Speech delay

[findingsomeone]

DD is 21 months, and she is flagging red on the HV speech and language surveys. I've raised concerns for some months and the activities we are being given are not helpful because her understanding is really good, it's the actual speech that is a problem.

She is really good at pointing and gesturing, but really struggles to say anything that anyone can understand. She says 'doh' for dog and duck, for example. And 'bah' for ball. She doesn't say anything else that I can understand.

I feel we have been really let down by the NHS in general with her being born three months into the pandemic. I feel that waiting around for NHS services to trundle along will be a disservice to her. She will start school at barely 4 years old, and I don't feel like that gives me masses of time to get her the right help.

Has anyone had a similar experience with their child? Does anyone have any suggestions of who I could speak to or what I could be doing? No one has looked at her ears at any point. I've asked the HV about glue ear but as usual they never reply

[EcoCustard]

Dc3 & Dc4 had similar speech at around 2 years old. One prior to the pandemic and one last year. They had good understanding, pointing, but struggled to speak so that I or others could understand. Dc3 was never flagged by the HV, nursery or preschool were not concerned either. Dc4 never saw a Hv and nursery felt it was normal considering the difficulty In socialising and interacting. I read lots to them, pointed to the pictures and said the object/animal name, asked if they could make that sound. I would consistently say the names of objects to them, and ask them to say it eg is that your toy car? Can you say car? Rhyme time helps if you can get to me at a childrens centre, as does singing nursery rhymes. Dc3 is in reception now and all ok, she was referred by her teacher for speech therapy for her annunciation but therapist said all good for her age at the moment. Dc4 is nearly 3 and now talks in short sentences but is sometimes a little unclear and I need a few attempts to understand what he meanI

[Jaffacake007]

I could have written this post! My DD has just turned 22 months and she is exactly the same. I know that she understands sooo much, but the words are just not there. She says 'mum' and 'dada' and a couple of other sounds which are like 'ha' (hat) and 'gO' (gone).

My HV is supportive and they have referred her to speech and language but have warned me that it takes months. I know you shouldn't compare but I'm getting worried

[stormy11]

Sorry no advice, I feel I am in the same position. My DD is 26 months old and barely says any recognisable words. I rang the HV and they told me to wait until the 2 year check. She understands loads but doesn't uses her words - has said a lot but then doesn't say them again. I am getting worried.

[Duracellbunnywannabe]

You need to ask the GP to refer her for a hearing test and contact salt(speech and language therapy), in most areas you can contact them yourself.

[autienotnaughty]

My ds barely spoke when he was referred to salt at 2 , also lots of pointing. He was under salt for 4 years, also had a hearing test which was negative. Try to keep your language basic like one or two words when communicating and even if dc doesn't say it you name it. So if dc points to cup say "cup".etc. Also loads of reading books, picture cards are great - we did posting activities where we say what's on the card then post it in a homemade letter box. Ds really enjoyed it. It can be a slow progress but dc is 6 now and has full language he's also way above average for reading and spelling.

[ToDuk]

I always bang the same drum on these threads but please go to your GP and get a referral for a hearing test at the hospital. Don't be fobbed off with any kind of rudimentary hearing test in the surgery.

I'm a Teacher of the Deaf and have seen many children have language issues because of late diagnosed hearing loss.

[LunaAndHerMoonDragons]

@Duracellbunnywannabe

You need to ask the GP to refer her for a hearing test and contact salt(speech and language therapy), in most areas you can contact them yourself.

Do this. While you're waiting for DC to be seen I'd do some recasting with them, it's an early intervention strategy for speech delays that can be used at home. Heaps of information when you google. At this age once things like glue ear and hearing problems are ruled out you may well be told to try recasting for a while anyway. We were for then 3 year old. All been through speech therapy, it's very intensive, think 40 minutes siting there getting the child to make a specific sound, where tongue and lips have to be in the right place, in the right shape, over and over. We didn't do any regular intervention till they were past 4, even then it was a struggle to get 20 minutes of good attention from the DC, then there's a lot of practice too that goes with that. It's a long slow process.

[ChoiceMummy]

@findingsomeone

DD is 21 months, and she is flagging red on the HV speech and language surveys. I've raised concerns for some months and the activities we are being given are not helpful because her understanding is really good, it's the actual speech that is a problem.

She is really good at pointing and gesturing, but really struggles to say anything that anyone can understand. She says 'doh' for dog and duck, for example. And 'bah' for ball. She doesn't say anything else that I can understand.

I feel we have been really let down by the NHS in general with her being born three months into the pandemic. I feel that waiting around for NHS services to trundle along will be a disservice to her. She will start school at barely 4 years old, and I don't feel like that gives me masses of time to get her the right help.

Has anyone had a similar experience with their child? Does anyone have any suggestions of who I could speak to or what I could be doing? No one has looked at her ears at any point. I've asked the HV about glue ear but as usual they never reply

Request an audiology appointment via gp. Most areas allow self referral to a speech therapist.
My lo was referred at your child's age. And a late summer baby, so started school days after turning 4.
I don't think that you really are in any genuine different scenario now re nhs to before covid, there has always been delays and waiting times.
In my experience you have to be the proactive one so get referrals sorted. I also had to navigate hearing issues which took 7 years to get a satisfactory resolution. So it can be a long path.
Resources like www.childrensspeechtherapyni.com/pages/index.asp?title=Top_Tips
www.speechworksservices.co.uk/resources/
ican.org.uk/i-cans-talking-point/parents/resources/
ican.org.uk/i-cans-talking-point/parents/resources/
chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/list-of-free-speech-language-communication-and-send-resources-for-schools-and-parent-carers

It feels all consuming now, but it will improve!

[stressingmum]

My son 27 months has a few words but I'm not even sure means too say them.

But like the above he clearly understands I raised it with HV when he was only 18 months and they said it's the pandemic wait and see etc.

It didn't sit right with me so I went to the GP when he was 21 months GP referred for hearing which was relatively speedy seen within a month that came back fine. I self-referred to speech and language at 22 months he was seen within 3 months where they agreed he had a delay and would need further interaction but it's a waiting list and haven't heard anything more.

GP also referred to a Paediatrician for an overall assessment to make sure it wasn't anything else and as yet we haven't had that appointment. My DS appears to be understanding more and more and it's important to sit facing them and make sure they are watching your facial movements as much as possible when talking so they can copy.

As too your DD going to be very young when starting school if they are born after April you can delay school by a further year I know people who have done it.

[findingsomeone]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. It's nice not to feel alone. The other babies I know of a simile age all repeat things really clearly and my DD does try but is not very successful.

Interesting how lots of you mention hearing tests. I will log a request with the GP surgery now about that.

I don't know if we can self refer to SALT. HV has said they wont accept a referral until she is 2, so until July she can't refer her

I get cheesed off with people saying oh it's because of the pandemic, because I really don't think it is. She's my first and it's hard having nothing to compare her to. I've always had to chase HV and I had to push for a face to face 12 month check and I'm glad I did because her lack of speech and lack of walking was then followed up on. But you don't know what you don't know, do you? That's where this thread has been helpful. I saw the GP last week and they made me feel a bit shit (they asked if DD is gaining weight and I said she hasn't since Christmas) by saying well you should be using resources available like the HV for this. But I contact them and they don't reply. I didn't know they would weigh or measure children pay 12 months, we've had three appts since then mainly for the speech and it's never been mentioned or asked about 🤷🏽‍♀️

[Cyw2018]

My DD is 4 and under speech and language for what is classed as an 'atypical speech sound disorder' and considered to me something that will not improve without significant intervention.

DD misses the inital consonants off words, even when she is capable of forming the sound in the middle of the word ie "oppy" not poppy. She also struggles to form all the neccessary consonants (although we are making good progress with this).

My understanding is that what you are describing of dropping the final consonant is within normal range and each kid develops at a different rate. 21 months is still very tiny.

[Cyw2018]

With regard to SALT for this sort of disorder, I doubt it would achieve very much with a toddler, even at 4.2 my DD has only just started any intensive SALT (every other week), prior to this it was just appoitnments every few months and activities to do at home, but sometimes we would go weeks without doing much if DD was worn out from pre-school/playgroup or under the weather.

Hearing test is a good idea, but then just lots of rhyming books and singing.

[stressingmum]

@findingsomeone

Thanks for all the replies everyone. It's nice not to feel alone. The other babies I know of a simile age all repeat things really clearly and my DD does try but is not very successful.

Interesting how lots of you mention hearing tests. I will log a request with the GP surgery now about that.

I don't know if we can self refer to SALT. HV has said they wont accept a referral until she is 2, so until July she can't refer her

I get cheesed off with people saying oh it's because of the pandemic, because I really don't think it is. She's my first and it's hard having nothing to compare her to. I've always had to chase HV and I had to push for a face to face 12 month check and I'm glad I did because her lack of speech and lack of walking was then followed up on. But you don't know what you don't know, do you? That's where this thread has been helpful. I saw the GP last week and they made me feel a bit shit (they asked if DD is gaining weight and I said she hasn't since Christmas) by saying well you should be using resources available like the HV for this. But I contact them and they don't reply. I didn't know they would weigh or measure children pay 12 months, we've had three appts since then mainly for the speech and it's never been mentioned or asked about 🤷🏽‍♀️

I wouldn't allow the GP to make you feel bad about the weight thing as they have no idea that HV's aren't seeing kids and haven't been. My DS is 27 months the last time he was weighed was 8 weeks old and they did a 1 year check via a video call and I mentioned weight then and the HV said he looks fine we only weigh children if they are seriously under/over. I don't mean to be negative on HV but they aren't qualified medical professionals and if you have any real concerns about health they would refer you to the GP anyway.
My advice is trust your gut and push for the help you think your daughter needs not what someone else thinks she needs.
In terms of self-referring search your local community paediatric team and they will have a section on speech and language online which should have a referral form.

[Threetulips]

Try waiting for her to speak when she points, get it ‘wrong’ so she has to try and praise her for trying.
If she does get speech therapy then it’s usually months waiting lists then short bursts of sessions over a few weeks then back on the list.

Try looking up speech therapy on the web and see if you can find some programs to do at home. Usually based round play.?

[iamruth]

I’m sorry this is happening, it’s not right but the cuts are cutting deeper and deeper. I can highly recommend the BBC Tiny happy people website in the interim

[elidelochanthefirst]

I don't want to sound negative but in my area it's 4 rubbish sessions then you're back on the waiting list for another 4 months.

I would look at a private SLT to do a few sessions to set you on the right path with how you're playing and interacting with her otherwise you're going to be waiting ages.

(My son is 3.4 and completely non verbal and even we barely get any support)

[Wnikat]

Defo get the hearing test. But speech therapy will mostly be giving you tools to help at this stage, they won’t work with them much directly until much older. Though there are private therapists who might if you can afford it.

[NrlySp]

1. you need hearing tests. For hearing and specifically for glue ear. If she has glue ear insist on grommits. They may try to fob you off but be insistent.
   
2. SALT. The more the better. You may have to go privately.
   

3, in the mean time, read to her a lot. Play games with the words that she struggles within- and demonstrate correct pronunciation. Articulation station is a good app.
However if she has hearing challenges due to glue ear (which can come and go then grommits are needed. Signs can be not hearing, frequent colds and ear infections.
My DS had this. He’s now 17 and totally fine

[Newmummy9]

This sounds very much like my daughter. We started weekly private speech therapy when she turned 3. I don’t think it would have been much use before then as she wouldn’t have had the concentration or understanding. It is making a big difference but I do believe it’s because we practice with her several times a week- the odd session she’s had in the NHS has been useless since it’s so sporadic and not targeted enough to her problems.
When I asked our therapist what I should do if our younger child showed the same symptoms I was told that it’s important to keep going with animal noises, brmmm, beeeep, pop etc. focus on noises rather than actual words at this stage. This is because it’s a problem with pronunciation not the understanding. If you’ve got any questions do send me a message as I’ve been sitting through speech therapy sessions for over a year now
Good luck

[LabradorFiasco]

Hi OP. I also have a 21 month old, although no experience with speech delay. My sister is a SALT though hence I wondered if it would be helpful to post the ICAN Talking Point resources? She is very complimentary about them.

There is a progress checker here: ican.org.uk/i-cans-talking-point/progress-checker-home/

And you can book a free 30 min appt with a SALT, kind of as a starter for ten: ican.org.uk/i-can-s-enquiry-service/

I echo PP who recommend pushing for a hearing test (maybe via GP rather than HV? Mine are useless too - still waiting for ophthalmology referral 12 months later…) and look into private a SALT if you can afford it. In the meantime, we know that singing plays a big role in language acquisition and speech development so any singing you can do (braving rhyme time at the library but also 20 mins a day just at home perhaps) will be useful. I’m sure you know all that though!

Early intervention is super important and it’s fantastic that you’re on the ball and obviously care so much for your DD. Wishing you the best of luck in getting the help you need and deserve.

[Yellowpolkadotmumma]

My son has a speech delay and I have found it so difficult to find the relevant information I needed in order to help him, it took me a long time to understand what we could do at home to help support his speech development. To help others I have been creating a mobile app called Pippin to help parents of speech delayed children access information about how they can help speech development at home and track their child's speech progress. I am working with a few different specialists to create the content, the app is still in development but if you would like to know when it launches then please signup on my website: pippinspeech.com/

[worriedmumma21]

I am wondering how your child is going now? Sounds very similar to my DD 🙃

[Geneticsbunny]

Others have given good advice and I would also agree that it is impossible to access NHS speech therapy until age 2, even if your child has a genetic disorders where they will definitely have speech issues!

We did a course of video therepy with a private salt where they basically video you playing with your child and then you watch it back and they teach you how to add in speech therapy techniques while you are playing. After 6 weeks we were doing speech therapy all the time without even thinking about it.

I don't think anyone else has suggested makaton yet? It is brilliant and really helped my son. You can learn basic signs from Mr tumble and it helps reinforce the words by making them multisensory. It also gives your daughter a way to communicate if it is hard for her to produce words herself and so lowers any frustration. We started with yes, no, more, finished and a few favourite animal and food signs and built up from there.

[worriedmumma21]

@findingsomeone Just wondering how your little one is going now? My DD sounds similar and I'd love to hear how your little one is going?

[worriedmumma21]

@Jaffacake007 I was wondering how your little one is going now? My DD sounds so similar and I'd love to hear how things are going :)