Premmie toddler and speech

[stepmum]

Oliver was born at 32 weeks and ever since has done fabulously. He's met most of his milestones a bit later than most (e.g He only started walking within the last 6 weeks or so) but he has got there so for that I'm thankful.

One thing that has me slightly concerned though is his speech. He still mostly babbles and he has only has maybe 3 or 4 words in his vocabulary (not including mama/dada). He has said a few more previously but it's like he's forgotten them and we never hear them again. He also seems to use the word "car" to describe everything, like he uses that word continuously all day and maybe one of his other words will pop up once throughout the day ..at first I'd roll my eyes and think it's quite cute him repeating "car" but recently he's getting very upset when I'm trying to correct him and tell him the right word. He's getting so frustrated.

I am reading to him/with him and I talk and describe stuff constantly throughout the day.

I have no idea if this is some sort of delay relating to his prematurity.

Honest opinion, would you get him referred? He'll be 20 months actual in 2 weeks x

 

[AP]

Referrals for speech therapy happen at about 2-2.5yrs here.

Can't really help much more on the actual speech front, we only have 2 words and a few noises

On another note our term baby is 22 months and has one word, but I don't worry yet.

I would say to speak to your health visitor or care team who could decide

 

[lozzy21]

I would ring your HV and ask her to come out and see, it might be early but if there are some issues its better to get the ball rolling.

 

[Foogirl]

19 months is too early to be worrying. The only tip I'd give is, make sure your giving him a chance to talk for himself. It is easy to fall in to the trap of speaking for them, without realising you are doing it. Also, when you are giving choices, try and avoid yes or no answers they can nod or shake for or things they can point to. So, do you want an apple or a banana, do you want the red block or the green one, that sort of thing. And listen well. We had a super early talker and were always listening to Abby to discern words from babble. A few times I've had friends with toddlers who seem to actually dismiss sounds as babbles when they are good attempts at words.

 

[Agiboma]

Your son seems to be doing fine to me, every child especially preemies do things at their own time

 

[sethsmummy]

I wouldnt worry yet hun. My son was full term and they only just started being concerned about his speech at 18 months.. and then more so at 2 years old. hes now 3 and still not talking much.

Although if you speak to health visitor they should be able to put your mind at ease or if you really want to get things rolling they could refer you to speech therapy.. i dont find its helping my son.. hes been involved in it since 2 and has only seen the woman 3 times.. shes been no help what so ever but hopefully you'd get a better one than that

xxxx

 

[chockie]

Hi, might be a bit late to reply but my son was born at 35 weeks he is two next month and has just a few words, i'm feeling paranoid because he had a strep B infection that can cause learning difficulties amongst other things. my health visitor says as long as his hearing is ok, which it is, there is nothing more to be done at this stage because speech development varies so much. Does anyone else have any strep B advise as to ongoing issues?