23 Month Old Doesn't Speak Well

Helen,
I had a similar problem with my son (I have a special ed. background so I knew what to look out for) and I took him to a speach pathologist at about 20 months. Before doing an evaluation she suggested I take him to an audiologist to assess his hearing. After doing that and evaluating him, she suggested an ENT. He concluded that my son had enlarged anoids and eventually had them sugerically remove. After that his speech soared. So, really what I am saying is if you feel that you are concerned I would seek the advice of a speach path. who will be able to do a professional evaluation and give you advice as to what you could do at home to help or other professionals that could assist. Remember all kids are different so all comparing them will do eventually is drive you nuts.
Good luck,
K.

Until about age three most moms have to "translate" so others understand some of the words. She sounds pretty normal to me. The kids to worry about are the ones who only say 5 words by 23 months. Ennunciation comes a little later, but you can work on it with her by repeating words to her that she finds difficult. Also the parroting is a good thing. This means she's absorbing what you are saying and trying to learn and understand the words. Most kids around this age do this. 5 months is actually a big age gap between toddlers, just like it was with infants. Try not to compare your child with others(easier said than done)because all kids develop differently.

I know it can be difficult to not compare your child to another, but remember that every child is different. They all develop at their own rate. Have you addressed your concerns with your pediatrician? With my ped's agreement, I recently had my 18 month old assessed by Early Intervention thru Lake County to see if she qualified for speech therapy. She's only 22% delayed; 30% is the minimum required for EI. I feel much better now knowing what areas I need to focus on.

Good luck!!

NO WORRIES. She is fine. In five months you will see a big difference. At this age kids are very different and those five months makes a world of difference. Most children do not pronounce words perfectly until they are 4-5. At that age, usually in kindergarten is when if the pronunciation needs to be addressed with a speech teacher in school. The worst thing to do as a parent is to compare your children to others kids even their siblings. Each kid is different and are at different levels. You have to look at the continum of ability, only if there are extremes do you have to worry. You are not at that stage.

I would definitely get her ears checked. Two of my sons are about 22 months apart. Unfortunately, we didn't really catch anything with the older one until he was about 3 1/2 yrs. old when the younger one was more clear to understand, more words spoken then the older one. We went to an ENT and found out that he had extreme wax build up in his ears. He also had his tonsils and adenoids removed in second grade. He gets a hearing test done about once a year or every other year. I believe that because he has this wax issue he wasn't hearing phonics correctly and has trouble reading. He is in 6th grade now. He still has to have his ears cleaned out every 4 months. When we first found out he had to go every 2 months. So definitely get her ears checked. She is young enough, you can catch it early if that is the problem. Good luck

Hi Helene,been where you are but my daughter at the time was only saying a handful of words. If possible, first have her ears checked... my daughter had so much ear wax inbedded in her ear canal it delayed her speech and for that matter the ear wax thing wasn't caught until she was 4! After that I would have her screened. Early intervention is the best... I was apprehensive of the whole thing but my daughter is now doing great at 5!!

Like everyone else I would contact Early Intervention (it is sometimes known as birth to three program). Also maybe have her ears checked out. Just to make sure she is hearing ok. Start ruling out things. Also, at Northern IL Unviersity they have a speech and hearing clinic. They offer classes and studies, if you don't mind having your child in study. NIU might be far away for you, but check the unviersities and colleges around you. Obviously talk to your peds doctor as well for concerns. Group sessions (ie. speech groups w/lots of children the same age) has helped out. Once again look at hospitals or the colleges they offer some.

My 4 1/2 year old was speaking in droves at 22 months but didn't potty train until she was 3. My 23 month old doesn't speak in sentences but her comprehension is there. She is potty training and has other skills my other one didn't.

What I'm saying is that I believe children usually develop according to their needs. She may not think this stuff is really important right now but something else is.

I wouldn't worry too much yet but if it brings you peace-- have her evaluated.

She is probably just fine and going at her own pace. We jsut had our twins tested and it was helpful to know where they should be and some excercise we can do to improve. They are great. they can come right to your house for evaluation and therapy. Like others said it is called Early Intervention. Call Child and Family Connections 2300 Glenwood In Joliet the number is ###-###-####. The evaluation is free . Good Luck:)

If you have concerns, talk to your pediatrician. Or have her evaluated free through Early Intervention. There are other offices in which you could have her evaluated but it will cost as many insurances do not pay for this sort of thing. If you have a concern, it may be worth to check out just to ease any fears. Good luck.

My daughter is 26 months old and at 23 months (corrected age 21&1/2 months- EI uses corrected age until 2) had a 18 or so % delay(After they used the corrected age) and did not qualify for ST but did for OT. Your daughter is WAY ahead of even mine now! I made the mistake though of comparing my daughter to a friends daughter who is a month younger than mine. She talks full sentences and while it is not always clear you can make out her words with no problem.

My daughter can only sing weenawanda (ring around the) and oeoeoemoo moo mooo mooo mooo for Old McDonald. She counts to only 2 (but claps when we get to 5 or 10) and tries her ABCs but they are just sounds coming out while we say them to her. She claps at C. For thank you she says Nanu and signs it to us. She just started the Nanu this week. Please she signs and just started saying Pee for please. But she can say things like Dareitis (There it is) Googirbaby (good girl baby) and other common sentences we use. The only words that come out clearly are Baby, Mama and Dada. I am still not worried since the ST told us that as long as she is attempting the words even if they are not clear or pronounced correct they are making the sounds and it will all come together within a few - 6 months. So for 3 more months I will relax and continue to read and play with her interactive toys with her.

Remember that 5 months when they are this young can be a HUGE difference! That is like years of college! lol If you are really worried though definately contact your local Early Intervention office and have them do an evaluation. The eval is free and even if you do not qualify for services they will help you find ways to help your daughters speech along!

Good luck and blessings to you and yours!