Speech delay in a two year old

[Shells]

My ds (2.4) has no speech at all apart from some symbolic sounds (animal noises etc.). He has had various assessments (apparently no related disorders like ASDs) and is undergoing some speech therapy, but I'm still baffled as to why he seems unable to break this barrier to speech. Does anyone else have experience of this? I would really appreciate anyone else's story.

Just to let you know that I have twins. DT1 (girl) is incredibly articulate. DT2 (boy) is only just saying recognisable words... and not many at that. They are 2.6yrs old.

It may just be that he's biding his time when it comes to speech. My thought and feeling (though you may not agree) is to hang back and wait a while. It will probably come. DT2 has only started using words in the last couple of months and my friend's DS who is the same age also barely speaks.

Thats really heartening. Does your son understand what you are saying to him, even if he can't reply? So, does he pick up his shoes if you tell him to?

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I have whittered for England on this subject.Just do a search on my name for the last 7-8 months for our story.(It has a very positive ending)

He understands me and if he can be bothered he'll do as I ask. Like the others he has selective deafness. In other words...... "oh here she goes again, I'll just watch CBeebies and hope she goes away" lol

Thanks sugarfree - I'll do some searching. My son understands almost nothing as well, did you have to pay for SALT essbee or was it NHS?

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Hi Shells

My DS (aged 10) didn't say a word until he was 3. I had done the rounds of speech therapy, child psychologists, hearing tests etc - none of which reached any conclusion. Then suddenly at the age of 3 he started to speak and hasn't stopped since.

The turning point was a marble maze, the sort that you build up and let the marbles fall to the bottom. My S loved this. I encouraged him to ask for the marbles to put into the maze, and this seemed to be the trigger for the start of his speech.

I promised myself when he was little that when he did start to talk I would never tell him to "shut up". Sometimes when it's 4 in the morning and he's woken me to discuss something I've been tempted!! My advice is not to get too worried or upset (I got both and it didn't help). Children do everything in their own time, and it will happen. Best Wishes..

Thanks all, its good to hear these stories. We can't help but worry, especially when he's with his peers who chat away. But our SALT is good and I'm hoping that he will turn a corner at some stage.

Hiya,
My ds2 is in the same boat. He's 2.4 and says nothing. He makes the odd sounds, occasionly babbles & understands only what we wants to lol. We went to speech therapy once & was told that he'll do it in his own sweet time. He's far too independent to ask for things, would much rather get on & do it himself. What has helped is putting stuff out of reach for him to get. I:e: if he wants his drink, he has to communicate some how either by a noise, finger point or gesture etc. This has made him alot more outgoing.
Each child is different. My ds1 spoke in broken sentences by the age of 2.
Good luck x

hi, i worry about this sort of thing too as my son was born with a cleft palate and we have been told his speech may be delayed! he also may have hearing difficulties but like everyone else says...try not to worry!
i do and it doesn't help...my lil boy has just started to make sounds and noises and does the whole gestures and pointing thing. although a lil younger than yours i still worry!
all kids develop in thier own good time!