DS2, 4.5, has limited speech - two/three word phrases. I'm not sure of his understanding - sometimes, it is OK and others, he is on another planet. He doesn't have hearing problems.

Initally, a year ago, a SALT and a developmental expert (not doctor) said it was autism and to only use Spanish. We live in an area with a regional language and speak English at home.

The school received considerable extra help and DS2 got weekly sessions at a local under 6 intervention centre. The therapist there says she doesn't think he is autistic. He has been very uncooperative in school. He used to bite a lot. He disconnects and appears to be in cloud cuckoo land, although it isn't that difficult to get his attention back.

A nasty separation and a year later, DS2 is making progress but is clearly struggling with language. He babbles a lot. He tells me things - often, no idea what. If I give him a very clear question, he can use part of it to answer back. We don't have conversations per se but he is trying to initiate them, just can't keep them going.

We are about to start tests at the local hospital - with a possible referral to a neurologist. The team has a good reputation. So, my questions are: do you have a child with mild autism and what are they like at home? Does your child have a speech delay at 4.5 and how are they coping? DS2 responds well to Something Special - Makaton - and the Hanen technique. How do I know if it is delay/disorder? Given that everyone is saying speak Spanish only, is there any validity in the one language approach?