Language exercises

Daniel has always been "slower" at reaching all the milestones than most other kids his age. Like he didn't crawl properly til just before his 1st bday, didn't walk til 17 months etc so I'm sure that his talking is probably going to be the same but plunket are slightly worried about his language now.

I know that some plunket nurses suck but the one I saw I actually like, shes sensible and has given me advice in the past which I have actually respected. There is some language therapist that is going to be at the centre in about 6 weeks that she thinks I should go along to her chat and try and catch her afterwards to talk about Daniel but I wondered if anyone knows of anything I can do in the meantime to encourage his talking..

He has lots of single words but doesn't form sentences or pair words up except for a couple of things like red car.

He's figured out ways of getting around the lack of talking, like if he wants something he will come grab our hand and drag us to what he wants rather than saying the word, if he wants us he will come and grab us rather than saying come mummy or something like that. He tries to repeat some words that we say but if it seems a little odd or hard for him to say he says "aat" - which I still haven't figured out what this word actually means lol.

There is nothing wrong with his hearing at all so its not that.

I am interested in seeing the replies too, as my Daughter who is just over 2 year old, didn't move at all until 18 months, then bum shuffled, at about 20 months she started crawling, but mainly still shuffles as it's quicker and she can hold things in her hands at the same time. Has recently started cruising furniture and climbing, but is not walking unaided yet. She says alot of single words, but never two or more together. She has alot of 'made up' words too, that I recognise and respond too - not sure if maybe this is enabling a lazy approach to her speech...? Had her checked by a paed for the non walking thing, and she was x-rayed as well, and he says she is fine.

I am a SLT too I worked in early intervention until recently (so preschool age) but like flissty said it is impossible to give specific advice without first assessing your child.

My main suggestion would be if you have any concerns have him assessed. You can self refer by phoning Special Education - MOE. Because of the high demand on these services there is often a waiting list that's why i believe if you have any concerns you are best to get him on the waiting list as soon as possible. It maybe that by the time he gets seen the difficulties have resolved but at least you have the option to be seen if not.

To give you a VERY rough idea at around 18 months you expect children to have a vocab of around 50 words. This is the stage they typically start combining words to make short phases (such as the one you mention "red car"). Words are often unclear at this stage as there speech sounds are still developing so it may take you hearing the words and phases a few times before you actually click to what they're trying to say. Development 6 months either side of this is considered within the normal range.

To facilitate language development in children of this age I would generally recommend (and these are probably things you are already doing);

1. Keeping you language VERY simple when talking to him/her. If your child is using 1-2 word phases it is best to try and keep your sentences to 3-5 words. The child needs to comprehend the language before they will be able to use it so keeping your language very simple helps develop their comprehension.

2. Talk lots! talk about what they are doing and what you are doing. Repeat repeat repeat... they need to hear the words many times before they start using them.

3. When your child tries to communicate their wants and needs to you (i.e. by dragging you etc) give them the language they need (e.g. "biscuit, biscuit, you want biscuit, yummy biscuit")

4. You can try to set up situations in play where the child needs to make requests. Then help by providing the appropriate language. Praise any attempts... However, I would concentrate your efforts much more on giving your child language rather than trying to get them to say it as it can get too demanding for some children. So lots of No. 2 :-)

5. Expand your child's phases by repeating back and adding some information. For example if your child said "dog" you could say "yes, dog, big dog, hi big dog".

thanks for the info and the links ladies, I will try to read up at a slightly shorter date when I can concentrate on it a bit more.

Blair is a bit younger than your Daniel, but it sounds like he is in a similarish situation. He does have one 2 word sentence "what's that?" but has limited other words. DH apparently was a 'lazy' speaker and was late with his speech so thinks that B may be the same. Let us know how you get on

Thanks guys for the info. I'm trying to change a little in the way that I talk to him and even just doing it yesterday he picked up another couple of words. So I'll just keep trying those suggestions.

Yep babe in general boys are a little slower with language development. However, the norms are based on both males and females. It is impossible to tell without assessing a child if their limited language development is ok or not as there are so many variables that need to be considered. So despite the fact that all these kiddies sound similar there maybe factors which make one child's lack of language more of a concern than others IYGWIM... For example, a comprehensive assessment will normally examine; receptive language, speech sound production, oral motor movements, vocabulary, hearing, play skills, other areas of development (i.e. gross motor, fine motor skills, cognitive development), social development and so on. So delays in language could be attributable to many causes, yet two children could outwardly appear similar. I'm definitely not advocating everyone rush off and have an assessment but if it appears your child has little to no language at 2+ an assessment would be a good idea

Freckle I think I will contact a speech therapist sooner, rather than later.  I'd rather get on to it now while I can, instead of when baby is here (or closer to the time I'm due), and my time will be restricted.  Rico didn't have very clear speech til he was at least 3 1/2, but did say lot of words and was putting words together.  Jett just isn't saying many words all together!  And I am getting tired of hearing his lingo.  He's a social little boy and goes up to strangers and 'talks' to them.  Of course they just smile and say 'yes' back to him because they can't/don't understand a word of it.

Just thinking too Stacey, if you do put him in daycare for a couple of days, you might find that his language skills pick up dramatically then too. Charlotte has talked from 18 months which I attribute to daycare. But yay already for the extra words!

I once taught a boy who didn't say a single word until he was about 3. then one morning he said to his mother "Can I please have marmite toast for breakfast mum?" She just about fell over! He spoke in full sentences from then on!

Just a quick question for the SLTs
My son has just turned 2 two days ago. He has heaps of words and is starting to link two together like "mummys car" blue car, more please, etc. However some words he says the beginning of really clearly but omits the end sound. Would that be a speech language issue or an immaturity thing? For instance he will say do instead of dog. Some words are completely clear, others he omits the end sound. It seems to be a real struggle for him, like he often says has has has HAT!

Thanks for your help

I so know what you mean flissty - I'd be lost working with adults now!

SimoneF - as a child's language develops they use processes to simply the speech. There are many of these processes and they result in certain predictable sound changes and structural changes to the words. As their speech develops these processes slowly disappear. One common process observed in young children is called "final consonant deletion" - which sounds like what you are talking about. Typically this process has resolved by about 3 years of age. It is definitely not a concern at 2

Edited by freckle