Toddler Language Development

I think she's fine. My son took forever to talk (he probably only had a couple of words at your daughter's age), but he is 27 months now and he talks up a storm and most people can understand him now. His speech has changed so much, even in just the past month, it's incredible. He also walked at 9 months old, so his doctor told me to be prepared that he would likely start talking later. I would say if she isn't talking much better by around 2 1/2, then I would have her evaluated, but she isn't even 2 yet, I would give her some more time. It's hard not to compare your kids. My daughter (older sister) was also talking in complete sentences and understood by everyone at 17 months old, so it was tough to wait it out for my son to "keep up", but they are such different kids that comparing them is just nonsense. My vote is that she'll get there with more time!

As the youngest, part of the issue could be that people talk for her (older siblings are notorious for that), so be sure that you are making her ask for what she wants and repeat it back to her so that she can hear you say the words too. This may help her articulate better. Good luck!

She sounds totally on target to me. I would guess, at some point soon, it will all come out clear and everyone will know what she is saying. It sounds like she is almost there. She sounds adorable. :)
S.

Just keep repeating the words clearly to her. She should pick it up. So much happens between 24-28 months. If she isn't talking more clearly by 28mo, then I'd seek help.

Therapist will work with flash cards and word pronunciation. Try working with her and bring it up to her PED. Hopefully the PED can assist you with finding a good speech therapist.

If you're worried, you might think about talking to your doctor. My younger son had some difficulty with speech, and it turned out that he needed tubes in his ears. We noticed the difference within hours of the surgery. He was progressing with his speech on the basis of what he was hearing, but he wasn't hearing well.

The doctor might be able to direct you in the next step if the ears are fine.

The issue here is intelegiblity and frustration. I would do a few things. First, make an appointment with a speech and langague pathologist, which will usually be covered by insurance, and also have hear hearing checked, which surely will be. Then, contact ECI in your state and get the free assessment. Don't wait for the free one, but take any therapy they will give you as a bonus, but generally, you will need more than the state will provide, and you arleady have enought reason to get a private evaluation. If she is not particiapting in the give and take of lagngue with the langague she understands and is trying to use unsucessfully, it will impact her langague development, and could eventually impact her cognative development. It will certainly cause behavioral concens as she becomes more and more frustrated with speech.

It really does not matter if she is making the milestones for the number of words a 22 month old should have. If her langague development (receptive speech) and her speech development (expressive speech) are so vastly different, that in and of itself, is a problem that requires therapy.

Good luck!
M.