My 2Yr Speech

My son was a bit delayed but speech took off around 26 months. However, because of some other issues (feeding/oral sensory) I did look into speech therapy (these therapist also work on feeding issues) and was directed to "EI" (Early Intervention - a federal program that each state runs on its own). You call them and they will send out therapists to evaluate your child in every aspect (for free!) and if more than 30% delayed in any one area (speech, developmental, etc) you qualify for services and the therapist comes right to your house. If your insurance doesn't pay, you pay a fee based on family income. The number to call is 1.800.323.GROW. Good luck!!

I am a speech therapist, but I'm currently not working. I worked mainly with 3 to 5 years olds when I was working, so I don't have much experience working with 2 year olds. However, I can give you some resources. First, there is the ASHA website, which has developmental information and ideas of activities to do with your daughter. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/23.htm

Next, there is the Early Intervention website.

http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=31183

Early intervention is a state program that you can access to get your child's speech and langauge (and other developmental areas) assessed and treated. If you want to have an evaluation done, go here first instead of going to a clinic, because you have already paid for the evaluation through your tax dollars. If there is a long waiting list, and you don't want to wait, then you might consider going to a clinic. I can't recommend any speech clinics, but I know there is SPOT 4 Kids in Oswego, Pediatric Speech & Language Services in Aurora & Naperville, and The Rainbow Center in Aurora.

If you are concerned, I would recommend having an evaluation completed. I have found that parents are often very keen about their children, so I think it's worth it for you to act now rather than wait and worry.

Hope that helps.

J. (mom of 15 month old)

Hi T.!
My son had the same issues at 2 years old. I asked for an evaluation thru Child and Family Connections of DuPage county -- you must have a division in your county. It is the Illinois early intervention program. A coordinator was assigned to us and Roland went thru a series of evaluations and a couple of different tests to gauge if just a normal delay or if there were issues with muscles, motor planning, etc. My son did have issues and failed all the tests. We had a speech therapist (thru the state) come to our home 2x weekly. In 8 months he was doing great. Then other issues merged -- sensory integration and he is on the autism spectrum. We have services now thru our school district who has an excellent early childhood preschool program.
Early intervention is key. Believe me, the state will not spend money on you unless there is a problem. I felt better having the experts figure it out.
Good luck!
S. in Lisle

Hi T....

Every child is different, and there's no telling if your daughter won't just start talking all at once. But I think you are right to be concerned. When my son started showing a few developmental delays, my pediatrician directed me to contact the state's Early Intervention program, which offers a free evaluation for any areas of development that you are concerned about...and you can even have the therapists come to your house for the evaluation. Then if your child is delayed enough in an area to qualify for services, they will help arrange therapists...the state helps your insurance pay for the services as well. It's pretty great. A free evaluation just to give you peace of mind was really helpful for us. Also, a lot of the therapists will come right to your house for treatments too which is great.

Here's the website that will help you locate the Early Intervention office closest to you. We are in Will County, not sure if you are Will County or Dupage.

http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?module=12

Hope this helps!
- S.

I suggest that you wait it out until she reaches age 3. I had the same concern with my 3yr old son when he was 2, but now he is doing a lot better. His speech is still not perfect, but in time I believe that his speech will improve. I also did a lot of praying, and it worked. Hang in there, it will come.

God bless,
A concerned mother

T....My son at age 2 started going to AID on Highland in Aurora for speech. It is right across from Mercy. They are really nice there and know what they are doing. My insurance didnt cover it but what they did was go by my husband and I's inscome and then we paid a monthly fee to them which wasnt much at all...and then when he turned 3 he started going thru the school dist...Give them a call over there...Good Luck....K.

Hi T.,

Try not to worry too much about the development of your child's speech patterns at this point; she is very young still, and as long as her other developmental milestones are on track, she's doing just fine. Many kids don't have full speech pattern development well into early toddlerhood and even through Kindergarten for some. Check with your Ped. about any concerns you have, and locally, when she's preschool age, you can have a free screening done through the county (usually at our local schools or other public places) that are convenient, really helpful (they will assess many areas, including speech and hearing, etc. Hang in there and try not to compare your two children ... kids are truly very different from one another. Take care.

Call your local Early Intervention program. They will do a complete free evaluation. She may have issues and then again she may just be a late bloomer but it doesn't hurt to check it out. If she needs Speech Therapy they will come to the house. In the meantime here are some questions to think about. How many words does she have in her vocabulary. How does she indicate her needs and wants. Does she throw fits, make gestures, take your hand and show you or can she express it verbally. These are some of the questions they will be asking you. Good Luck.

I have almost 4 year old twins my daughter talks fine but my son has issues. I had them evaluated by my school district at three (call your local early learning center thru your school district) which is a free service. They not only evaluate speech but motor skills, interaction with other children, hearing, vision. They felt my son needed speech therapy and he has been receiving FREE speech therapy thru the school district once a week for almost 6 months. It's really helped. You can always check with your doctor fisrt which is what I did and they told me to go thru the school district.

Good Luck!!
K. - Single mother of twins who works full-time!!