2 year old shoes no understanding of words

[Mumlookingforadvice]

Hi
im wondering if anyone has experienced similar or knows any support we can access.

my 2 year old doesn’t have any words yet ( I’m not overly concerned by this ) what I’m concerned about is he shows no understanding of words . If I was to say park or choc choc or his name he won’t react in anyway yet if I show him an object like his coat he’s excited to go out or a bar of choclate he’s excited to eat it .

He has had extensive hearing tests and we have been told he can hear enough to develop his speech . We have been supported by a speech and language team who have now passed us onto a specialist but there is a 4 month wait for this appt .

looking for any advice from anyone in a similar position .

He’s a lovely and happy little boy who plays just as you would expect, loves a cuddle and walked / motor skills all clicked in early on .

Have been through similar (ish). You possibly already do this but what helped here - when talking to him use single words, instead of go and get your shoes just 'shoes' and show him hus shoes so he makes the connection. Try to do this with a small number of things related to your daily routine and be consistent.

Tap into his interests, what does he enjoy playing with. Things like bubbles, say ready steady go or similar and try to leave a pause for him to indicate to you he would like more.

Thanks 😊 that’s what we was advised to do by the speech and language team.
did this eventually work for you ?

Have you heard of makaton signing? It’s a simple form of sign language to support speech development. That might be useful. The idea is that you sign and say the word at the same time and then if their speech is delayed, they’re less frustrated because they can sign instead. Gradually the signing stops as they speak more and understanding develops.

I'd agree that Makaton might be useful here. It's becoming mainstream in nurseries now. My daughter picked it up there.

They seem to also use signs for learning phonics sounds now that DD has started school as well.

Does he react to singing- like if you sang happy and you know it clap your hands, would he clap?

Have you seen a paediatrician ?
My son has special needs and had no speech until at least 5 but his understanding was always great . I used Makaton and when I used works I used them in context .
Also look up pecs boards , I think they would help you .

I would ask for a referral though to see a developmental paediatrician as early intervention is key to a better outcome .

hi ,
no he doesn’t respond / copy . He has occasionally touched his head when we do head shoulders but he doesn’t clap / waive or repeat actions

we have just been on the speech and Language pathway rather than development in general .

would the referral for development be via my gp?

Sorry I replied further down to you on the wrong comment .. he doesn’t copy actions like clapping or waiving

I would speak to your GP and HV OP

Yes to referral via gp , I imagine there is quite a wait though . Are you in a position to go private ?

Sorry only just noticed this reply.

Yes it did but his understanding is still way behind where it should be. He does understand more now but I would love to see this improving more. He has started using words now to communicate which we are thrilled about as my big worry was that i would never hear my little boy speak. He is under child development clinic and I am expecting that he will be given an ASD diagnosis.