Hi OP. Generally, I would not worry about it too much at this stage. Your child is not yet two so he has some time. I would, however, figure out how to apply for EI in your area and get on the list. Sometimes waitlists for this stuff can be long so getting on the list now will be good if he does need EI later. Also, actually doing something about this may help with the not worrying so much part.

FWIW, my son did not speak much until he was 2 and a month. Then he just took off.

So some watchful waiting and some EI prep work might help your worrying. Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you people nuts? The kid is just at age 2. My son was having some issues with speech, spent a zillion dollars on therapy for a year. Stopped because it just seemed a waste. Now at age 4 he's fine. Believe me 2 is young. Unless there's dramatic issues - I mean obvious - a 2-6 month delay is not a big deal. My 2 yr old did not speak in phrases either. Now nearing 28 months she is beginning to do so. The other thing is to consider whether there are other languages spoken. The experts suggest it does not impact but my experience with my own kids and other bilingual families is it does.

When you're 2 years old, 6 months is a BIG DEAL. Also, please do not spread incorrect information--bilingualism does NOT cause speech delay.

I'm so glad you're kid caught up, but realize some of us start speech at 18 months or 2 years, and are still in speech years later because our children are delayed. You can't tell at 2, if a child will catch up in a few months or not so early intervention is essential.

+1

This was my kid at 2. He didn't start stringing two words together until closer to 2y4m-2.5. He's absolutely fine. By 2 3/4, he was the chattiest toddler you'd ever meet. When it clicked, it clicked.

Anonymous wrote:Are you people nuts? The kid is just at age 2. My son was having some issues with speech, spent a zillion dollars on therapy for a year. Stopped because it just seemed a waste. Now at age 4 he's fine. Believe me 2 is young. Unless there's dramatic issues - I mean obvious - a 2-6 month delay is not a big deal. My 2 yr old did not speak in phrases either. Now nearing 28 months she is beginning to do so. The other thing is to consider whether there are other languages spoken. The experts suggest it does not impact but my experience with my own kids and other bilingual families is it does.

When you're 2 years old, 6 months is a BIG DEAL. Also, please do not spread incorrect information--bilingualism does NOT cause speech delay.

I'm so glad you're kid caught up, but realize some of us start speech at 18 months or 2 years, and are still in speech years later because our children are delayed. You can't tell at 2, if a child will catch up in a few months or not so early intervention is essential.

Are you people nuts? The kid is just at age 2. My son was having some issues with speech, spent a zillion dollars on therapy for a year. Stopped because it just seemed a waste. Now at age 4 he's fine. Believe me 2 is young. Unless there's dramatic issues - I mean obvious - a 2-6 month delay is not a big deal. My 2 yr old did not speak in phrases either. Now nearing 28 months she is beginning to do so. The other thing is to consider whether there are other languages spoken. The experts suggest it does not impact but my experience with my own kids and other bilingual families is it does.

Anonymous wrote:I actually had a phone consult with a speech therapist who said that if his receptive language is perfect, and if he has that many vocabulary words and no other delays (his motor skills etc. have always actually been ahead), he would never qualify for EI. not doing phrases at this age isnt technically behind. so question would be whether to pursue private speech therapy but I DOUBT he'd qualify for early intervention

Was this ST from EI? Milestones are somewhat fluid, but if he sill isn't making progress in this area after he turns 2, I would still call early intervention. He doesn't have to have a receptive delay and can still get services for an expressive delay.

new PP here: I have a 21mo old and now im paranoid shes behind.
She says a lot of words but doesnt say any words together.
sigh............

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried modeling phrases for him or encouraging him to use them? My son was alot like that, but around he would come up to me and hand me a book and say "Read". And I'd respond, "who do you want to read the book?" When he said "mommy" I'd respond "Ok, can you say Mommy read?" DS caught on pretty quick, but I'm not sure when he would have done it if we hadn't started to insist a bit.

Bad advice. Trying to get your kid to repeat stuff is not effective. Read "It Takes Two To Talk". It's completely worth it (it's expensive) and very useful in working out ways to play/talk with your child that will encourage communication, But saying "can you say..." is not helpful. That said, he's not behind yet. Goal is to be combining words BY two. My oldest didn't until a few months after he turned two. He's an exceptionally smart kid (taught himself to read at three, for example), so I figure if he didn't combine until past 2, I won't worry about my younger kid (who is 22 months and not combining).

I'm sure there are different schools of thought. My son's speech therapy teacher DOES ask ds to say things. For example when she asks him to point to the dog in the book, and he points to the dog, she says "say 'there it is!'" or when he points to a box of cars and says "more cars" she says "can you say 'I want cars please!'" She's not necessarily looking for him to repeat word for word; she's trying to teach him to string more words together. If he doesn't respond she moves on and it's not the only technique she uses. PP, what does this book suggest?

That's different from just demanding that he say words. Many of the techniques (and this book is widely recommended by speech therapists) are all about listening to your kid and encouraging communication. So when your kid points and says "car" you don't say "can you say yellow car? what about the wheels, say wheels." you say "yes, there's a car, broom, broom, red car racing around" then you stop watch your kid react and listen and wait for a response (verbal or not) and follow his interests. You are teaching them how to communicate/have a conversation as much as to physically say words. So if your kid says, "more" adding the extra words to help him clarify e.g. by asking "more milk?" and waiting for him to respond is great - demanding "say more milk" not so much. Hope that makes sense.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried modeling phrases for him or encouraging him to use them? My son was alot like that, but around he would come up to me and hand me a book and say "Read". And I'd respond, "who do you want to read the book?" When he said "mommy" I'd respond "Ok, can you say Mommy read?" DS caught on pretty quick, but I'm not sure when he would have done it if we hadn't started to insist a bit.

Bad advice. Trying to get your kid to repeat stuff is not effective. Read "It Takes Two To Talk". It's completely worth it (it's expensive) and very useful in working out ways to play/talk with your child that will encourage communication, But saying "can you say..." is not helpful. That said, he's not behind yet. Goal is to be combining words BY two. My oldest didn't until a few months after he turned two. He's an exceptionally smart kid (taught himself to read at three, for example), so I figure if he didn't combine until past 2, I won't worry about my younger kid (who is 22 months and not combining).

I'm sure there are different schools of thought. My son's speech therapy teacher DOES ask ds to say things. For example when she asks him to point to the dog in the book, and he points to the dog, she says "say 'there it is!'" or when he points to a box of cars and says "more cars" she says "can you say 'I want cars please!'" She's not necessarily looking for him to repeat word for word; she's trying to teach him to string more words together. If he doesn't respond she moves on and it's not the only technique she uses. PP, what does this book suggest?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:havent seen ped since 18 month checkup. at 18 months, they said it was a 2 year milestone but we're coming up on 2 years

Okay, then wait for the appointment. IF, and that's a big IF, there is a speech problem, early intervention really can make a difference. And you'll get him what he needs. Until then, step away from the internet and enjoy your child.

YES! My son was evaluated at 18 months and had a speech delay, and is in speech therapy. He's 25 months old now, and in the past 2 months, it has really taken off. He's gone from 2-word phrases to 4-word sentences very quickly. But I completely agree that you should not bother yourself with worry about this. It's good you're paying attention so you can answer your doctor's questions and explain your concerns. But like PP said, until you talk to the doc, don't worry. Oh, and even if he does have a delay, don't worry, speech therapy can do wonders.

Stop worrying. He'll be fine.