Well, he WAS language delayed...

[AFWife]

We have an appointment with a speech pathologist (and OT for something else) next week. We made the appointment 3 weeks ago. Well, 3 weeks ago DS1 was language delayed. Like, barely 20 words, mostly signs, not combining words...Since then he's doubled his vocabulary, uses words regularly, mimics when I ask "can you say...", and combines things. He's also dropped a lot of the signs as he learns the words for them.

Should I call and cancel the speech pathologist? I mean, I'd feel really silly to have them come out and be like, "Why am I here?" when they could be spending time with someone that needs it.

Talk about language explosion.

[crunchy_mommy]

I swear DS does this to me all the time -- I worry & worry about something for months and months and as soon as I finally call the doc or decide to take action, he suddenly starts doing whatever it is I was worried about. Last week I made an appointment with EI (for this week) and in just a little over a week he has made big strides in some of the areas I was concerned with!! But there are still enough issues that I am not going to cancel his appointment, and I'm hoping an evaluation will once & for all give us peace of mind (or a diagnosis or whatever).

So I'd lean toward keeping the appointment. Maybe he'll suddenly blossom over the next few weeks no matter what you do, & gain hundreds of words and start talking in sentences. Maybe this was just a little growth spurt and his language will level out, leaving him a bit behind still. Maybe he could just use the extra support in learning to communicate. Unless it's an issue of finances or something, I don't think it could hurt to have a little extra help!

If you're really uncertain, though, call the SP and ask their opinion, or push the appointment back a couple weeks to give you more time to see where he's headed.

[bobandjess99]

LOL.  My son did that to me.  He had TWO words one month before turning 2 years old.  I do developmental screening as an entry for First Steps in my state..i KNEW that he was delayed according to the tests.  But I also knew in my mommy gut that he was fine.  Which is really hardto listen to when all your training tells you *this kid should be in speech therapy!!!*.  And then.  A few days before turning 2.  He just...started talking.  Like...complete sentences. By 2 and a half, you would never have known that he was ever not advanced with language LOL.  

Silly kids. 

[Bokonon]

That exact same thing happened to me too!  Between the time I scheduled the evaluation and then the two meetings were completed, DS was completely average.  They said that happens a lot, especially at 3.

I'd probably keep the appointment anyway.  Couldn't hurt!

[treeoflife3]

Happened with me too although I hadn't gotten to making an appointment yet.  Kiddo wasn't talking except for like, mama.. and now she has MANY words at her disposal and also combines words and will repeat more of what I say.  I swear she is adding like three words a day now!  I think it must be really normal to just not talk much until 2 and to then suddenly take off because I hear about it happening a lot.

[AFWife]

I'm going to keep the appointment just to be sure...the OT will still be coming anyway...and it's free...so yeah, it's worth it not matter what.

:)

[Jenni1894]

I'd keep the appt also.  My older 2 were deleayed, my ODD severely delayed.    At 2 she had the speechof a 1 yr old.   they will eval him and see where he stands.  It possible there may be a slight delay of sorts and they can start EI right away.