https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:17:45 +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>