Yes! My little one was first evaluated by EI at 24 mos. and at that time her expressive & receptive language was at an 8 mos. level. She was re-tested at 5 1/2 and came out at a 48 mos. level for expressive language and above average for receptive language. So still delayed but she went from being minimally verbal to being able to hold a back-and-forth conversation.

There's definitely hope! My son didn't speak at all when he was 24 months. He spoke very few single words by the time he was 3 years old and started the early childhood program. Now he's almost 4 and he's starting to say full sentences. He's also very happy and affectionate. Even if your son isn't able to speak, there should be some type of way for you two to eventually communicate. Pictures help a lot in my son's classroom. Also, sign language is a god-send.

There's always hope. As a mom to a 17 year old that does not converse through speech I understand your question and desire. however, there are more ways to communicate than through words. My son is happy, healthy and loving. He is intelligent and knows what he wants and what he doesn't. And he may not tell me in actual words but I always know how he is feeling and and if he is having a good or a bad day. Would it be easier if he could use sentences? Yes, but as I like to tell all my children life isn't easy so get used to it. lol Your son is young so with intensive therapy he MAY speak to you but he may not. The only thing you can do is find what works for him. Could be PECS, sign language or in time speech. Good luck but never give up hope.

My sons speech developed very slowly. I found a way to support his speech development without putting so much pressure on him, and I noticed rapid gains in joint attention and expressive language. http://jamesdmacdonald.org/Articles/MacDonaldSt...

There is always hope! The fact that he is speaking some words and you are getting diagnosis and services so young is in your favor!
Pack in whatever therapies you can now it can get busy but it's worth it, I agree with the above- therapies are key. ABA has made the hugest difference- finally got my son potty trained. He is in a SpEd pre school that introduced PECs which helped, we still use the PECs for picture schedules and tasks (getting dressed etc.) We also have speech tx 2 x wk and OT.
My son's speech delay was caught at 3 because he was echolalic...he could repeat commercials, songs etc but could not communicate, he screamed for everything. He is 4 1/2 now and is able to ask for things and make statements. Not really conversational yet but he's happier bc he can at least communicate his needs most of the time.