Daughter cant talk

weenickieS

Dont know if this is the right place to put this. Sorry, if it is.

Anyway, problem is my daughter will be 3 in April and she cant talk. She can say 'no' perfectly, says 'ma' for mum, and tries her best to say a few other words but that is it.

Health visitor said a few months ago she isnt worried and wont be until she turns 3 and hasnt progressed any more. She then will see a speach therapist at nursery but that wont be until after the summer holidays.

She is not stupid and quite bright. Understands everything i say to her. i ask her to do something and she will do it. She tried to have conversations but its all gobblydegoop. Its like she knows what she is saying in her head but its not coming out that way.

I just wondered if anyone else has had this problem with a child and did it get better? How long did it take etc. Also, if anyone has any tips i can try with my daughter. I just worry so much that its never going to happen and she will never talk.

MrsAnnie

Do you have any other/older children? Sometimes older children 'talk for' younger ones therefore delaying speech. This happened to my DD; it wasn't till it was pointed out to me that I realised her older sister would communicate for her. I had speech therapists workirng with her at my insistance; but they kept telling me there was nothing 'wrong' with her. But as a mum I was worried. She eventually grew out of her baby talk and all is fine.

tiamai_d

DS2 is 4 and because he has hemiplegia (cerebral palsy down one side) he can't talk very well, what speech he has is very slurred and we are currently learning makaton. He didn't see a SALT till he was 3 and I remember how frustrated I was, so you do have my sympathy.

There is little point seeing a SALT until she is 3, as frustrating as that is, it is the truth. Many children just don't talk for no reason then suddenly one day start gabbing away.

Does she go to a nursery at all? DS2 was sent to a nursery at 3 to help his speech and it really brought him on. If she does not go to nursery and you can't send her to one, try and get to as many clubs as possible where there are other children her age or just a little older, so she can see that children talk.

Until then, just use common sence, talk to her as much as you can, slowly, clearly and give her time to reply. Ask her to repeat words, use signs if you like, you can make up your own or watch Mr.Tumble, or look into a signing class. Sing, make noises etc.

mrcow

Do you have the tv on when she's around?

When she's talking gobbledegook, what do you do? Do you listen to her, get her to repeat? Do you try and teach her words?

tigtag02

Have her ears been tested?

tt

sandiep

Has she had a hearing test recently? Do you notice if her understanding and hearing is perhaps linked to her looking at you either straight on, or from a particular side? Could be something like glue ear that comes and goes. This frequently relates to late speaking.

Also.

Francesanne

My cousin who lives in the U.S. has a very similiar problem with her little boy of the same age. He's a very bright and active little boy but very slow in talking.
He's had an awful lot of problems with ear & nose infections.He's undergoing many tests and they're hoping to find out more very soon. He's an only child but he's recently started playschool and they also hope that mixing with other children will help the problem. I hope your little girls problems are soon resolved and I know it's so easy to say but try not to worry too much. All the best.

weenickieS

Thank you for the replies.

She uses a little sign language as she has been watching mr tumble. I was worried this might stop her wanting to learn to talk since we understand her when signing.

Health visitor said they would try get her into nursery as soon as she turns 3 but nursery have told me there might not be a place available so i will just have to wait and see. She is due to start 4 months after her 3rd birthday.

She has an older sister who is 5. I always thought she would learn quicker because of this but its not worked out that way. Her sister does tend to talk for her at times.

I used to just agree with what she was trying to tell me but then realised this wasnt going to help her. Now i get her to repeat what she is saying, i then say it slowly for her to repeat again. It helps a little but not a great deal.

Her ears were tested as a baby and they were fine. They have never been tested since but she does seem to hear very well and doesnt look as though she is having trouble hearing.

Becles

My middle son was like this. He barely said a word until he was 3, and then one day he got up and started talking in full sentences His speech has been fine since.

He was very advanced in other areas though, especially mobility. He was walking at 9 months, was able to climb out of a cot at 10 months and could ride a bike without stabilisers when he was 3.

I think they are all advanced in some areas of development and slower in others, but they all catch up in the end.

Do get checked out just in case there is anything underlying, but I wouldn't worry too much about it just yet.

weenickieS

I think i will get her ears tested again just to be sure.
Any ideas who i should see for this.....health visitor or doctor?

thanks

nottslass_2

weenickieS wrote: »

Dont know if this is the right place to put this. Sorry, if it is.

Anyway, problem is my daughter will be 3 in April and she cant talk. She can say 'no' perfectly, says 'ma' for mum, and tries her best to say a few other words but that is it.

Health visitor said a few months ago she isn't worried and wont be until she turns 3 and hasnt progressed any more. She then will see a speach therapist at nursery but that wont be until after the summer holidays.

She is not stupid and quite bright. Understands everything i say to her. i ask her to do something and she will do it. She tried to have conversations but its all gobblydegoop. Its like she knows what she is saying in her head but its not coming out that way.

I just wondered if anyone else has had this problem with a child and did it get better? How long did it take etc. Also, if anyone has any tips i can try with my daughter. I just worry so much that its never going to happen and she will never talk.

DS was the same - He didn't "say" anything until he was about 18 months - then it was only one word !!! progress was very slow & couldn't even say dad at 2 - like your daughter he appeared to have his own words ( which were nothing like the real thing !!! )eg his word for Dad was "ga ga"

He was well over the age of 3 before he started to catch up with his peers.

If I were you I'd ask for another speech therapy referral - if your HV isn't much use,ask your GP !!! Personally,I didn't find speech Therapy particularly helpful - They obviously weren't used to parents expressing concerns at quite such a young age !!! but like you I wanted as much early intervention as possible !!!

Anyway, I did pick up some helpful tips to encourage speech such as asking questions eg "do you want apple or orange juice ?" so DS actually had to answer instead of just nodding !! Also singing nursery rhymes was another good way to get him to start using words.

I know its easier said than done - but please don't worry. DS is now a perfectly normal 7 yr old who won't shut up:j