Child speech problems- help needed

LutonGuy

Hi Guys,

Need a little help/some encouraging words as i am really feeling helpless.

I have a 2 years and 9 months old son who has not starting talking yet (not even single basic words). He had a hearing screening test that comes OK. Now he is referred to speech therapist & I had a appointment with her yesterday. After evaluating, she says he does not yet need speech therapist and referred to something called "Communicating and playing".

She says, his speech capabilities are like 7-8 months baby and learning skills are like 18 months baby.

I need some personal experiences from you guys about how to handle the situation. Am I worried too much? Is this normal and he will gain the pace on this own time-frame? What should I do/ or you have done that worked for you?

Many thanks for reading and any suggestions welcome.

Regards

Alchemilla

I was in a similar situation with my son but the speech therapy appointment took 12 months to come through and in that time most of his problems had resolved themselves.

I am interested to know how the speech therapist could determine a learning delay in one appointment - was it one?

And did s/he explain why speech therapy not needed?

I would get to see a HV for a developmental assessment if possible.

Eta I would add that of course no child develops in a linear way and so try not to panic though easier said than done.

Gigervamp

Boys are often behind in speech. Both of my sons needed speech therapy, as did my brother and his son.

With my youngest son, he didn't even say mumma and dadda until he was well over a year old, and once he did start talking, he seemed to have his own language that I had to translate when he was talking to someone else. He eventually grew out of it once he started nursery, probably because he needed to make himself understood.

Try not to worry too much.

HPoirot

I wouldn't worry too much at this stage. My 2nd niece wasn't talking at 3 years although her elder sister was a precocious talker!

Sis was worried, went through the usual channels, booked speech therapist, etc. The week before the appointment, niece 2 started talking and couldn't stop... She was even telling fairy stories in her sleep! Turned out she knew all about words etc, but had just taken her time to say them.

oystercatcher

My friend's son was similar, turned out he had some problems with nerve development in his jaw (I think) he had a fair bit of help over the years. He is now 21 and at Uni and achieving well. he still speaks slightly strangely but he's a lovely person and will have a relatively normal life.

The thing is, you'll probably get a whole load of happy ending stories, maybe some not so happy ones too....... none of these will alter what is going to happen to your son though. He is an individual with or without his own problems. We can't tell you how he will turn out and I doubt the health professionals can either at the moment as every child is different.

The good thing is, he's in the system and starting assessments. My friends son learned sign language first so he could communicate and then they worked on the speech gradually. He went to mainstream school but had quite a few special needs 'extras' My friend had to fight a few battles to get the right help for her son, she had him held back a year in primary school as his birthday was very near the deadline, being the oldest in the year instead of the youngest made a huge difference.

I have to go out so will come back and finish...... panic not though, you have a lovely son , be prepared to give him lots of love and support so he can fulfill his best potential.

hugs

LutonGuy

Alchemilla wrote: »

I was in a similar situation with my son but the speech therapy appointment took 12 months to come through and in that time most of his problems had resolved themselves.

I am interested to know how the speech therapist could determine a learning delay in one appointment - was it one?

Yes, It was only one appointment.

And did s/he explain why speech therapy not needed?

Nope, no idea she just referred him to communicate and play

I would get to see a HV for a developmental assessment if possible.

I will call HV and see what she says.

Eta I would add that of course no child develops in a linear way and so try not to panic though easier said than done.

Thanks for your reply.

jozxyqk

It's only natural to worry. We were concerned our son wasn't really speaking compared to other kids at nursery - but it does seem girls develop this area much earlier and most of the boys his age are at a similar level. He says a few words now, but understands much more than he says - e.g. pointing at objects / colours that we talk about.

Does he communicate non-verbally, (e.g. Makaton)? Make eye contact? Giggles?

If so I'm inclined to think he'll get there in his own time.

greeneggs_2

My child had delayed speech, although we never got as far as the speech therapy stage I did speak to a speech therapist informally at stay an play.

She said unless there's a medical issue then predominately delayed speech is either 'caused' by parents who don't talk to their children enough or by parents who talk in long complicated sentences and don't really dumb their speech down enough for a child. (I was in the second group) Obviously there are children who learn to talk fine even with parents doing this.

The play group you've been referred to (I assume) is early intervention to help parents develop different strategies for talking to their child and modelling speech. As I understand it that is the general strategy unless they feel there is a medical delay.

We found this book really useful http://www.amazon.co.uk/Babytalk-Sally-Ward/dp/0099297205/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384790429&sr=1-1 (I got it from the library) I can't hand on heart say we followed the advice consistently but it did change the way we spoke to him and modelled speech.

One of the things it advised was for 30 minutes or so a day sit on the floor while your child is playing and narrate what they are doing so rather than saying 'look there's a blue car' and trying to get them to look at what you are looking at you just talk about what they are doing. e.g. "You've put the red car on the ramp. Now you've got the blue car" etc etc. It sounds a bit ridiculous when you first start doing it but it did help. It also suggested cutting down on background noise in the house (TV radio etc) and not trying to make the child perform.

Also remember even though he isn't talking his language and understanding will be developing.

I hope that helps a bit x

System

Two of my boys needed speech therapy. My two daughters talked me to death. Kids don't develop always at the same rate. Even brothers and sisters. I talked from an early age, my brother needed speech therapy.

CRANKY40

If I had a child and the speech therapist was telling me his skills were a year behind where they should be I would be back to the doctor for an explanation and/or a referral to a paediatrician. It's all very well saying they develop at different times - they do, but I'd still want it checking. Incidentally mine at 18 months never shut up. His friend two months older didn't speak for another year but could work a screwdriver at the age of two while mine was clueless.

atolaas

My son is due to start school in September. His speech didn't start to develop until he started nursery at 2.5 yo. Is your son an only child, like mine? It maybe that he needs to interact with other children his own age to help him to develop his speech.