Toddler not talking

Savvy_Sue

I think the main thing is to make sure the HV is aware of your concerns, and let her get on with running the range of checks which would rule out the 'obvious' problems. More contact with children may help, because at the moment he mostly sees adults talking. So he may think it's something adults do, but why would he need to?

I do agree too that what your dear heart prefers (little bear being with his mum) may not be what is best for either little bear or his mum. Since little bear was fine with his cousin, I hope your DH would be able to accept that some more time with other children would be helpful. Initially this might be with you, but over time without you might be better, simply because as long as YOU are there, little bear doesn't NEED to talk.

BTW, I also had a 'late' talker, who understood very well what was said to him. When he DID start speaking, it was in sentences, none of this baby talk nonsense. I think he understood 'proper' talking, but didn't know how to do it himself, so waited until he had it all worked out. It was quite a shock when he started! :rotfl:

FrenchMaid_2

Is there a SureStart center or similar where you live? Where I live the council offers a "Free for Two" scheme which is free playgroups fro 2year olds where they stay without their parents. My daughter is starting it this month, it's only 1 1/2 hours per week but it's a great way to get them to socialise! Have you found FamilyServices at your council, they have loads of info about stuff like this. I don't know what health problems you are having but some councils offer schemes for people who suffer from mental health problems. E.g. where my sil lives the council contributes to nursery care and a friend of hers has her child in nursery 2 morning a week and only pays £8 per week.

I don't think the speech is anything to worry about and like so many things it will improve more and quicker the less you stress about it. You made a start with toddler groups, which is great and I would build on that. Last year I was in exactly the same boat and it was a bit daunting but now I go out with my daughter every day at least once, it was hard work to get there but I did and she is a different child. Even a short walk around the block without the buggy pointing things out etc, counting cars, counting doors will do wonders... Chin up, dear and don't worry about it...

fedupnow

Hi

All kids are different and all progress at their own pace. The check is just to make sure he is progressing in the right direction. The health visitor will have seen LOTS of 2 year olds all with different personalities, talents and capabilities. Many don't bother to chat at 2, but I'm sure he'll make up for it later.

He sounds like a bright, intelligent lad and you are very, very lucky. I think you sound like a wonderful Mum too, so he is very lucky. You clearly love him dearly and spend lots of time talking, playing, colouring, dancing.... There is no greater gift you can give to a child than your time and love. I don't think you are 'letting him down' by not taking him to playgroups or nurseries. I really don't hink that it's necessary for him to mix with his peers to thrive... he's TWO!!! Years ago there was no such thing as nurseries and playgroups ets and Mum's would stay home and care for the kids until they went to school - no harm done... in fact some would argue they were a lot better off.

Also, I know a family where the child received speech therapy (older than yours) and the therapist visited them at home and advised the Mum how to encourage/stimulate correct pronunciation etc. So, even if the worst comes to the worst, you may not have to take him anywhere.

Enjoy him, he sounds delightful. And remember, the health visitor is coming to see him - not judge your parenting skills.

cloud9

When I spoke to hv about speech she said the thing they worried about was understanding and not the actual speech .
RE getting out homestart are differnt.They can support you getting to groupds.You get a voluteer who works with you so its not a trail of different people.
If you need a nursery place.you hv can apply for funding for nursery placement.You should also ask your hv about a caf which looks at yours and Lo's needs and may be able to help.
With the going out .I was a severe agraphobic and couldn't even mamage to get the rubbish in the bin at times .when i got pregnant i knew i needed to do something so forced myslef to push myself to do more and more as i knew i needed to do it for my son...Distracting myself withchatting to my son really works..i go to a couple of groups and get out everyday as it is easier than not going out for a few days..i find the groups where you have something to do much easier than coffe morning type groups

Dumyat

it sounds like he has the understanding, and his needs are being met with out having to verbalise what he wants.
I'm sure when he finds his voice he will be talking in sentences like my cousin did. She was over 3 before she said a word.
I would keep with the playgroup, copying peers is one way of learning. He may just not realise what is expected of him. Singing songs etc at playgroup will help him.

Becles

He sounds like my youngest son. He did physical things way too early - walked at 9 months old and was climbing out of the cot by 10 months so he had to go in a bed. He was riding a bike with no stabilisers on by 3 years old and so on.

However, he hardly spoke a word until he was about 3 years old, and then one day he got up and just started speaking in sentences. He obviously had a good knowledge of English and I realised he knew lots of words when he did speak, but I've still no idea why he took so long to speak.

wannabe_sybil

Thank you for all you help and suggestions. I shall give all of them a lot of thought.

Of course dear heart is supportive, and would do anything he could for little bear. He managed to slice both hands due to separate accidents with a new carving knife.

I really appreciate all the replies. I shall see what the Health Visitor advises about a nursery.

Thank you again.

seven-day-weekend

My son talked in sentences at a year. However, he didn't walk until he was fourteen months and wasn't toilet trained until well past three.

They all develop different things at different rates and as long as he is understanding things I wouldn't worry, but maybe it might help if he socialised with others a bit more.

Could some children (and their moms/dads) come to your house every so often if you find it difficult to get out?

scrimpingbadger

My sons has a speech delay and I actually found that because I spoke his language an understood what he was trying to say, it didn't help him at all. Since he started nursery and HAD to make an effort with the staff there and was much less lazy about it. He's come on in leaps and bounds, and in conjunction with the speech and language therapy (we pay for - NHS provision around here is rubbish) he is now speaking at a 2 year old level (he's 4) .
My advice to use is to get him a childminder half a day a week, give yourself a break, and give him the chance to communicate with others. If you sell it to your OH like that, he may agree.

longforthesun

Just wanted to share my story with you. My son also did not seem to show any signs of wanting to talk when he was 2. To be honest he never even babbled as a baby. I spoke to our HV who put me in touch with a speach therapist when DS was 2 and a half. I have attended a course called Hannen (think thats the spelling) this is an Canadian concept that teaches you how to communicate with your child in ways other than speach. For example I thought that comminication was talking until i did this course I soon realised that my son was communicating with me by actions and facial expressions. My Son has been ver fortunate and we have had lots of support from our local hospital in finding out if there are any underlying reasons for his lack of speach ie autisim, hearing problems and all is fine he is just being him. I am happy to say that he is now 4 and talking in great.

I suppose what I am trying to say is lots of folk will tell you its common (and it is) and that it will come in time (and it will) but by learning how your child is communicating with you in others ways is a very handy tool to have and you can build on this. My DS nursery teacher has told me that my DS has a far greater skill than most of his friends at nursery because he can read facial expressions very well.

I could waffle on for ages about different games to play with your child that I learnt at hannen but wont as I have said lots already but let me know if you want to know some.