Hi, I've just found this forum and really hope someone will be able to help.

My daughter is 26 months. In the past year she's said about 5 sentences, such as "What's under there" and "I don't want that". They've all been spoken very clearly. She's also said about half a dozen words. However it can be a couple of months before she says anything again and the words are just one off. She doesn't even say "mumma".

She understands everything. In fact I'd say her understanding is perhaps above average. She's a very happy, sociable little girl. She babbles away to her dolls, feeding them, changing them, rocking them to sleep etc. She cooks in her kitchen, makes noises with cars and so on. She loves looking at books and points things out.

To tell me what she wants she'll point or drag me over. If I ask her what she wants she just cries. The only thing she'll try and ask for is a biscuit but she'll say "muh" not even "buh" although I say the word and emphasise the "b".

We have quite lengthy conversations. She'll 'talk' to me, I'll respond, she'll talk some more, point to something or gesture. It's like a full conversation just in two different languages!

I know I shouldn't compare my children but my son spoke very well and very early - full conversations before the age of two. We're doing everything the same for our daughter so don't really understand why things are so different. Our son does speak for her but he's not always there.

The only other things I can think of are that she's concentrating on other things and speaking just isn't important or that maybe she's a bit shy. When she has spoken she kind of hides her head and smiles when she realises she's spoken. When we're at toddler group though she happily goes off and plays. When it comes to singing time though she won't sit on the carpet with the other children.

I've spoken to the health visitors twice. Her next check isn't until 2 years 8 months (used to be two years) although they said they'd see her at 2.6 if I'm still worried. They did say there's nothing to worry about though.

I've been reading It Takes Two to Talk. It's got lots of useful info but we're pretty much doing everything anyway. We just don't know how to get the words out of her! They're in there but we've hardly heard them. My husband's never heard her speak...

Any help or advice anyone can offer will be very welcome! Sorry for the long post:)

Hi Mary Lou,

Thanks so much for responding. The technique you mentioned is useful. We'll definitely be trying that from now on.

I've had a look at the Apraxia site, thanks. I'm not sure... She maybe has a few of the symptoms. We are considering paying for a private speech therapist, as we really don't want to wait another 4 months to be seen. Even if we can only afford one session, at least we will hopefully have a diagnosis. Perhaps the health visitor will be willing to see us sooner if we have a professional diagnosis.

Actually, today we started with some pictures to help her communicate. We started potty training this week. She does this with no problems indoors as she can just take herself to the potty, but we needed a picture for when we go out. I'll make up some more pictures for different things as well.

Thank you very much again for taking the time to reply. I'll post back and let you know how we get on!
Victoria

Hi Victoria,

I am so pleased you wrote again to give an update. I am also glad to hear that my suggestions assisted you to seek help for your daughter sooner than you were planning. Will therapy start soon?

You can anticipate a good outcome with apraxia of speech. It is important to begin intervention as early as possible; work with an SLT (UK) / SLP (US) who has knowledge, experience, and skill guiding children to produce speech sounds and words; and to practice consistently at home/throughout the day.

You are on a journey that should have a very good end. Knowledge will guide you.

Best wishes to you and your daughter!

Mary Lou

Edited by user Sunday, July 15, 2012 1:47:42 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified