Hi all

My 26 month old (today) DS hardly says any clear words. He babbles all the time and has a few words that me and DH can understand but not many. He is a bright, affectionate boy who loves playing with his friends and at toddler groups. He goes to a childminder 1 day a week and mixes with other toddlers.

He was slow to walk (19m) and that worried me alot but now he hardly says anything clearly that really concerns me. I spoke with the HV this morning who has told us to go to a drop in speech and language assessment clinic who will then talk to us and refer him on for sp therapy if necessary. I can't help that worry that there is something else wrong. He has been diagnosed with glue ear back in May and we return for another hearing test next week. Could it be just thats holding him back?

Hello. It sounds like you've taken exactly the right steps to find out if there is a problem. Certainly if he is having any hearing difficulties that can affect his speech and needs to be addressed first. Speech therapy would help him catch up and as there is quite a waiting list it's good to get onto it ASAP. My sister is a SALT and recommended this site for further info

http://www.ican.org.uk/TalkingPoint/Home.aspx

HTH Jen xx

Hi Jen

That's brilliant thanks! Just had a quick look and I'd say Oscar has the speech development of a 12-18 month old at 26 months.

I've had all sorts of irrational thoughts whizzing through my mind about what is 'wrong' with him :(

i know someone who didnt speak any clear words at all at 3 years old, within 3 months of starting nursery she was speaking a lot more and now is a perfectly chattering little girl at 5, kids dvelop at different rates, is he very active/physical he could just be focusing on his physical development and speech will come later, its not as unusual as you think, im sure he is fine and will wake up one day chattering and youl wonder why you were worried

ali x