at all. No babbling, no attempts at speech. He would do an "UH" grunty sort of sound. His hearing test was fine. I took him to a salt drop in, he didn't make a sound, the woman who saw us was surprised and commented that he really was exceptionally quiet. She saud he had a severe speech delay. She gave me some things to do with him such as gathering 6 or 8 snall objects in a bag, tip them all out abd ask him "where is the key/sock/toy dog" etc. Dies he pick the correct object? Can he follow 2 stage instructions ? "Can you pick up your crisp packet and put it in the bin?"

When talking to him, try not to gesture ",would you like a drink?" Just ask the question, abd if he indicates yes, say "yes please"

My son spoke his first 2 words at 2.5. Within a few weeks it was just pouring out if him. He's 6 now, and his vocabulary is astonishing he's very bright and reading several years ahead of his expected level.

i wondered how your son is getting on now with his speech?
my son is exactly as you describe to. He’s just turned 2.

Hi there,
So, he has started babbling now, “ba ba mum mum bwab bwab bub mub bub” which is encouraging (he’s 32 months now) But no real words yet. I’ve never heard Him make the sounds “Oo”, “Eee” or “oh”. This is what makes me suspect he has a speech sound disorder. He has speech therapy once a week but going to start having it twice a week I think. My main job is to keep my anxiety in check. He is SO happy, so in reality there is nothing wrong with him. But when my mind jumps to possible future scenarios I start to panic. Mindfulness and journaling helps me. ♥️

Hi OP! My brother didn't speak until he was nearly 4, no babbling but he would point and say "uh" if he wanted something. My mum jumped through all the hoops you've been through and there was never anything wrong with him. He had a bit of help from speech and language people as he grew up because he couldn't say his R sounds.

He's a grown up now and still doesn't choose to say a lot... but he has a job that requires him to speak to members of the public and he's so articulate and charming to them, it makes us all laugh because he CAN when he needs to.

He's married, lovely wife, baby on the way and very happy if that helps at all!

Hi there,
it’s so kind of you to reach out with your brother’s experience! That’s so reassuring, thank you. ♥️

One of my sons didn't speak until he was about 3years old. Nothing wrong with his hearing I was told. He was then diagnosed with glue ear and not sure if this is related to it but he had his adenoids removed and he started communicating better. He has years of speech therapy as well. All ok now but he speaks really fast sometimes as he has a slight tongue tie. All the best

One of my friends had a sister who didn't talk. Her parents took her to the doctor, brought her big sister too as they didn't have someone to look after her. The doctor thought it was quite apparent why she didn't speak - her sister did enough talking for both of them - literally. She used to make sure her sister got what she needed by talking for her so there was no need her to speak. She did end up talking once she was older perfectly normally. Hopefully your son will be okay :)

@Seacat41 Hello! How is your little one getting on now? My son is similar!

@Pod482 Hello! How is your little getting on now? My son is also similar.

Hi, i just read this and i can see you wrote this in 2021! I have a 2yr old now and literally i could have writen this word for word! My son also gestures "hot" and only says "ah" and he wont mimic me at all. Hes everything u said your son is. I was wondering how the development has gone now that your son is probably 5yr.
Hopefully you see this.

Hi!
I’m not sure if this will find you but I figured it’s worth a shot. I’m wondering how you made out. My daughter is 20 months and very similar to the situation you described. She says “ma” without intention and sometimes says ma ma ma ma when trying to talk but it’s the only sound she can make. It’s very strange. I’m correcting her all the time, labeling everything, she’s been in speech for a few months and it hasn’t made a difference. She does not try to make any other sounds.

Hello folks. So, my son is now 5 and remains non verbal. He has been diagnosed with ASD and learning disability. He is a very happy little chap who enjoys his life and goes to a wonderful school for children with special needs where he is thriving, learning and making friends. We actually just got back from a pantomime. He loves live performances. If I could go back in time a couple of years and speak to myself when I wrote this original post, I would hold compassion for the worry and anxiety I felt and I would reassure myself that even though the parenting journey with my son looks different to how I thought it would look, life is so rich once you embrace the journey you’re on and stop longing for what you don’t have. ♥️

Hi there, my son is currently 2.5yr old and exactly the same as your son, no sounds at all.
pls can you update on ur son, and what helped? Thanks so much

Hi @Seacat41. I read your posts about your son. Hope you both are doing well. May I ask if your son ever cooed when he was a baby? Or did he gaze into your eyes when bottle feeding?
Thank you.