delayed speech in toddler?

[mumum]

Our 21 month old child hardly speaks, and doesn?t seem interested in repeating words or language. She "is" bilingual in theory. Our older child is bilingual and was speaking a lot more at this age.

What are the best local classes to do for speech development and has anyone got experience with local speech therapy? And bilingual speech development? I don?t think the bilingualism is really the problem though, I have heard it is a myth that bilingual children have slower speech development. Just wondering if I can do some more things to help her. Any tips greatly appreciated.

[Fuschia]

There is a self referral speech clinic/group at sunshine house I think

[echo]

You have a gut feeling her speech is not quite right, so Fuschia's idea to speak to a professional is the best. There seems to be (still) a lot of provision for speech language support in Southwark. Also your GP/health visitor should know more about local services.

There was a drop-in 'speech play group' run for toddlers at the Magdna Pub on lordship lane? Just googled and 'talking Tots' came up, but there was defiantly another one. Maybe worth thinking about?

[Saffron]

Are you signing with her? Sign language greatly helps language development. Also, ask to have your 2-year check from the HV early, she is nearly two anyway. The HV can help you determine if there is a problem and/or give you more information on language support.

I hadn't heard that slower speech development in bilingual children might be a myth. (Wouldn't be surprised if it's an over-generalisation, though.) My personal experience of bilingual children has been that they are slower to develop their vocabulary, although they do understand what is being said to them and are interested in repeating new words. Each child is different of course. You might need some specialist advice, so be sure to tell your HV that your child is bilingual.

[Lochie]

We had similar concerns at that age with our son he seemed way behind others and I in particular was very worried.

There is (or was about 10 months ago) a speech and language therapy drop in session at the Crawford's Childrens' Centre which is just behind Kings. The therapist we saw was really helpful and also allayed the guilt I felt about the fact I hadn't weaned him off the baby bottle (and still haven't at 2.5 years old agggh!). She was really positive and said although his speech was slow he showed other signs he was developing ok. Also they can't really do a formal assessment at such a young age I think you have to wait til 3?? If you are concerned I would definitely push to see a SLT and not just make do with a Health Visitor assessment as the HV said alot of different (and wrong) things from the SLT (who obviously know their stuff - though perhaps I was just unlucky enough to see a rogue HV!).

Just to reassure you my son is now 2.5 years old and can talk my ear off - there really was a speech 'explosion' about 3 months after he turned 2 (this coincided also with him attending nursery which I think really helped)

Good luck

[Lochie]

Also one other tip the SLT said was to do with when you look at books together. e.g. if you are looking at a picture of a ball and want your child to say ball don't say 'what's that' say instead 'this is a??....(pause)' and hopefully the child will make an attempt to answer. I think this style helps to take the pressure off the child as I really was constantly saying to my son 'what's that, what's that' at every book we read in order to try and get him to speak and I think it just stressed me and him out!

[Norfolkvillas]

My son is just coming up to two and a half and I feel like we've only just hit the 'speech explosion' stage. I got some informal advice from a friend of a friend who is a SLT a while back, and haven't sought further help after reading reassuring posts from others on the forum who are at the same stage / age. Am interested in your comment about bottles Lochie - I would never before have made any association between bottles and delayed speech, but my son still has 3 bottles a day.... hmmm....

[EmilyE]

I hadn't heard that the slow bi-lingual language acquisition was a myth. My daughter was bilingual and spoke very late. She certainly wasn't saying anything much at 21 months, but by 3 or so was entirely in line with her age.

Clearly though, if you're worried there's no harm in getting someone to check it out.

There are drop in sessions at loads of places. I found this on the Southwark Parent carers site:

For parents and parent carers of younger children, who would like some speech and language advice, please note that a Speech and Language Therapist will be available at the following drop-ins - to find out about days and times: Tel: 020 3049 8097 or go to: www.southwarkpct.nhs.uk

[Saffron]

Norfolkvillas Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Am interested in your

> comment about bottles Lochie - I would never

> before have made any association between bottles

> and delayed speech, but my son still has 3 bottles

> a day.... hmmm....

My nearly 2.5 yo still has bottles, but we have never let her talk with a bottle in her mouth. Her speech and vocabulary are fine. Could that have something to do with it? Not sure. Otherwise, I can't see how bottles would affect speech.

[VanessaPMR]

I was brought up bilingual, and have many adult friends who were too. Some children take to bilingualism very easily others dont. A fairly large portion of my adult friends who were brought up bilingual don't speak the 'second' language at all now and also resent having had the additional pressure as children of having to say everything twice in two different languages... Or always being bad at communicating in one of the two languages.

I am not for a second suggesting that that is what is happening here, just wanted to note that I have heard of many instances of toddlers and older children resisting the acquisition of a second language. Especially if it is frustrating their ability to communicate.

We have three languages in our family and my daughter has a very clear preference for English (she is 23 months old and refuses to watch cartoons in the other languages for instance.. ) I am currently trying to find the balance between keeping communication channels open and encouraging her to speak/learn another language she seems to finds tedious...

[Lochie]

Re: bottles - the HV (at Townley Road!) told me if I went to see the SLT the first thing they would do is tell me off for still letting him have a bottle (he still has 3 a day too!). I think she said it was something to do with the pallet and it affecting speech if there is a delay, or if they attempt to speak with bottle in mouth it can impair speech dev.

However the SLT said as long as they can drink from an open cup then having bottles isn't a problem with speech so no need to worry - sorry to alarm anyone who still has big toddlers on bottles like me!

[nikki73]

My daughter is being raised with 3 languages, although she mostly hears/ is spoken to in 2. I had concerns about her speech development at roughly the same age. I wasnt overly worried as she seemed to undestand most of what was being said to her. my main worry was that she seemed to confuse basic words like mummy/daddy. Her bilingual friends all were/are more advanced than her. She was referred to the SLT at her 2 year check because of confusing concepts/words. The waiting list is long and she has only just been assessed however i am not sure they can or do assess earlier than 2.5, which she now is. the SLT i saw said that bilingual kids tend to speak 6 months later. My daughter recently started making progress, i'd say from about 27 months. Now at 30 months she is also starting to say the odd word in her second language. She is still behind other children and 2 year old children often speak better than her but I am confident she'll get there in her own time. All this just to say that your child being bilingual may very well be slowing things down and she might learn it all very quickly a bit later. I'd definitely ask for a referral just to get in the queue although I suspect that a gp might think 21 months a bit young for that. i think the drop in sessions are a great idea and should put your mind at ease.

[Saffron]

I found this article interesting... http://www.caslpa.ca/english/resources/database/files/1997_JSLPA_Vol_21/No_04_229-312/Nicoladis_Genesse_JSLPA_1997.pdf

[Readey]

Sunshine house can give you details of local drop in sessions to discuss concerns with a SLT. And, as someone else said there is also a self referral form they can email you. There is about a 3 month wait for assessment, but everyone is very helpful.

Good luck with it.

[Pugwash]

How is her hearing?. Eldest grandson, now almost 18 did not speak until almost three and was then diagnosed with speech delay. Unlike all the other grandchildren, he did not 'babble' as a baby being almost silent.Babble is seen as the beginnings of the formation of words and speech should naturally follow. His mother was advised that she should speak to him and encourage him through reading books together to say words, singing nursery rhymes. By the time he was 5 he had near normal speech and language.

Hubby is bilingual, and did not speak until 2 years old, and when he did spoke in sentences and in Polish.

This was followed by English ( his main language). Medics came to the conclusion that as an only child, his parents

anticipated his every need and he was too lazy to speak but was absorbing and understanding the Polish his father

spoke to friends and on the phone, with his mother's english.

[mumum]

Thanks for all the posts, especially the article was interesting and also concluded bi-lingual children don't necessarily speak later, they may even speak earlier! But that there is a limit to how much vocabulary they can store in their head.

I am going to do sing and sign with her and have her assessed. I think she struggles mostly with pronunciation, seems to roll up her tongue an awful lot! Also will start talking to her more...have been too busy screaming at my 4-year old...

[Saffron]

Try having a "word for the week" each week, maybe? Learn a sign to go with it. Your 4 yo can also participate and encourage your younger child. Don't know how much it will help, but it might be a fun distraction! xx

[mumum]

Thank you, yes that is a good idea! My 4 year old was actually in stitches with a friend trying to make the little one name different things. I think I have been too focused on my older child, as she started school and didn't realize my little one was suddenlly old enough to talk. The bilingual thing shouldn't slow her speech as such or disencourage her interest in naming the world around her, but I realize that it is not without some problems. I am expecting to say a word in my language and for her to repeat it in English, this is what my 4 year old used to do...so no wonder she is confused! I am confused! I am bilingual myself so couldn't imagine things different though.

Thanks again for all the posts, we have so many things to start doing.

[GCOakley]

I had exactly this issue with both kids, bilingual. took them to doctor and speech therapist, both said just to wait, too early to see if a problem etc. didn't believe them so took them somewhere else, who said exactly the same thing. conclusion - don't worry about it too much, just keep an eye on it. and relax - you don't want to pass on any worries about speech to little ones.