When is speech delay a concern?

[Matryoshka]

I really despise the public system (no offence intended!), i've just had such bad experiences with my own health that i'll only use private from now on.

So i'm still waiting for an appointment with our GP, when i rang up our long term GP had left! She hasn't been replaced so the clinic is swamped, I see her collegue in one week. Then i'll ask for both the hearing test refferal (though i'm positive thats fine, he can hear you open a packet of biscuits like a kilometre away ) And the refferal for the speech therapist....

I haven't been to the MCHN, i tend to feel really patronised when i go. I suppose they have to treat all mums as if they're clueless but its really irritating. Would she be able to offer advice though??

I've also ramped up the reading big time... as many short stories as i can in a day, and often he brings me the same books over and over. I'll read it, and he'll open it right up for me to read again. Plus the little books with the pictures and word of item (ie, duck, yellow duck etc). He enjoys it, but still makes no effort to copy, or even open his mouth. There's two things he has attempted, mumma - which he says mumumumum and baby (after his bath we wrap him up and my dh would always say baby), he says bah. But not often, and not unless really prompted, he smiles when he does say it though.

What else can i do? keep in mind i have an almost 4 year old who is so over the baby books! And i'm exhausted... i'm still recovering from PND.

He's 20 months.

[Ellibam]

i didnt need a referal to see a speechy with DS. i just rang(a private one) and got in. she then refered us to the free service and as were were already in "the system" we didnt have to wait.

I think if your not happy with how he is (or isnt) talking then see someone. you know him better then anyone else.

[Matryoshka]

I'm just going by the developmental guidelines, seems like he should be at least trying to verbalise things by what i've read. But me as the mother.... i think he just doesn't feel he needs to talk yet, he's always doing something, whereas DS1 was never a "do-er", once he could talk he was always talking, and liked reading. Comparing him to DS1, he's way ahead in regards to co-ordination, skills, he does things and we're always saying (to ourselves) "wow Ds1 only started doing that recently," etc and they are 2 years apart. Maybe its a second child thing, i don't know. I'm not worried... yet... but DS1 was talking before now, so thats all i can compare it too.

I'd like things to take their natural progression, but i did wonder if this was a concern, so started this thread because its hard to know.

[Freya]

We had a similar situation with J and R. R was never a vocaliser for such a long time whereas J never stopped talking from the moment he learnt he had a voice box. I was worried about R's speech but my GP told me to worry when he is 3 and not saying anything at all (and partial-sound words count!). He would just grunt or mumble unintelligable things occasionally. Turning two was the turning point! Its like he just suddenly flicked his vocab switch and now he doesnt stop talking. So maybe Ds2 is just happy to let Ds1 and everyone else do the talking while he listens and does things. R is very manual; he loves using his hands, building with blocks, climbing, riding his bike. We figure its just his thing.
I hope a speech pathologist gives you some answers or Ds2 just surprises you in his own time! Never wrong to get concerns checked though; better safe than sorry down the track.

[feeb]

DS1 has not changed from previous post.

We have had a hearing test which was normal, pead suggested but I didnt need a referal and it was bulk billed.

Also suggested at last appt that could ring private speech pathology. However MCHN has reffered me to a clinic at public hospital as he is not walking or talking and appts will be with physio and speech. Referal was sent last week so should get appt in a few weeks.

I am not concerned more frustrated as I see mothers group kids that walk and talk, but I feel he is just taking it all in.

Good luck

[Arimeh]

Maybe its a second child thing cos DD1 was never a huge talker until just recently - and she's around the same age as yours. DS on the other hand NEVER shut up from the moment he was born and was a very early talker. I was worried about DD1 there for a while, comparing her to DS all the time (cos you do that cos thats all you are used to!)

[~Raven~]

My DS1 didn't talk much at all till he was 2.5 and he has aspergers. Late onset of speech on it's own isn't an issue but it can be if there are other things that he is doing now or he may develop as he gets older. I think if you're concerned it is wise to follow your instinct and get him checked out.

I also think that sometimes they just need a bit more time to do things when they're ready. I'm always comparing mine to each other lol. FWIW you'll probably find that your DS2 will do other things at a younger age to what DS1 did. EG my DS2 might have talked before DS1 did, but DS1 was big on counting and recognising colours at a younger age.


Our council has a group called toddler matters, which is like a supervised play group, that has a few different specialists (speech and OT come to mind but there is a few other types) that can watch your child play. Perhaps you could contact your MCHN or council to see if they have a similar program over there.

HTH

[Matryoshka]

wow thanks for the replies... really helpful! i wanted to reply to some things but dont know how to multi quote.

Freya, yes he's really "manual", hands on. His hand/finger co-ordination amazes me.... i can't help stereotyping but i can see he'll be good with gadgets, sport etc.

His scope for understanding (and hearing) is really good, for instance he points to the right body parts and things when you ask him (where is your nose, where is mum?).

The ONLY thing that concerns me, is that when he wants something now he uses the hand signals, and says "ah ah ah ah" with a sense of urgency. He never says anything else, even when i repeat back "oh you'd like a drink, D R I N K" (pronounced slowly), he just smiles.

DS1 used to try to copy me... around this age... i know i'm comparing again, can't help it.


Raven, do you mind telling me what else i might look for that he's doing that is abnormal?

See the other thing that i wondered if it is a factor is our isolation, because of my PND & other health issues, we literally haven't socialised in over 6 months, no playdates, no friends etc. I was a lot more social with DS1, but then i figure DS1 & DS2 have each other, and they are good mates. I feel guilty about not providing them with more of a social life, but its hard when predominantly i haven't been able to drive/leave the house. Though i can't really say its lack of communication, because DS1 is always talking to DS2, and i am too..... just lack of alternate stimulation. Though now that i'm on the mend (touch wood), i really am trying to get our social life back.

Sally, that would be great if you could pass that on to me!! thank you.

Maz, my gut is thinking he needs a little help getting words out... but i don't know why..... i just know he hasn't been read to as much as i would have liked, and can't help wonder if its something to do with the PND, I dunno.

I've tried to ramp up the wooden puzzles too, you know animals, vehicles, so i say the word when he has the peice.

What to you think of flash cards? DS1 was given some but i thought they were a bit um, un-natural? Maybe they'd help though?

Also something else to mention, the dummy... DS1 had one until 2ish and it wasn't a problem with his speech. I let him have it when ever he wants (as i feel he's needed that source of comfort particularly through my PND), but if its around he'll put it in. I'd like him to have it a bit longer as sucking for comfort is really natural (at his age DS1 was breastfeeding for comfort), he doesn't have the boob for comfort though. I hope its not hindering him, mouth development etc?

[maz]

Freya, yes he's really "manual", hands on. His hand/finger co-ordination amazes me.... i can't help stereotyping but i can see he'll be good with gadgets, sport etc.

now there is an alarm bell going off in my head reading that hon.

Having a child on the spectrum who was aware of things beyond his years with gadgets it really does make them go off big time.

go to your health nurse hon and get a referal

[Mad Scientist]

Flash cards really helped my DD1. They say dummies can affect speech but DD1 had hers until 2 and she's caught up now although still behind a bit. It's hard not to compare when it's all you know. I'd give the flash cards a go. They require perseverance but it's worth it

[Early Kids]

The ONLY thing that concerns me, is that when he wants something now he uses the hand signals, and says "ah ah ah ah" with a sense of urgency. He never says anything else, even when i repeat back "oh you'd like a drink, D R I N K" (pronounced slowly), he just smiles.

I'll PM you those things soon, but just wanted to add in here for everyone else to read too... You need to simplify your language. When he points to a drink and you know that's what he wants just say "drink? you want drink?" that way you are giving him the correct word twice and much simpler or his language. He is more likely to answer or speak back if you give that chance to as well.

Another tip we use that works well is don't speak normally, try and sing your words focussing on the sounds of the word.

I don't speak to my kids like they are babies, I speak to them as another human, just in a more cheerful tone with simpler language.

One of the first things Speech Pathologists ask (in my experience) is, How is their hearing, when was it last tested. So my advice would be that if you are looking at the speech therapy road get a hearing check done first so at least that aspect can be eliminated.

Will get those sheets to you now

[Early Kids]

It doesn't hurt to get an opinion from a Speech Pathologist.

Both my boys are delayed. Brendan has been in therapy since 11 months and Tristan started this month (9 months old) Brendan started for feeding issues and went on to the speech side of things. Tristan is in it for the speech side of things as he is not babbling at all. The earlier you get onto the delay the better the outcome.

Our CHN referred the boys onto the speech therapist.

I've got some material that might be of some help to you if you want I can PM it to you. It's some handouts that I was given during Brendan's Speech Group Session.

[maz]

We're having issues with speech here and Tank is 26months old. I myself am not overly concerned as my other 2 boys have been through speech therapy...one for lack of understanding his wording and the other due to his autism. But allas the Pead we see is insisting we go and Im more then happy to get him checked

What is your 'gut' telling you? Do other factors and behaviours have you concerned at all?

I am in total agreeance with getting on a list...really what harm can it do if by appointment time you have to cancel? The waiting lists for public/private can be the same and in the mean time you could work on it yourself if you wanted to. Lots of speechies use games and puzzles when they are trying to teach speech. Making it a game is a hell of alot more fun and doesnt seem as hard for them.