Granddaughter doesn't talk yet

My DD 1 started to talk-words not sentences- at 9 months and three weeks .Not a stealth boast ,I honestly thought this was normal and was a bit worried when DD2 was about a year . ....It was the same with walking .
I used to write down at the end of each day every new word I'd heard but stopped when she was 18m as I couldn't keep up .I did same for DD2 It's interesting how different the word lists are
So I think if I had GC who wasn't talking at 2 yes I would be concerned .But if she does understand simple instructions etc then I would imagine she is fine She'll probably speak in whole sentences from the beginning

Definitely no need to worry. My first DD worried me as she seemed to understand everything but only spoke in isolated words. Soon after she turned 2 she began speaking in perfect sentences, almost completely skipping baby talk. My youngest with 'autistic tendencies' didn't put words together until she was four and talks for England now. She still has minor difficulties with relationships by the way but is a happy wife and mother of three gorgeous girls.

I respect what NemosMum says - though as many have said, its not necessarily a cause for concern. Just one thought - from the perspective of a psychologist - does she have a reason or need to talk? Is everyone anticipating her needs?If so, why should she bother to talk? And is she being given, for example, choices which give her a reason to communicate? (Would you like fish fingers or spaghetti?)
However, as has already been mentioned, I strongly suspect that one day, out of the blue, she will suddenly come out with ready formed phrases or sentences! The worst thing you can do is let her feel your anxiety.

Nemosmum is the expert and has given good guidance. As she says no harm on going on a waiting list. I think we offered a referred at the 2 year check if speech wasn't developing. Unfortunately most of the routine checks and drop in clinics have gone in the cuts.

Your grandchild should have had a hearing test by 6 weeks but there could be reasons why she is not hearing now.

The doctor in the 50's did have a point. Many parents anticipate what a child wants rather than waiting for them to try to say the word. E.g they are pointing at the drink cupboard, you get the drink down, offer them a drink. No need for them to say anything.

Einstein didn't talk until he was 3.
It didn't seem to hold him back!

One of our grandsons who has just turned 2 hardly said anything until his 2nd birthday. He seemed to make himself understood without the need to talk! He chatters away now - though we can't always understand what he says. He clearly understands everything that is said to him - which I think is more important. Some children just take a bit longer than others. One of my great-nieces had her own language until she was 4, when her parents decided she needed speech therapy. She is now in her final year at Oxford University!

20-odd years ago a young family moved next door, they had a 3-year-old and a 9-month-old. The older child was a really good talker but the younger one didn't talk until nearly 3 - then came out with fully formed sentences, proper talk not baby talk (and hasn't stopped since ....)

So as long as everything else is ok, I wouldn't worry.

Maybe she's a thinker and speaks when necessary. As you know each child progresses differently , you haven't said if her parents are concerned. I'd give it time before the ' expert's get involved.

All telling good stories with good outcomes but I am sure you were worried at one time.

Unfortunately sometimes help is needed and the sooner the better. No one should be discouraged from seeking professional guidance as soon as possible especially as waiting lists can be long. You can always cancel an appointment if a problem resolves itself.

Exactly. We took my DGS at 2.5 and he did need help not with speech as it turned out but with other issues. He had less than 50 words then and was not putting 2 words together. We are so glad we went for an early referral. There is nothing to be lost and much to be gained. A special bonus if there is nothing wrong which there probably isn't in your case.

My gd was gone three before she spoke and when she did it was completely out of the blue with whole sentences. It was as though she had decided to only speak when she had completely mastered it!

My daughter used about a dozen words by the time she was one, son didn't say anything until he was 2 1/2. Good advice given above, I don't think I would worry yet.

Sounds pretty normal to me, good advice above here on pre-language development. If she understands your spoken words then even better. A couple of pointers that may help. When conversing with her stop what you are doing and make sure you are at her eye level making interaction more equal whilst giving the message you have time and interest. (i know you have both, but it reinforces the message to the child.).

My second son spoke in sentences at 9 months old.My forth son didn't say anything until he was well over 2 years old.When he started I couldn't get him to keep quiet.If she clearly understands what you saying to her don't worry.They all do things in their own time.

Margsus - nothing to worry about at not yet two !!! Our two and a half year old grandson is just now speaking in phrases. Our three year old grandson has been fluent for about six months. Granddaughter, 7, started around two and a half as did grandson, 6 and both non-stop chatterboxes. My own son - now 41 and particularly articulate - needed speech therapy at age 5. I am sure this time next year you will be amazed at how much she IS saying.

My middle son couldn't talk properly until about 7, he was statemented and suggested special needs school but we persevered main stream with intensive speech therapy both before and during his early school years
It never held him back, he had lots of friends and was happy and extremely healthy
He was never academic but can make or fix anything
Still doesn't talk much ( apart from to me ) but he's such a delightful kind man
Just enjoy your beautiful granddaughter but if speech therapy is needed so be it, he always enjoyed his sessions, it was his own special time

I was a nursery teacher and I would say don't worry at all yet.
We often had children starting nursery not talking at 3 who improved dramatically over the year. With all the budget cuts many areas won't consider any form of speech therapy for a child so young.
If she is understanding I really would not worry. A hearing check is the only thing I would do at this point.

In my area the Speech Therapy service won't give an appointment unless hearing has been checked.
However, I most definitely agree that you don't need to particularly worry if a not quite 2 year old isn't using proper words yet. My suggestion would be for you and others to talk to her in a conversational pattern (and body language) and then pause. She may well respond in her baby talk, in which case this will show you she is picking up her conversation skills.

DGS aged just 6, spoke very early and could read 'fluently' by 3.5 and is exceedingly articulate. His 4.5 year old brother, who is definitely as bright as his big bro, didn't say anything intelligible and spoke total non stop gobbledygook until he was 4 is now having 5 minutes therapy a day in his reception class and has improved considerably. I reckon he doesn't have a chance with his older brother forever answering for him . Their Mum, who only talks when necessary, used to say all her words backwards - sow for house, saw for horse etc. but managed a 1st class Hons degree in the end . All children develop at their own pace. I wouldn't worry, she's only 2!

My eldest son didn't say anything---even Dada and Mama---until he was three. He obviously understood every thing that was said to him so I wasn't worried and I think he knew that I would anticipate his needs without him having to ask.At three , he started at playgroup and had to communicate his wishes, so suddenly started talking in complete sentences. He eventually went on to get a first at Cambridge!

My grandson is also 2 in May and doesn't really talk - a few odd words and also a lot of incoherent babble. Although the health visitor was not unduly concerned, she arranged for him to see the specialist. He was found to have glue ear, which is often a reason why children have more difficulty with speech He was also referred to the speech therapist and during a very relaxed meeting, she gave lots of tips to help him e.g. making a point of naming things very clearly in not more than one or two words. Although saying a few words at the same age, his brother did not really speak very much until 3yrs old. He is now 4 and his speech is so advanced that many people comment on this.

DD1's son was talking really well at age 2. DD2's first daughter was slow talking in comparison, but before long we were trying to find her 'off switch'. Her sister will be 2 in June and is also only saying a few words, but after our experience with her older sister we are not worrying. Her hearing is good and she understands what we say. They just reach different milestones at different times.

Elainel mentioned baby babble which is why I mentioned not having dummies during the day. It never ceases to amaze me how you can have a "conversation" with quite young babies and it's such fun to "goo goo and ga ga" at each in expressive tones while maintaining good eye contact?

No, I wouldn't worry. Lots of children bide their time with talking. My grandson couldn't be bothered to talk while he had his slightly older brother to do it for him. He's four now and talks quite happily when he chooses to. He thinks a lot, takes everything in then speaks when he has something to say. I wish more people were like him, lol.

My brother had his own language until he was four. By eight he was taking books from the library like 'Teach Yourself Serbo Croat' and went on to study several languages at university.

It's natural to worry about child development but important not to compare or pay absolute attention to 'what's normal' charts. Also, children hear everything and soon pick up on chit chat of adults around them which can have an affect on them.

I was a special needs teacher for my whole career, working with many pupils who had language difficulties alongside other problems. These children were generally picked up as having problems when they were at nursery or pre school.

Personally, I'd leave it a bit longer, meanwhile making sure that there's lots of opportunities for the child to interact with adults and other children.

My eldest son was 2 before he began to speak properly and then spoke in sentences. He is now an articulate, intelligent man so I wouldn't worry just yet. Give her time.