My little boy is turning two soon and isn’t talking, he understands instructions and can point out various objects, should I be worried?

[Coralsapphire]

My little boy is turning two but only says around 8 words.

He understands everything I’m saying and can point out animals and lots of other various objects.

I have tried so many different ways to get him speaking but am really struggling to get anything out of him.

My health visitor has said to wait until he’s 27 months and if no improvement she will refer him to a speech therapist.

Any advice please, should I be worried?

Thanks!

[wherearemysox]

Some children don’t talk until they’re ready. My partner’s mum told me the other day he didn’t really talk until he was 4 and I was so surprised! He is totally fine. I think the time limits we put on children can sometimes be really unsuitable for many children.

If you have noticed any other issues with your boy which stand out along with the speech then maybe discuss them with your health visitor but otherwise if they have said not to worry then just keep doing what you’re doing and I’m sure he will speak when he is ready xxx

[Coralsapphire in reply to wherearemysox]

Yes a few people have said to me about time limits and how no child is the same so I need to try and not compare him to other children his age but I’m finding it so hard. It’s more so when other people say “oh he doesn’t talk a lot does he” or “my little one was talking so much at his age”. It’s so frustrating, makes me feel like I’m doing something wrong as a parent.

He understands everything I say and I have no other concerns about his development so I think he’s just not quite ready yet and I need to stop worrying so much and I definitely need to not let peoples opinions get to me so much.

Thank you.

[wherearemysox in reply to Coralsapphire]

I actually missed that you said he says 8 words, so he has started talking! As long as you have no other concerns and you know he understands then I’m sure he’s absolutely fine. People need to remember to keep their opinions to themselves.

I work in the early years and with our more reluctant speakers we just make sure we model short sentences a couple of times e.g. if he knows the word bottle you could say “the bottle is on the table” and repeat, then “mummy has the bottle” and repeat etc. Just so they have those short concise sentences as models but we’re not trying to force them to speak which can make them uncomfortable xx

[Coralsapphire in reply to wherearemysox]

Yes I’ve been spending more time making sure I’m describing what we’re doing and using words he can already say along side more words, so will hopefully see some progress! I have read as well that constantly asking them to say things is going to make them more reluctant and to instead encourage them that “they can” rather than saying “can you”.

Thanks again, I feel so much better already hearing other people’s advice and positivity rather than some of the negative opinions I’ve had recently!

[Desidel]

You should just call a regional center and get him evaluated it’s free and wouldn’t hurt. They have a therapist come to you. They only do it till they’re three so call ASAP. Good luck with everything!! P.S my son and daughter got this. Daughter because of a disability son because he needed help with certain sounds.

[Lbel00]

My son was the same at 2 he only said a few words but could understand what you were saying. When he had his 2 year check he could put about 2 words together but very limited words. At the time HV referred us to speech and language therapy. We were seen by them and she gave me some activities to do with him and saw us few months later. When she saw us again his speech had come on so much. He is now 3 and doesn’t stop talking! Just to say I was really worried about him. But it’ll come just takes some children longer. Speaking to other moms seems to be boys that lag behind with it.

[Coralsapphire in reply to Lbel00]

Thank you! It’s nice to hear other parents worry too, I just feel useless at the moment. I’ll continue to keep encouraging him any way I can and hopefully see some progress soon..

I think I need to remember that not every child is the same, and it will come when it’s ready! I’m just finding it hard to not compare him to other children at the same age.

Thanks again!

[LHow81]

My son was hardly saying anything at that age either I was so worried he didn’t even say a variant of mummy or daddy! Skip a few months later and he’s telling me about hydro dynamics (Blaze and the monster machines thank you). All kids are different of course just try not to panic and keep an ear out he might be saying more than you’re catching. Good luck. X

[Coralsapphire in reply to LHow81]

Thank you! So reassuring to hear others have been through this to!