DS 18 month knows about 3/4 of alphabet?

[looseleaf]

and some numbers eg up to 10 with little effort other than reading to him when have time or pointing things out on the way to the park etc. I'm not sure this means anything but we've been a bit surprised how early he's been interested and I suspect a lot of it is having a 6 year old sister who's shown him letters phonetically etc and enjoys her homework!

He's way 'behind' where DD was socially at this age as she very interested in other children much more already but he's very attached to her and is pleased to see some of her friends so I guess I mustn't worry. And he is absolutely fascinated in lights being on or off, things being dark or light to the point of which it feels it's literally all we discuss? Hopefully this is just that he's working it out? (My dad thinks he'll grow up to be an electrician!)

[looseleaf]

Ps just realised how ridiculous I sound about the social side as he's only 18 months! But guess it's just surprising when a second child different!

[TallulahMcFey]

That is v forward. My 2 girls were loads more forward than my son (now 2 years 2 months) but weren't like that. They were early talkers, good at puzzles, writing their name early etc and both turned our to be extremely bright and put on those ridiculous gifted and talented lists (they are both a bit older). My son's speech is average (typical boy) and has just started counting - walks around all the time counting things saying "six, nine, six, nine". Just by comparison you can see how forward your son is. Just to say the words at that age would be forward but to put them in order is a bigger achievement. My son doesn't really understand the alphabet at all. He is quite interested in light and dark though but your son does seem extremely inquisitive. I don't think it means my son won't be clever but I personally think it DOES mean that yours will. Of course there will be a lot of people saying their 2 year can count to 20 etc (as I know some can) so he won't be alone, but I do think it would indicate cleverness. This is only my opinion though based on the fact that I've never seen a child start off ahead of the others not find learning easy. I know what you mean about being social though because my 2 year old son loves all other children and people in general and always has done (much more than my girls) and if we go to a cafe will quite happily change seats to go and sit with an old lady on her own (!) so you do see their personalities come out from an early age. But I wouldn't consider it way behind. Children just develop at a different rate in different areas. After all, I'm hoping my son will catch up and be like his sisters!

[ChazDingle]

he sounds like my ds at that age. He is now 2.9 and can count to over 200 and recognises all the letters and knows the phonics. I've never set out to teach him as such but he's just seemed to pick them up and will show interest in toys or games that are to do with numbers and letters

He started pre school last sept and just got his first 'report'. I can't remember what the categories on but on the more emotional/ social side he is only at 16-26 months which is below his age. He also is totally impractical and won't try and undress himself and isn't potty trained yet.

[looseleaf]

That's remarkable he's counting to 200, our 6 year old can't!

We haven't tried potty training but whenever DS doesn't have a nappy on but needs a pee he climbs onto the loo and pres on the closed loo seat so I find a puddle . He won't try a potty!

He's also becoming oversensitive eg takes it badly if he gives me something like a hairbrush I don't need and I ask him to put it back. It's a bit difficult and for instance if DD is sitting where he wants to he'll have a full on moment of rage, something I've never dealt with with her and he's much harder to console eg doesn't want cuddles in the way she always has.

[BrianButterfield]

He sounds exactly like my ds! 18 months today, knows all the letter sounds pretty much (can't actually say them all though), knows numbers to 10, loves to comment on light and dark (today DH got up early with him then went back to bed later - ds was there when DH got back in bed with the curtains closed, we left the room and he kept looking back at the room saying "daddy dark"!)

I don't know much about young children but he seems ahead to me - at nursery they put him in front of the alphabet poster and get him to read the letters as entertainment!

I'm constantly amazed by ds - yours sounds like such a clever little boy! They're incredible, aren't they?

[insanityscratching]

Looseleaf please keep a note of your child's development as you are mentioning things that would be considered red flags wrt to autism spectrum disorder. I would ask your GP to carry out the MCHAT assessment.

[eggsy11]

Hmmmm my DS is also 18months. I think it's stupid at this age to class your child as a genius/worry if they're behind. My friend has a 20mo and has arranged for him to be 'assessed' because he's so clever... He is just an average, bright toddler. He can regconise and say numbers up to 10, but that's not 'counting'. She also claims he says certain words, although it's only grunting and vague sounds. It's hard to judge at this age because you obviously think your child is brilliant, and not being at school yet you don't have a lot to compare them to!

[Viewofthehills]

Looseleaf-My DS was a bit like yours and toilet trained himself at a similar age. He wouldn't use a potty but used a soft toddler seat on the toilet and never pooed in his nappy again (hated being dirty) Worth trying-say just leave it there and see if he uses it?

Does he like car badges? Ds knew all of them by two, also loved letters, numbers, cars, switches etc. Enjoy him, he does sound bright.

[exoticfruits]

He sounds bright but I would just enjoy him and not worry about it. Having an elder one to copy is an advantage.

[looseleaf]

Insanityscratching I have been a bit worried so posted a separate thread in children's health and did a CHAT? Questionnaire half of our answers of which did suggest being on autism spectrum a possibility . I think I'm going to ring our health visitor when can just to mention I'm a tiny bit uneasy as advice I was given was that there's nothing to lose raising concern but that if it is anything , early intervention helps. Having said that it is reassuring apparently DS points at things to show me with eye contact a lot.
View of the hills thanks for that idea- I'd be thrilled to no longer need nappies!

[Schmedz]

Looseleaf he sounds a lot like my DD at that age and if you feel the social skills are still lagging behind at nursery it is possible he could be Aspergers or HF ASD. I always considered my DD to be 'emotionally immature' which became increasingly evident as she moved through KS1. She was officially diagnosed with AS when she was 9.
Lack of social skills not always an indicator but certainly a flag! And social skills of 18 month olds are certainly not an accurate guide! To be honest DDs AS was only a problem when she grew older and was unhappy in friendships at school. Enjoy toddlerhood while it lasts.

[notquiteruralbliss]

At 18m, my eldest (IQ test at age 9 put her IQ at over 160) thought it hilarious that, if she turned a 6 upside down, it became a 9 (she had been counting everything she could for some time). By the age of 3, she had taught herself to read & was happily reading short books. She didn't socialise brilliantly with kids her age & often had problems at school. My experience is that most schools, even (maybe especially) those that are selective, don't cater brilliantly well for highly gifted children. For what it is worth, daughter is now @ uni (doing a subject she chose specifically because she didn't find it easy) & having a great time.

[FriendlyLadybird]

I hate to disappoint you about the electrician thing. Our DS was obsessed with plugholes and water at that age, and we were convinced that we were going to have a very useful plumber in the family. He went right off it though and is now (aged 11) aiming to be a novelist. What use is that?

[ChazDingle]

Looseleaf just wonder if you mentioned anything to the HV and if so how did you get on. Since replying to your original thread above DS's preschool have raised that they think he is showing some autistic signs, i've not done anything further as yet

[looseleaf]

Chazdingle sorry for slow reply! Wonder if you'll see this. And sorry you have the question of autism being raised, it sounds like your DS' preschool are experienced so I hope that helps you know in case extra support needed. Do you have any instinct? I do hope any worries will be gently helped etc.
This end I did visit the HV who said too early to tell but I think they said by 3ish they might sometimes see clearer signs. To me the last month had brought an improvement though as he is much more interested in other children (older ones as he likes an 8 year old a lot but I guess age doesn't matter)
He still continues to be a bit quirky but I think it's just his love of learning and I try and balance it as he likes swimming, playgrounds etc

[ChazDingle]

Hi looseleaf thanks for the reply. I've not been back in to speak to preschool yet as he only goes two mornings and my mum drops him off as i'm at work. As regards instinct the thought had crossed my mind before which is why i realised what the questions the preschool were asking me related to. At this precise moment in time my gut feeling is theres nothing wrong but i am also keeping an open mind as i don't want to be in denial. DS is 3 next month and he does interact with other children although he doesn't really play games with them as such, other than chase! He also seems to get on better with slightly older children.

[mindingalongtime]

I have three 18 month olds in my care and your son sounds pretty normal to me. One of mine, the girl, can sing at least 10 nursery rhymes very clearyl and is speaking in full sentences, but I don't think this is unusual. She also recites numbers and the alphabet, but in my opinion this is just like reciting a rhyme. She has no concept of number yet apart from 2 or 3 as that is the number of cups, plates spoons etc we need for the table!

On the other hand, one of the others, says no words at all, he does not babble or chatter, and I do have a small concern and `I am monitoring him, but IME of looking after over 60 toddlers, they all are pretty normal!