Speech concern

Hi all,

DD is 2 on Australia Day - she was born at 31 + 3, and weighed a tiny 1180 grams.

I'd like to hear from other mumma's out there who had prem babies of similar gestation or weight to gauge if DD is behind on the speech front or not.

She babbles heaps, and she is switched on - she'll hear a plane, look to the sky and say 'plane' for example. I'll ask her to close a door, or put something back, get her cup etc - and she can do all those things no worries at all. If I say 'where is your head' she can point to her head - and she can do the same for her nose, ears, eyes and mouth. She can follow the direction 'pull out the plug' too.

Other words she can say is : Daddy, pretty, plane, up-a-day (something we say when she's fallen over), bye-bye, bubby, and she has just started saying her own name (maddy) and Mummy. If I say "one", "two" she can say "three". And thats really about it.

I feel she is lacking - but I may just be stressing over nothing. At kinder gym late last year I gauged her against other 'full term' kids and she seemed sorta on par really, maybe a bit behind - but not huge. But I read my 'Baby Buddies' thread earlier today and it seems all the other kids are chatter boxes - and making sense.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Leesa. My DD wasn't early (was born at 41 weeks) but I think at 2 she probably had a similar amount of words. Her first word was 'bye' at about 13 months, but after that she really didn't say a whole lot until she was a couple of months past her 2nd birthday. Even then, it wasn't clear to other people. Now she is 3, I feel her speech is quite good and sort of on par with her peers, but many of them were speaking far more clearly than her at 2.
Having said that, you could always chat to your MCHN about it - I have been given some exercises from my MCHN for some of Natty's pronunciation issues. Sometimes they can be helpful people, LOL!

Thanks Snacks.

I think I might take up the option of taking DD to see a Paed at the 2 yr mark, so quite soon ;). We were given the appt slip but didn't book one upon leaving at the last appt, but we're still able too book one - so I might just do that.

One of my nieces turned 2 a few weeks ago and she doesnt talk very much at all. All she says is mum, dad and one of her sisters names. That is all she is saying. Her parents arent worried they just think she is being lazy.

I think your DD is doing great for her age, remember she would be 8 weeks behind other kids her age but i really think you have nothing to worry about, if you encourage her to talk then thats fine.

Ive noticed in all my nieces and nephews (7 in total) that they each were different. The SIL i dont like her kids were all advanced for their ages they were all talking at 18 months even sooner in some but my other SIL's kids were a bit behind but they seem fine.

Id say if she isnt speaking more in the next 6 months maybe see someone.

My DS2 also wasn't premmie but he did have some speech issues. He had about the same amount of words as your DD at the age of 2, actually maybe even less.
He is now almost 3 and he is a real chatterbox. He is still somewhat behind in his speech but it isn't of concern to the ECHN or Dr as he can say & repeat words asked of him, he is just not a big talker as yet. He also fills in the missing words in a sentence with a hum which is apparently a good thing as he recognises he needs a word there but just doesn't know what the word is... hopefully soon enough he will know most of the words. We're still waiting to get him in to see the speech therapist though so I will see what happens from there.

Hi Leesa,

Was going to respond to you in our baby buddies thread, but got sidetracked and then saw this post ...

From what you've said about Maddie's speech in your original post above, that is pretty much where Cam is at the moment too. He says a reasonable number of words, and is constantly adding to his vocabulary (today's new word was "toast") but other than putting the word "big" in front of "truck" or "dog", isn't talking in sentences or even joining words together. He too babbles a lot - particularly on his toy phones. I do reckon he's a babbling chatterbox ... but by the same token, I'd love to know what the heck he's saying!

Definitely go see a paed or gp if you're concerned, but from what I've seen of my DS1 and my nephew (who turned 2 last week), Maddie sounds perfectly "normal". I personally think that at this age they understand heaps more than they are capable of verbalising, and as they get older the words will form quickly.

andie xx

Hi,

below is some info i got from a friend which is from a brochure published by the State Child Development Centre in WA. This is not based on prems though so i would go by DD corrected age.

My son Nixon was born at 33+3 & 2296g. he had a speech assesment at 2.6yrs and was told his speech was that of a 1.7yr old(11months behind) he had tonsils and adenoids out at 2.6yrs & fluid drained from his ears which could have been impacting but still remained behind.
In July at 3 1/4yrs he had another assesment and was further behind, so he started speech therapy. been going for 5 months and seeing BIG improvments now.
He's also just recently been assessed by an OT which he has a sensory processing disorder of Dyspraxia, im still learning about it but speech can be affected.
it wouldnt hurt to get DD 2yr check upwith MCHN to find out how she is doing but i have found a lot of them are very etxt book and dont have a great deal on the complexity of prems and their development where a paed will!
but from what you explained she can understand what you are saying (so hopefully eliminating hearing problems)



1-2 years

Primary development: spatial awareness
Motor: walk; step; jump; climb; climb backwards downstairs; squat; push & pull; drink from cup
Language: understand more than they can say; some recognisable words (5 at 15 months, 20 at 18 months); vivid jargon; obey simple commands
Social: swing from dependence to independence; show jealousy; negative behaviour; needs parents close but wanting freedom to explore; encourage independence in feeding, dressing; copy everyday tasks.
Suggested toys/games: pull along toys; large paper and crayons; busy box; soft dolly & basket; telephone; shape box; box car; texture play (play dough, sandpit); music & singing; talk about; hammer toys; soft ball; action rhymes; cardboard books
Dangers: climbing hazards; choking, poisoning, crushing, electrical. May wander. Parents need to set a good example eg avoid taking tablets, carrying things in mouth, bad language, aggressive behaviour

2-3 years

Primary development: ego; concept development; parallel play
Motor: run; walk up & down stairs; gain height with chairs & boxes; throw; circular scribble; turn page singly; twist & screw; competent with cup & spoon
Language: 2 & 3 word sentences; vocabulary of 50-900+ words; echolalia (parroting)
Social: try to be independent & show developing will; may tantrum in fear, frustrations or dreams; can play alone; drussing & undressing skills; ask for food, drink & toilet; opportunity for choice, routine, patience & firmness
Suggested toys/games: toy stove; clock; dress up, hats; letter box; construction eg blocks, duplo; inset boards; sand & water play; stories & games with adults; outings; cartons for imaginative play
Dangers: roads & carparks; stranger danger; climbing hazards; sharp implements; also as for 1-2 years

Thanks Nickers - she seems fairly well on target then.

How is Nixon going now?

Sounds like she is doing quite well, I wouldnt say she was delayed at all, especially when you counter in her corrected age :)

Brendan's Speech/Language can be found HERE
At 25 months old:

Words:
* Car noises (brrrm)
* 'Dadadada'
* 'da-da' (like ta-ta) when waving goodbye

Can also Babble (but we havent heard these for a few months now)
* 'mumumum'
* 'bubububub'
* 'nanananan'
* Imitating some noises

Can Follow these Instructions:
* 'Put that in the bin' (you need to point at what it is you want in the bin)
* 'put your plate in the sink' (will also do this without command)
* 'Pick it up' (same as the bin thing, must point to what it is)

Actions:
* Waving
* Pointing
* Clapping
* Shakes head for 'no' (often does this even when he wants something though)
* Pointing to Body Parts (nose, mouth, ears, hair and almost has tummy)