16 month old development delays

[Brambles34]

My son has always been a late developer. Late rolling/sitting/crawling etc. he certainly seems behind when compared to others his age. He doesn't walk or talk yet either at 16 months. He doesn't point at things but will look at what I pointing at. He has social skills in that he's very smily and responds to facial expressions but he doesn't wave or mimic etc. the nursery today said they had concerns about his development and wanted to develop a one-to-one plan to help which is great. I've also phoned my HV and waiting for a call back. Just looking for some similar stories that might give me a glimmer of hope after I've just been consulting Dr Google and now feel crap

[RawCoconutMacaroon]

Whatever your sons issues are (if he has any), an early referral is a good thing, as he may be able to access speech therapy etc if needed... But remember there is a huge range to "normal" development and at 16mths he's still very young :)

[Keeptrying24]

My DD is 17 months and is quite similiar to your son.
She was late smiling/sitting/rolling ext she only started crawling 2 weeks ago! She is not yet walking or talking either. However she is also very social she loves kisses and cuddles and is not bothered about new people or new places.
I flagged my concerns up a little while ago with the HV so she has seen a paediatrician and is also having physiotherapy and we are waiting on a speech therapist appointment along with numerous other tests (partly due to late development also due to her frontinel soft spot still very open and large) i know its very hard not to worry but early intervention is key if there is any problems. Your little one may just be a bit slow and need a bit of extra help. My Friends advice for me was when they hit there teenage yesrs noone cares when they first walked or first talked and noone cares if they try and put the triangle in the circle hole so just tey and relax! But i know thats hard to do, a little extra help never hurt anyone so if his nirsery is willing to do that then go with it! :-)

[Keeptrying24]

Also stay of Google! I was forever googling everything and would get myself in such a state! Know i stay away from it completely because it just makes you think the worst!

[Keeptrying24]

Sorry i just thought of something that has made me relax a little, my MIL's friend told me that her son was 25 months before he walked, and was in reception before he talked he was taken for every test under the sun and nothing was found he is now 16 and in the top of his class at grammer school and is no different to any of his peers :-)

[Brambles34]

Thank you keeptrying, after consulting Google all it said was causes of delays which include many genetic problems etc. I couldn't find anywhere about happy stories of little ones just needing a little extra help but turning out 'normal'. Until I read your message I couldn't help but feel sad about my sons future

[showtunesgirl]

My daughter was a late roller, sitter, crawler and walker. She did not walk independently until 2 weeks before her second birthday.

However, she was and still is a talker but is still extremely physically cautious. But apart from this, there is no difference between her and her peers now that she is 3 years and 3 months.

Sometimes children just develop at different speeds.

[Brambles34]

I don't think I would worry so much if it was just the talking and walking, but it's everything really inc pointing and the way he plays with toys etc

[TheNoodlesIncident]

However she is also very social she loves kisses and cuddles and is not bothered about new people or new places

Yes, my DS too. He does have ASD though. Children do vary so much. It may be nothing or there may be something.

You're doing the right thing by getting health care professionals involved. It is very scary. They may decide to adopt and wait-and-see strategy as he is still so young.

How is his receptive language? Does he understand and respond to things you say? So if you said, "Can you get your car?" would he try to get the car; look at the car but not try to get it; or just look at you and smile?

I know what you mean about feeling sad for his future, but his future may not be as bleak as your worry can make you imagine. The early intervention put in place these days can help enormously. Whether he is just slower and will catch up, or is neurologically different (and it does sound from what you say that you think this might be the case) he still has a great parent with his best interests at heart...

[juniorcakeoff]

Not walking or talking at 16 months is within normal range of development. Some are almost toddlers at this age, some are giant lazy babies. Does your baby look at you regularly when playing, when new people are introduced? Did he show any signs of separation anxiety at any stage? Does he sit well and crawl now? Does he babble? It is very good that he looks where you are pointing.

[MrsTawdry]

My friends DD was the same. She's 2 now and walking and saying single words. She has also said short sentences a few times.x

[Fugghetaboutit]

Who is he late in relation to?

He's developing at his own pace and at 16 months he doesn't have to be talking yet. My son is 2 and only has a few words.

My friends dd didn't walk until 20 months either. I wouldn't worry too much but it's good they're checking him out

[chocnomorechoc]

Just push for a referral to a develoomental paed even if the HV tries to fob you off. O have a DC with severe Asd and got no help from the HVs other than the old chestnut of "they are all different bla bla". Gp referred me in the end.

Just follow your gut. At best, a paed can put your mind to rest that all us well. And if your DS needs extra input, then the sooner the better.