OT - My Own DD (Speech)

[Hunni Bee]

So my DD is 2.3 now. Some of you know she was 2 months premature, but at 2 they stop adjusting their ages because they are assumed to be caught up...she is still only in the 5-10th percentile for height, but she's pretty average weight and has hit her milestones pretty consistently, if a month or two late.

Her speech is kind of worrying me a bit. A good 60% of her speech is still incomprehensible babble with an occasional real word thrown in. She can sing multiple songs correctly, and she can say many words. But she doesn't use language in a useful way to me. For example, she almost never asks for or requests anything. Milk, food, toys, nothing. She just goes without or cries until I figure it out. If she sees something she wants, she just reaches for it and grunts or cries. She CAN say "eat, cup, potty, outside" but only repeats it after an adult says it. She rarely refers to things by their names (ball, car, apple) but she knows their names. She doesn't call me Mommy, she doesn't call me anything but she KNOWS my name is Mommy.

BUT...she can recognize and name all 26 letters and her name, she can count to 30 independently, she knows all her colors, she knows where EVERYthing goes, she can dress and feed herself. She was using the potty for pee and poo AND telling people when she had to go until she suddenly stopped about 3 months ago.

Should I chill, or start looking into it?

[daycare]

Sounds like she's mastering lots of other things right now.

I wouldn't worry so much. Before you know it she's going to be talking your ear off and you will be saying shhhh go play. Lol

[childcaremom]

I agree with above. As a mom of a preemie, I always have a tickle of worry at the back of my mind, though.

My daughter was born at 29 wks. She is now almost 10 so take my memories with a grain of salt.

I had similar concerns with language. Except my dd hardly said anything. She was so quiet. Hardly cried. Didn't really babble. Until she did. I can't remember when her talking really took off but once it did, it did.

Have you chatted with your doctor? Do you have a specialist that is following her? If you have concerns, I would chat with them. She seems to have a TON of vocabulary. I would emphasize that your concern is that she is not using it correctly. If nothing else, they will be able to put your mind at ease. :hug:

[spedmommy4]

If your little one had not been a preemie, I would probably take a wait and see approach. Preemies should be followed a little more closely , as sometimes developmental delays don't appear until the toddler years. If you are concerned, go with your gut. Contact your local early intervention agency and request a free evaluation. To find them, Google - Early Intervention +your city/state

Here is some information on speech milestones

http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/communication/not_talk.html

[Rachel]

I know this is an old thread, but I have 4 out of 5 with speech delay. All of them were in various programs in preschool, and they are all thriving now in regular school and doing great (one has some LDs, 2 are perfectly "normal" whatever that means, and one is only 3 so we'll see but I'm sure he'll do just fine in regular school like his big siblings when the time comes). If you are concerned, I would call early intervention and see about getting an evaluation. I don't know how exactly it works in the US, except that you have a lot of rights (espcially before 3 I think they even come to the house). Speech therapy is fun and kids love it. Really, you ahve nothing to lose by starting the paperwork and seeing if anything comes of it.

Good luck!

[Ariana]

I had my DD looked at by a speech pathologist at 18 months and it was the best decision I ever made. She was talking in complete sentences by the time she was 2 and had a major word explosion at 20 months so in hindesight it wasn't necessary but it helped ease my worries because the SP assured me there were no real issues she was just a little delayed which can be totally normal for some kids.

[Leigh]

So my DD is 2.3 now. Some of you know she was 2 months premature, but at 2 they stop adjusting their ages because they are assumed to be caught up...she is still only in the 5-10th percentile for height, but she's pretty average weight and has hit her milestones pretty consistently, if a month or two late.

Her speech is kind of worrying me a bit. A good 60% of her speech is still incomprehensible babble with an occasional real word thrown in. She can sing multiple songs correctly, and she can say many words. But she doesn't use language in a useful way to me. For example, she almost never asks for or requests anything. Milk, food, toys, nothing. She just goes without or cries until I figure it out. If she sees something she wants, she just reaches for it and grunts or cries. She CAN say "eat, cup, potty, outside" but only repeats it after an adult says it. She rarely refers to things by their names (ball, car, apple) but she knows their names. She doesn't call me Mommy, she doesn't call me anything but she KNOWS my name is Mommy.

BUT...she can recognize and name all 26 letters and her name, she can count to 30 independently, she knows all her colors, she knows where EVERYthing goes, she can dress and feed herself. She was using the potty for pee and poo AND telling people when she had to go until she suddenly stopped about 3 months ago.

Should I chill, or start looking into it?

I was told that if everyone can not understand a child's speech by age 3.5, it's time for an evaluation. I have a 2 yo foster child who I have been worried about because my own son was speaking clearly in sentences by 18 months (and using big words!). Anyway, since you ARE concerned, I suggest contacting your local birth-3 office and asking for an eval. They're SUPER to work with here!