How Can I Improve My 2Yo Dd's Speech?

My daughter is dealing with the same issues. She qualified for the early intervention speech therapy but the learning center that northbay regional center contracts with doesn't have room for her for 'at this time.' it's been so frustrating playing the waiting game . I finally went around to the local preschools and found one that seemed like a good match for her. I put her in 4 hrs a day 2 days a week. Within a week she was blossuming! I thought I was doing all the right things, but I guess what she really needed was that formal learning group with other kids. I felt defeated and seriously cried dropping her off the first day. She loved it! The tantrums are so much better and she is a completely different child now. I don't know your situation but if you can afford it I'd give your child the opportunity to step into a real preschool program. I was doubtful but desperate. If it doesn't work out you can always pull them out. Like I said preschool has been the best thing that ever happened. Her teacher told me often she's gotten kids like mine and they bloom in school because they are excited and want to communicate with the other kids.

Your daughter is doing as best as she can. She can also be taught sign language for the things she can not pronounce. We taught out kids , drink, more, eat, ..just a few. This helped our kids so they would not get frustrated and they had the ability to make the sign. They would say the word and make the sign. If They did not say the word in a manner I understood I could understand the sign. We had very few tantrums. Having her eat foods that require he tongue to move food around in her mouth also develops her tongue. If they are eating to many soft foods her tongue does not get coordinated to make specific sounds. Also if it makes you feel any better some kids that don't speak until a bit later a frequently extremely intelligent.

she sounds JUST like my daughter. we started my daughter in speech in august of 11 and she bloomed as far as speech goes. going from maybe 20 words to around 100. we are taking the summer off and are supposed to go back at the end of next month and i am not sure if we will or not. but what i am saying is look at your insurance and see if they cover speech therapy, and if not apply for your states madicade program for her. they cover speech 100% and it WILL HELP HER.

The sign for potty or even a close approximation of it, usually works wonders, I'm really puzzled why she won't do that. bet you are too.

I was going to suggest giving her liquids with a straw that is very thin so she has to work her mouth muscles to sip, not to the point of frustsration but instead of a mcdonalds milkshake straw, try a twisty straw those are usually smaller, and if she does well step it down to a swizle stick staw.

the therapist can give you more advice on excercises for her touge if that happens to be the issue.

I assume you have had her hearing checked too as that goes hand in hand.

does she like singing Itsy bitsy spider, baa baa black sheep, where is thumpkin? lots of fun finger plays, that might make it fun to mimic you, as opposed to being more of a chore for her.

I feel she is very young and may all of a sudden get it with out help, BUT i am a huge proponent of EArly intervention and would take it in a minute if it were offered. And pay close attention to what they do with her, so you can continue it inbetween.
Good luck, I'd love to hear how she is doing in a few months.

I suggest that you talk with a speech therapist.

One thing that the therapist recommended for my grandson was to make a page with pictures of words, such as a picture of a potty, of a snack etc. and have her point to the picture.

Having her repeat words after you will help her learn the words but I suggest that it's not that she doesn't know the words but that she doesn't perhaps have a connection in her mind with the word. There is therapy for that but I don't know what it is.

I hope she's accepted for Early Intervention. If not find a speech therapist to help you. Your health insurance may pay for it. My grandson's does.

music? my daughter loved singing

selective mutism?
just a thought - a child in granddaughter's daycare has this

In addition to all of these suggestions, and this may be something you are already doing, is to read interactively with her. Ask her questions: point to the pictures and ask "what is that?", "who is that?" Say more to her than just the text of the story: point to the pictures and tell her "that is a ball", "that little boy is happy" and ask her to repeat words that you use in the story and make sure you heap on the praise whenever she does. This especially helps if she has any favorite books that you read to her. When you're cuddling her on your lap and reading to her, she will feel safe and comfortable and it may help her find her voice.

You can also read this way with her and another child both on your lap. The other child would be someone who is close to her age but speaking a little more (maybe a sibling, friend, cousin?). You can ask both of them questions and she will see the other child repeat words and my try doing it herself.

Of course, this is just one thing, and it alone won't solve everything for her, but it could help.

Good luck!