My partner said he doesnt think our daughter will ever speak and I said you cant know that yet

how old is your daughter and what disability does she have if you don’t mind me asking??
every disability is different and even those with the same disability have different abilities!
I’d never say never as for someone who doesn’t speak, she does seem to have very good social cues/skills..and with all her years left to live, who knows what could happen! xx

Shes going to be 2 next month she didnt walk until 20 months ish and she wasnt moving much at all before that. She has myotonia, a muscle stiffness condition and dor her she gets stuck in positions n stuck stiff and she always seems stiff in general and her feeding and mobility been mostly affected. it affected her swallowing and she couldnt eat orally any solid food until 21 months and choked on milk and had swallowing difficulties from birth she now can eat finger foods n lumpy foods n drinks better but only out of a baby bottle. She has come along way. We was also told because every muscle in her body will be affected this included in her mouth for chewing food and swallowing. She since started a medication to relax the muscles and thats when food intake improved. This also means it will affect how she can learn to speak but not that she never will. The rotation of her tongue is affected hence the choking too as food wasnt moved around her mouth the right way she only had up and down chomping movement

If that makes sense

I feel like its all hospitals n feeding schedules n specialist equipment n then play is out happy time n hes like no point she dont get it type of attitude

It’s very very early still, some nonverbal kids don’t speak until 5/6. You have to be patient and make sure you talk lots to her mostly narration of what your doing in your day to day life, also read story books or articles. If you would like to know what she wants to say you should consider leading sign language and communicating that way. It may also be a good idea to introduce an aac device but it is still very early. Men can be difficult at times, I don’t think he’s meaning to hurt your feelings

She will get there. She may not talk but she will find her own way to communicate. Every baby is different and your baby is just special. I mean it as in a way of learning and adapting to the world, not a disabled way (im sorry if that how it sounded). Its about learning to take it one day at a time. She may get there. If not she will find her own way to communicate with you without the need for words.
Also they say babys hear you in the womb and at 2 they stop listening to you all together and theyre not wrong. Im pretty sure their ears are for display purposes only

She will definitely get there. (: nobody knows what the timeline will look like, but I would never say it’ll never happen.

Also, I will forever advocate for presuming competence !!!
A lack of a reaction does not inherently mean there’s zero understanding.
(The link speaks towards presuming competence with autistic people, but it’s a philosophy that extends to all humans, you can swap out “autistic” for whatever disability you are referring to)
https://stimpunks.org/philosophy/presume-competence-never-assume-that-the-ability-to-speak-equals-intelligence/

Work with her. She may have a diagnosed disability, that doesn't mean all hope is lost. Everyone is different and can improve in their own way. Sign language may be great to get started with communication, but for speaking specifically...talk to her all the time. And work with her slowly too. If she watches your mouth as you speak do it slowly, show her how to do it, start with basic sounds and words. Patience and hope is a must.

My son is 3 and still not talking, doesn’t eat food (under dietician for suspected arfid) but loves chewing things, doesn’t engage with children other than siblings , has little understanding and is very sensory seeking

However there’s always a chance he’ll progress we just don’t know at this stage will continue to get him any help he needs

(Another link about presuming competence that has language geared towards disabilities in general & not one specific diagnosis! https://www.rogersbridgepediatrictherapy.com/presuming-competence)

Listen, I refused to accept my son wouldn’t speak either (he has ASD level 2). I saw Scatman John's story about how he had a terrible stutter, turned it into music, and said if he can do that, my son can speak! A week later, I saw a video on YouTube of a mom with her 18-year-old son who has ASD level 3. She was told he would never speak, and he can! He doesn’t speak in full sentences, but he can speak!
After seeing those two videos, I was determined my son would speak. I was actively being denied early intervention, so I spent hours on YouTube and Google researching and buying educational toys. With what I call "mom therapy," he went from completely non-verbal to limited speech! Keep fighting for your baby.