https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:18:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1638490 Thu, 15 May 2014 21:14:06 +0000 Sammyfab 1638490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: my son is currently receiving speech therapy. I actually didn't even bother to consult with my ped and I put him on the waitlist at 16 months. He was assessed at 22 months and we qualified immediately. My son was an extremely quiet baby and at 18 months had a handful of words. The SLP said that at 2 years, ideally kids would have 50-100 words and starting to form 2-3 word phrases.</p> <p>Speech therapy has helped us a lot in terms of how we can encourage speech and vocabulary development at home. We are going to get a formal assessment done next week to see if we can qualify for more services. </p> <p>Like others have said, having an EI evaluation doesn't hurt. For some things I totally understand the wait and see approach, but if you have a gut instinct that something is wrong, then I think it's better to be proactive! I spoke to several SLPs before I called re: EI (I'm an OT that used to work with preschool-aged children) and they all told me that my LO was fine...but I went with my gut and called anyway. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1638444 Thu, 15 May 2014 20:59:28 +0000 doodlepoodle 1638444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh wow, you all are SO wonderful! I come home and have all these supportive suggestions. THANK YOU! :heart: </p> <p>DH and I talked at dinner, we're going to consult our Ped at J's 2 year visit (it's already scheduled and only 3 weeks away) and if she has any concerns we'll as for a referral to a specialist. DH will be home with J 3 days/week this summer and is going to work with him on more verbalizing and less grunting. We know what he wants most of the time and don't force him to ask for it, so we just need to start encouraging him more. </p> <p>Thank you, ALL! :) I hope that soon I'll report back complaining about how my LO just won't shut up ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1638124 Thu, 15 May 2014 19:42:37 +0000 irene 1638124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamabear57: @NaturallyCathy: Actually mine is like that too with puzzles. Crazy good with puzzles. Maybe ours will all become einsteins :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1636306 Thu, 15 May 2014 12:09:28 +0000 teamjse 1636306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NaturallyCathy: Omg, my ds is just like that, he's really awesome when it comes to puzzles and matching games. He's already putting together puzzles meant for 3 to 4 yrs old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1636226 Thu, 15 May 2014 11:53:34 +0000 irene 1636226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: I see.... interesting... thanks for the info! Now I will consult Dr. Google .... and will also bring it up to our doctor at the 2.5 year old visit.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1636218 Thu, 15 May 2014 11:50:57 +0000 brownie 1636218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: apraxia is a major one. But it is not being able to make the brain control the mouth the way it needs to in order to get the words out. My kid can say one word reasonably clear now at 3 but he can't string them together into an understandable sentence. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1636200 Thu, 15 May 2014 11:47:08 +0000 irene 1636200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: What is motor planning?</p> <p>ETA: At this point I am really not as worried as I did before... he is making 3-word associations, and I am pretty certain his problem is lisp. Then husband said he had lisp when he was a kid and he has to go to therapy when he started going to school, and it was fixed then. So he *claims* he knows how to fix DS when it comes to that lol. Then besides, I am really thinking it was the language thing - he has a strong English preference, so he is saying all these things at school. Sometimes he'd be speaking in sentences in English out of the blue. My friend's daughter, on the other hand, prefers Chinese, so she is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin (well, fluent in a 2-year old sense), but her mom told me that she is practically mute at school (English). haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1636195 Thu, 15 May 2014 11:45:45 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 1636195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamabear57: DS is a killer when it comes to things like puzzles and matching things. He can point to letters even if he can't say them and he mimics really really well but up until a month or two ago, his verbal was just about nada. He would say mama but even things like 'up' for wanting up? Nope, I'll just hold my arms up and cry when you don't pick me up. Whining was huge. But then it was like over night he went from words like mama, dada, to things like bubbles, cereal, banana, yellow, what's this? and so forth. </p> <p>I agree its really hard not to worry but and if it helps, for sure bring it up to the doc. My old one was young and worked in a major hospital so she was pushing for early intervention although family members didn't agree with it. My new one is local, in a small clinic and much more laid back. He actually told me speech delay is normal! If he weren't responding as well to commands, questions, etc then he'd be more concerned but just watching him, he said he'd get there - and then I'll wish for the silence! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1636162 Thu, 15 May 2014 11:38:52 +0000 brownie 1636162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: have you looked into motor planning issues? My son seems to be leaning into that are with his speech. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1636093 Thu, 15 May 2014 11:26:04 +0000 irene 1636093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have posted about my worries with my LO's speech delay. My situation is a bit different - he babbles A LOT, just whatever he says are not very understandable because I think he has lisp (can not pronounce f, s, sh...etc. sounds). </p> <p>So do you think he has more words than the few that he says most? If it were still just a handful (20 words), then I would definitely go for early intervention if I were you. We had an appointment with them when LO was 2 years 3 months, and they were very helpful. We didn't qualify for treatment (because he did have 150+ words by then, just his pronunciation sounds off, and he's not talking like other kids were), but they were great help, and it is often very helpful to have someone to tell you that we are on track and we don't need to worry yet. And the evaluation is free, whereas if you do it via private practice it can cost you a lot. (I don't kno about yours, but my insurance doesn't cover developmental-delayed language therapy).</p> <p>Call early intervention now! It will take them a while to schedule you in. And of course, talk to your pediatrician :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1636082 Thu, 15 May 2014 11:22:07 +0000 teamjse 1636082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NaturallyCathy: That's so comforting to hear, DS is 22 months and only says a few works on a daily basis. He response and understands basic and even some pretty hard commands, but he rarely talks. Dh taught him 6 colors in about 15 mins and he said purple (one of the hardest word in my opinion). We know he can identify all of the colors, but he gets really shy about talking, we seriously asked him for 5 mins and he finally whispered purple to us. Another thing about my ds is that he's extremely stubborn. </p> <p>The other day he kept pointing and trying to tell us he wanted something and he finally said bubbles. So, I'm thinking he'll talk when he wants to and I should really let him talk on his own pace. Not going to lie, its so hard for me not to be concern. We will talk with our ped at his 2 yr old appt and see his recommendations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635775 Thu, 15 May 2014 10:04:45 +0000 pinkcupcake 1635775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: my daughter was a late talker. At her two year appt, she had a decent number of words but wasn't able to string together more than 2 words. I was pretty stressed about it but my pediatrician wasn't. I asked if we should get a speech eval and our ped thought it wasn't necessary. I'm glad I listened to her- overnight it seemed like L's vocab exploded! She's 2 years, 3 months now and the explosion happened about 2 months ago. She was learning like 20+ words a day, can now string together sentences of 4+ words, can sing songs pretty well. </p> <p>So I would have a talk with your ped but if they don't seem too concerned, I would try not to worry so much... I bet your LO will start chatting away in no time! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635718 Thu, 15 May 2014 09:51:24 +0000 Shimmer 1635718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My boys are 21 months and one has 10 words while the other has 3. We qualified for early intervention and receive speech therapy services. Both also need ear tubes (one had them done, waiting for the second one) and I saw a large improvement in communication and language after the tubes were placed. </p> <p>The main reason we started speech was because of frustration levels in my sons. They get so angry that they can't tell me what they need that we had lots of tantrums and I had to do something. They are much calmer now that we sign and are in speech. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635633 Thu, 15 May 2014 09:33:40 +0000 MaryM 1635633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: My youngest nephew was similar. My SIL talked to the Ped at his 2 year check up just so he was in the loop. The doctor said to wait just a little bit longer, and sure enough, he exploded a few months later.</p> <p>The Dr wasn't concerned because it wasn't as if he wasn't able to communicate. He understood when people asked him questions or asked him to do things. And he could indicate what he wanted/needed. We guess he just didn't feel like talking! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635632 Thu, 15 May 2014 09:33:21 +0000 winniebee 1635632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would talk to the pediatrician as a first step and probably would seek a language evaluation -- knowing full well that he could start talking more any day and could just be a little behind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635621 Thu, 15 May 2014 09:30:55 +0000 lawbee11 1635621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would talk to your ped. There's a good chance that it's nothing, but I see no benefit in waiting. Your ped probably has a lot of knowledge/info about this that you'll find reassuring! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635618 Thu, 15 May 2014 09:30:25 +0000 Mrsjets 1635618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: Joel (2 on Monday) juuuust had his language explosion! It's incredible! I get the same feeling of aww and pride as I did when he started walking. I was so worried too and had his hearing/ears checked and had an appt booked with the speech therapist. I really think they do it at their own pace but also think early intervention can never be a bad thing. I'm sure he'll be yapping constantly in no time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635612 Thu, 15 May 2014 09:28:31 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 1635612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: Glad I could help hon. Anytime you need to vent about how frustrating it is to just get points, grunts, and not a lot of verbalization, hit me up ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635605 Thu, 15 May 2014 09:27:34 +0000 looch 1635605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: exactly this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635543 Thu, 15 May 2014 09:05:41 +0000 HLK208 1635543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: I know!! Maybe it's just a June 8th birthday thing? ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635536 Thu, 15 May 2014 09:02:54 +0000 doodlepoodle 1635536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NaturallyCathy: thank you! We know he understands direction, which helps us to be less concerned. We can say 'go put your sneakers in the closet' and he will put them away. It's just verbalizing. I'm hoping he has a language explosion and I post in the future 'my kid won't shut up!!!' ;) thank you for your input!!!</p> <p>@Mrs. Bee: DH and I have started talking way more than usual. DH is normally a fairly quiet person so I've enjoyed talking with him more ;) I think at his 2 year appt I'll talk to his ped and see what she says. </p> <p>@HLK208: these two are TWINS!!! Ha! When I saw @rainbowsprinkles post the video of her LO saying happy birthday I thought 'wtf?! She's a genius!' :) jake isn't anywhere near that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635466 Thu, 15 May 2014 08:50:21 +0000 HLK208 1635466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E is the same right now at 23 months...she's also hard to understand. DH and I just realized, that we actually guess a lot of her "words" without even thinking, along with her pointing and "eh eh eh" sounds - so we're really trying to prompt her now. We'll see how the next month goes and if we don't see a big improvement, we'll talk to her ped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635439 Thu, 15 May 2014 08:44:58 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1635439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i've seen it go both ways. kids with just a couple words at 2 years go on to have a language explosion, and some kids at 4 that are still behind (that never got speech therapy). every kid is so different</p> <p>there's nothing to lose by getting an evaluation. you can contact your health department's early intervention program and don't have to go through your pediatrician.</p> <p>in the meantime, narrating your day can help him pick up new words. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635418 Thu, 15 May 2014 08:39:12 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 1635418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No suggestions really but DS is almost 28 months and he didn't hit a language explosion until last month! Believe me I was worried. My original ped was concerned enough that she urged me to schedule an evaluation for hearing and speech but my husband was just as adamant that we not worry about it. My MIL is fond of reminding me that Einstein didn't talk for a long time. </p> <p>Anyways long story short, I made the evaluation appointment, cancelled it just shy of his 2nd birthday, and waited. Our current ped wasn't concerned at the 2 year check up so that put my mind at ease. And you know what? He started saying words a month ago and very quickly made it to two or more word sentences and started singing songs! All that worry for nothing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/speech-delay-1#post-1635390 Thu, 15 May 2014 08:32:54 +0000 doodlepoodle 1635390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Jake is going to be 2 on June 8 and we are worried about his speech. He really doesn't talk much. We know he's shy in public but even at home he rarely says words other than: mama, dada, please, ball, cars, choochoo and (of course) no. I feel like he's pretty behind, I know a lot of toddler boys develop physical skills faster (and he's great there!) but he can't/won't say a lot of simple words and we are starting to worry. </p> <p>What would you do? Talk to the ped? Call a speech therapist? Just wait for a 'language explosion' or just forget it? Any suggestions to get him talking? </p>