https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 02:09:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-olds-communication#post-2864142 Sun, 30 Dec 2018 18:59:57 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2864142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When LO’s inunciation makes it difficult to understand I let him know calmly that I can’t understand and then I invite him to show me what he wants or is talking about. Letting me show me has saved LO from growing frustrated to the point of tears. Then, I say the word(s) and have LO try to repeat them after me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-olds-communication#post-2864133 Sun, 30 Dec 2018 16:09:23 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2864133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is 4 and has suspected apraxia/motor speech disorder so I second the motor stuff mentioned above as well as OT/PT assessment and evaluation. Communication boards and pictures helped us as well as sign language. He has been in private and public speech since 18 months and the home activities are so crucial when they’re young as they don’t cooperate during the sessions and it needs to be repeated for consistency. We have done several Hanan speech programs which you can look up online, borrow or buy the textbooks. I believe there is one specifically for those on the spectrum. The program focused a lot of parent teaching sessions and then we would practice at home with him. It’s much easier now he’s 4 and he’s made leaps and bounds. Age 2-2.5 was very hard for us with the tantrums so some of your issues could be normal development. We worked a lot on pointing at things or taking our hand to show us, holding up 2 objects for him to choose and creating our own hand gestures that worked.</p> <p>Also get his hearing tested just as a precaution. DS’s ENT waffled on doing tubes after 4 abnormal hearing tests but we had a massive explosion after he finally got them done. You would NEVER think he couldn’t hear properly. He always responded and seemed to hear us but the amount of fluid constantly in his ears was crazy when they did the surgery. Basically he heard like he had water in both ears for 2.5 yrs.</p> <p>Also I wanted to say that it’s so so hard to watch them try to communicate and they can’t. Reading your post brings back a lot of emotional memories as we navigated through the system. We had lots of time where it seemed there wasn’t any progress and then we would have a breakthrough. I really hope that happens for you and just know that you’re doing your best to be your child’s advocate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-olds-communication#post-2864108 Sun, 30 Dec 2018 11:03:32 +0000 cyoung 2864108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@magnolia: thank you so much! We bought some pecs cards but I haven't used them yet. His speech teacher said she could help me get started and what to do. I'll have to check out house books for sure. That routine chart could really help too. We have a routine but its not super strict but maybe I need to step up in that area. He does go to a moms day out for social interaction twice a week so I've been told that that helps a lot. </p> <p>@looch: not too many actitvies really. She is super sweet and we love her. My son loves when she comes over but she is like 25 weeks pregnant and I think she is getting tired and not fully being here mentally sometimes. I understand how she feels so I don't get too upset. She did start bumping up our sessions to two times a month.</p> <p> @Baby Boy Mom: I will look into that. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-olds-communication#post-2864107 Sun, 30 Dec 2018 10:49:23 +0000 magnolia 2864107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also some tools for communication that have been suggested to me is using visuals to go with words - PECS (picture exchange communication system). The child points to a picture or gives another person a card with the picture on it - see attached example</p> <p>I also use a visual magnet schedule for my son so he knows what to expect. It’s called “easy daisies” and has pictures to go with the words. </p> [attach=4966/18/pkk3yb.450x600.image.jpg] [attach=4966/18/pkk3yc.450x600.image.jpg] [attach=4966/18/pkk3ye.450x600.image.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-olds-communication#post-2864101 Sun, 30 Dec 2018 10:03:04 +0000 magnolia 2864101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cyoung: I wrote a whole response and then it didn’t post. Just wanted to say how amazing it is that you had him in speech therapy. Early intervention makes all the difference. You’re doing a great job mama! </p> <p>My 4 year old was evaluated for services at 2.5 and was given a preliminary autism diagnosis, the diagnosis was confirmed last summer. He is level 1 which means high functioning more or less..... it was really hard at first. But he has made huge growth since then. He currently gets speech 3x a week as well as occupational therapy 2x a week in school. We also have him once a week in private speech/play therapy and 6 hours of ABA. My son is also very smart and has a higher than average IQ. He just learns differently and has a lot of difficulty with social interactions. </p> <p>Some of your son’s behavior sounds like it could be developmentally appropriate. (Tantrums) ABA really helped us with his behavior though. </p> <p>If you are interested in books I would recommended Uniquely Human by Barry Prizant and Neurotribes by Steven Silberman. I also just read How to talk So Little Kids Will Listen and it’s great. It has a few chapters specifically on speech delayed kiddos</p> <p>Hugs and feel free to reach out with anything. As you move forward :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-olds-communication#post-2864100 Sun, 30 Dec 2018 09:43:43 +0000 Pollywog 2864100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate to agree that it sounds like the spectrum. Ifit is, I agree with @Baby Boy Mom that dietary changes make a huge difference. A few things that helped my boss's daughter who's autistic and nonverbal is having a board of common requests that she can point to what she wants. That really helps. Also lots of routines really help. Deviation from the routine causes major meltdowns </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-olds-communication#post-2864093 Sun, 30 Dec 2018 09:12:43 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2864093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So this is not directly about speech, but if you think your lo will be diagnosed on the spectrum I would implement some dietary changes asap. At the minimum gluten free/casein free, but ideally specific carbohydrate diet or gaps diet. Check them out and feel free to msg me questions. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-olds-communication#post-2864091 Sun, 30 Dec 2018 08:32:28 +0000 looch 2864091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is your speech therapist giving you activities to do at home?</p> <p>My son really needed motor assistance, so we have a ton of tools, like bite sticks, a z-vibe tool and some other stuff for stimulation because he didn’t have strong sensations around his mouth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-olds-communication#post-2864090 Sun, 30 Dec 2018 08:18:58 +0000 JennyPenny 2864090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 20 month old is delayed but his ped thinks it’s too early for services. I’ve been listening to the Teach Me to Talk podcast and the tips have definitely been helping. <a href="http://teachmetotalk.com/category/podcast/" rel="nofollow">http://teachmetotalk.com/category/podcast/</a> Her recent “I need a plan” series was especially helpful for us to figure which areas to focus on first, though I’m sure your therapist could share that with you too. She also sells a lot of materials which I would expect to be high quality, but I haven’t used them personally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-olds-communication#post-2864089 Sun, 30 Dec 2018 07:23:45 +0000 cyoung 2864089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey just for some background my son is 26 months. He definitely has a speech delay and even with our speech therapy since 18 months old still says only about 8 words or so. I've just noticed lately he has become super frustrated when he is trying to tell us stuff. He is trying to communicate cause he will clap to get my attention and stuff when he is frustrated. What are some more things I can do to help with communication. We are trying sign language but it's like it doesnt click with him sometimes. My son is VERY smart but in some way developmentally mentally is behind. He already pees in the potty when I take him and knows a lot of other things. He gets so mad when he doesnt get his way and will scream and sometimes throw himself on the floor. He does it in public and people always side eye me. He looks like he is 4 cause he is so tall. Most people dont know he is 2.<br /> Also we are testing him for autism this year. His pedestrian believes he will fall on the spectrum. </p> <p>Any tips would he great. It just makes me sad he isnt able to communicate the way he wants to. I can tell he is not satisfied. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-iep-before-elementary-school-experience#post-2856506 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 20:28:45 +0000 jhd 2856506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: Sorry I forgot to reply! Our IEP meeting went really well. Thanks for asking! I was really nervous about it because I'm just not ready to think about my 4yo going to Kinder yet! ;) I asked for a few accommodations on top of the speech therapy, which might not be essential for K, but I feel better about having them in place as DS grows. </p> <p>He's currently getting only one 30 min session per week through the school but will get 2 per week with the possibility of a third session maybe when he goes to K. We're also doing 2 one hour sessions per week at a clinic at our local university through our insurance. It's a teaching clinic. The professor is fantastic and so far we have had excellent student therapists. But it was a year long wait list to get in! I wanted to push the idea that DS might need more therapy at school than he's currently getting, because private therapy might not continue to be feasible: our insurance approves speech six months at a time, what if they don't approve the same frequency of therapy in future? and also time wise he might not be able to handle an hour long speech session twice a week after a full day at kinder. (He's currently in 1/2 day preschool). Anyway sorry for the ramble. I felt like they listened to my concerns and even if they thought my requests for accommodations were overkill for K, they were understanding and happy to write them in! ;)</p> <p>And definitely like others said above if you haven't yet, get LO's hearing checked. I'd recommend seeing a pediatric ENT and audiologists who specialize in kids if you have those in your area. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-iep-before-elementary-school-experience#post-2856505 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 20:10:05 +0000 magnolia 2856505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cam: yes I second the hearing test and an ENT! My first speech therapist recommended it and my son ended up needing tubes. His speech has improved drastically since the surgery (only two months ago) in addition to a years worth of<br /> Intensive therapy </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-iep-before-elementary-school-experience#post-2856487 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 18:46:36 +0000 cam 2856487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have experience with an IEP specifically but the publically funded program where I am used the Hanen programs. We did both It Takes Two to Talk and Target Word. The guidebooks are available to buy on their website. <a href="http://www.hanen.org/Programs/For-Parents.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.hanen.org/Programs/For-Parents.aspx</a></p> <p>I'll also mention a plug for getting hearing checked if you haven't. I would have thought DS could hear fine based on listening to instructions and whatnot but he had goop in his ears that was impacting his hearing and muffling sounds. After he got tubes, speech has been improving quickly with his private SLP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-iep-before-elementary-school-experience#post-2856373 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 12:13:39 +0000 magnolia 2856373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: sorry it took me awhile</p> <p>Let’s Talk Together is written by two speech therapists and has hands on activities to do with your child and Play to Talk is another book for parents with activities and ideas.</p> <p>I’m also reading “how to talk so little kids will listen” and while it’s not specifically for kids with speech issues it’s a really good book (and they do have a chapter on “differently wired” kids) </p> [attach=4966/18/pi56ir.450x600.image.jpg] [attach=4966/18/pi56it.450x600.image.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-iep-before-elementary-school-experience#post-2856154 Sun, 11 Nov 2018 19:38:49 +0000 pinkb 2856154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: we always had a point of contact, we still have the same lady. Even though they are limited on time they can give they are all very nice and understanding. I found the speech and language pathologist that we have very helpful in giving us information and ways to help DD.<br /> I tried to go thru the normal speech services with our insurance and they cover Nothing. We paid almost $800 a month for our insurance and speech would have been 100% out of pocket. So I had to search for help that was aforable for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-iep-before-elementary-school-experience#post-2856137 Sun, 11 Nov 2018 15:27:23 +0000 gotkimchi 2856137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just seeing this now but we have an iep for speech same thing - 4yo at 2yo or younger level. At one point she was less then 0.1% percentile :sad: we do speech 2 times per week at the school (would be 3 if she attended there) and 2 times private. Let me know if you have specific questions </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-iep-before-elementary-school-experience#post-2856119 Sun, 11 Nov 2018 11:44:34 +0000 Elizabear 2856119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello! I am not a special educator but I am a public school teacher. Knowing what I know from the inside, I would definitely get my daughter private services if needed. I encourage you to find a therapist who will give you tips on how to become your child's therapist meaning teach you how to teach your child everyday. I would def get the IEP in place as soon as possible but also seek out more supports though your heath insurance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-iep-before-elementary-school-experience#post-2855955 Fri, 09 Nov 2018 14:28:07 +0000 codeitall 2855955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@magnolia: That's a good point, the frequency of the EI appts made a difference for his progress, I'm sure it will be the same now. Were you able to find any books I should put on my holiday reading list?</p> <p>@jhd: That's how I feel now! I called to get the evaluation scheduled all the way back around Labor Day and only now are we getting close to the IEP part! How did your new IEP session go?</p> <p>@pinkb: Our local preschool is only in 2 hour sessions, and he didn't need anything other than 1:1 speech therapy, so he will be shuttled to the local elem. school. How did you call a meeting to say DD needed more? The IEP process is so regulated, how are we supposed to ask for more/better help? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-iep-before-elementary-school-experience#post-2855409 Tue, 06 Nov 2018 21:12:21 +0000 pinkb 2855409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with above push if needed. It seems like it all takes way too long to get everything in place. DD qualified for weekly speech services as well as full time preschool. She was in school from 730 til 2 with typical speaking kids and some kids who were behind. It was the best thing ever for her. She had previously been at an in home center but the larger classroom with all the kids and an ese teacher in her classroom really helped so so much. She got 1 hr of speech a week split into 2 30 minute sessions in group setting with up to 3 other kids. I wasn't very pleased with the set up and actually called a meeting about it again it took awhile to get set up. Our county is limited as I am sure a lot of places are with the budget they have and how to provide the services. As much as we were so happy for all of it, it was still hard to deal with at times. I continued to look for more help and found a place that gave discounted speech services finally! We are still with the private therapist over 2 years later and still have our iep in kindergarten. Good luck! Sometimes it felt like such a fight but it gets better!! Before you know it their speech does change and you can't believe where you started. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-iep-before-elementary-school-experience#post-2855401 Tue, 06 Nov 2018 20:51:27 +0000 jhd 2855401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree to push for as much therapy as possible. And push to get your IEP written as soon as possible so services can start ASAP as well. For example, we aged out of early intervention in April and they said they would wait until new school year to write his IEP. There were delays, time taken to evaluate LO, then time to write the IEP and finally we started therapy in December. I’m still mad about it a year later! ;) We are meeting to write his new IEP on Thursday so I may be able to help more then. Not trying to scare you but don’t be afraid to push for what you need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-iep-before-elementary-school-experience#post-2855384 Tue, 06 Nov 2018 19:11:04 +0000 magnolia 2855384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Push for as much as you can get! As a parent you have the right to argue for what you want. the frequency makes a huge difference. My son gets speech 3x a week for 30 minutes. We also do private once a week. We have a preschool special education program in our district/city so he is also in a small class with a trained special education teacher with the services on site. The other public preK would’ve been too overwhelming for him.<br /> . I have a few books I want to recommend to you also but I have to look them up as they are at work right now </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-iep-before-elementary-school-experience#post-2855377 Tue, 06 Nov 2018 18:43:48 +0000 codeitall 2855377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Apparently he has made no progress from his appt a year ago when they evaluated him and said he was fine. But we pushed for reevaluation and he's in the first percentile now. At the level of a 2 year old or younger and he's almost 4!</p> <p>We qualify for an IEP and weekly speech therapy at the elementary school. I know that everything depends on the district really, but can you share your experiences and any tips you have? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842635 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 12:18:23 +0000 maddyz 2842635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 was an early and proficient talker. DS2 is really taking his time. He was just like your LO at 15 and 18 months and actually got EI evaluation. But now at almost two the words won't stop coming! He was always a good communicator, but never interested in mimicking (unless it's doing the naughty thing DS1 just did). It's SO hard not to compare.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842599 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 09:48:22 +0000 smuckers 2842599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Truly, thank you all so much for commenting. I feel so much better that A) this seems to be a really common worry at this age, and B) she seems to be right in line with so many other people's experiences! We have her 15m checkup next week, so we'll see what our dr says. Thank you everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842597 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 09:39:17 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2842597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS was like this. DH and I stayed home with him and both of us are quiet people. </p> <p>DS had only a word or two at 15 months and had just started walking. At 18 months, he only had a few more. I called Early Intervention and when they did the assessment at 18 months, he was 25% delayed. (DH had major speech delays, so I didn't want to wait.) Our speech therapist started with signs (eat, drink, milk, water). DS will be 4 in October and is caught up. </p> <p>I'm glad that I didn't wait, because Early Intervention taught us how to help him. He probably would have been fine anyway, but I feel better knowing that he wouldn't have DH's delays. Part of the concern that I had was that he didn't babble until 10 months and he didn't say anything until 15 months (includes mama and dada).</p> <p>DD has been in daycare since 7 months and is now 16 months. She has probably about 20-30 words and I am just amazed at the difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842588 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 08:43:01 +0000 thepicklemonster 2842588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son started walking, talking and showing receptive language literally overnight at 15 months and a week. All of it at once. I was worried, especially about the receptive language and lack of pointing but he suddenly did it all. They change so quickly at that age! He’s 23 mos now, has way more words than I can count and speaks in 3<br /> word sentences. I was so worried so I totally understand. I’d wait to see how she’s doing at 18 mos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842579 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 07:55:34 +0000 daniellemybelle 2842579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is definitely a wide range of normal at this age. My first child was a talker and my 17 month old is absolutely a mover!</p> <p>I would consider my 17 month old to be a slow talker within the range of normal, based on things I've read, conversations with other parents and with our pediatrician. Right now he has 17 "words" (some of which are sounds such as a very rough approximation of "vroom vroom"). At 15 months, I think it was only 3 words! Our pediatrician said we should be shooting for 10-20 words by 18 months.</p> <p>When I was starting to get a little concerned, I watched some YouTube videos of speech therapy for toddlers and implemented some of those techniques in our daily life, and I really do think it helped! I would encourage your husband to read to her and play nursery rhymes for her during the day if he doesn't always feel chatty - which as a SAHM I can relate to! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842576 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 07:01:11 +0000 Ajsmommy 2842576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Neither of my kids had many words at 15 mos. I never worried although blogs/posts/boards did make me wonder.... I remember at DD's 18 mos apt I said she said 3 words. Ped was fine with that bc everything else was fine.... fast forward a few months and she was a motor mouth and was getting (and still does get at 4.5yo) compliments on how well she speaks/communicates.</p> <p>DS is 18 mos and I feel like he only has mayyyyyybe 5 words... but I sometimes feel like people "count" words early just to count them... LOL... I kinda hate that it's almost like a competition and I wish it was more open bc in all honesty every kid is different!! I'd focus more on their overall development.... and understanding of directions and social situations. I feel like the words will come...... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842571 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 05:47:30 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2842571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 15 months LO didn’t say many words either. We spoke to him all the time and he attended daycare. My pediatrician based on observation wasn’t concerned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842560 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 00:33:39 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2842560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter didn’t say more than about 10 words until she turned 2. Then her language just took off!! Pretty amazing. Now she’s advanced in many ways at 3.5. You don’t have any need to worry. </p>