severe speech delay,will it get better?is it something more

[imnewwithnoclue]

Im new to mumsnet so hello D.s is 3.8 and has severe speech delay,he has only just started to use words with out promoting, and only one or two words at that.his understanding is good (I think) his eye contact is hit and miss he makes good eye contact with family but doesn't focus when other people talk to him. He was seen by educational psychologist who said no other issues when his speech catches up he'll catch up, but I find my self thinking will he catch up? Any advice/anecdotes appreciated

[ToniQueensPark]

Welcome newwithnoclue , ok where to start: does he have any habits that appear unusual to you? Do you read lots of books to him, does he enjoy them? Does he enjoy music and sing at all?if you call him from another room does he come, does he turn his head to sound, does he watch tv and favour certain programmes? Does he greet you /others hello and bye bye , does he point at and ask you for things he wants? Any food issues? Is he affectionate, does he show concern if someone is upset? Nappy trained? How is behaviour? Any Tantrums if so what over and what does he do during meltdown? Tx T

[2boysnamedR]

Hello. My ds had a speech delay ( unfortunately he didn't grow out it).

For us there was more to his picture. He was late to hit all milestones, walked at 18 months, feel over a lot, didn't want to communicate or really engage with me, didn't seem to understand language so for example 'get your shoes, get your coat'.

My son turned out to have dyspraxia so in his case everything is seeming to be scrambled going to / coming from his brain!

He still wasn't really talking much at four. I though he would never talk, then one day it kind of clicked, now he chats a lot! He still has a delay and word finding problems and maybe always will. But he can and does improve. It was very hard being a mum to someone who not engage with me for years and years. But now I know him finally. There was things going on inside his brain, but he had no desire at all to share those things with anyone. Without that need I had no way at all to bring him on

[adrianna1]

@2boys....- Does your son have the overall dypraxia? or speech apraxia?.... Did they ever mention autism with your DS.

[imnewwithnoclue]

Toniqueenspark, he doesn't really have any unusual habits,he loves books and being read too and knows if I try and cheat and skip a page,ditto music he tries to song it mostly gibberish but to a tune iykwim.he's only just started pointing at things he wants,for the most part he'll find ways of getting things,he'll drag chairs to cupboards to reach things out of reach.he's very affectionate,is mostly toilet trained but because he can't ask to go he can sometimes struggle when were out to get his needs across,at home he just goes or drags us to toilet to help him.in the last week he's started tantruming in any shop we go in screaming throwing himself on the floor being a general embarrassment. He does say bye bye consistently now not so much hello,but he does on the phone.he is a fussy eater,was OK but after chicken pox last year he just went terrible,he's started trying new foods again recently.his behaviour is fairly good up until the last few weeks he is suddenly fascinated by babies wants to look and stroke babies in prams and isn't happy when he's stopped. Thank you for your replies, I feel like its one step forward two back

[LadyKooKoo]

I think you need to get his hearing checked, if only to rule out that being a problem. I would also request a speech and language referral.

[ToniQueensPark]

hi there, just reading thru some of the newer posts and a poster called 'quietlysuggests' has some excellent advice on how to get referrals moving, because you are on the back foot now having had an EP say all is ok, but would be good to line some referrals up as dates take a while to come thru and you might be desperate by then. Its really worth spending some time looking at the other posts because there is some excellent advice and tips on here. We have worked tirelessly on getting our sone to verbalise - giving choices is one good tip because it encourages enteraction - and talking to him and asking questions often that require a response , limiting the tv or computer/screen based games is also wise, keeping a diary/list of reasons to support your wish for referral is wise too…again you will get some knowledge of whats normal and whats perhaps a concern from other posts on here, re. behaviour - distraction techniques can help, especially when out and about and not wishing to cause a scene, keep the snack bars for these occasions or bring his have toy in your bag and get it out to change his focus - good luck :)

[Ahhhcantthinkofagoodname]

Hello, agree with the others, def sounds like you need to get a referral to speech and language service, either via GP, or also some areas do speech and Langauge "drop ins", often at a children's centre. The latter may be the quickest way in as you'll actually see a speech therapist at this who will be able to get the referral sorted quickly if they decide it's needed. A referral to audiology from your GP would also be a good move to check for / rule out hearing problems.

[2boysnamedR]

My son has overall dyspraxia. He is complex but has hyper mobility and low muscle tone and poor coordination and processing so it's where he fits best. I have been told he most defiantly hasn't got asd but these things do cross over a lot. He has got some asd traits but I now I know him better I agree it's not asd. I did think it was asd under the pead explained why he can't be

[2boysnamedR]

Sorry - until the pead explained why it can't be I mean

[beautifulgirls]

Dd had severe speech issues with verbal dyspraxia. Fast forward another 6 years from starting therapy and her speech is not terrible, though not age appropriate. She can however make herself understood most of the time. We were told no other problems by a paed at age 3. Since then she has been given multiple diagnoses for problems including ASD and APD. She has a genetic problem underlying all this which we found out about quite late on in reality but it makes sense of her issues now for us. Of course this doesn't mean your son will have other issues, but what I would say is trust your instinct and follow up any nagging concerns if you have them.

[imnewwithnoclue]

Thank you for all your replies, ds has had hearing tests and all fine,he's under speech therapy too but at the moment they see him every four months and tell us to carry on with what we are doing and that's about it,they've been into his school to observe and offer advice to his teachers this week but not heard anything back yet. This morning he did (sort of) sing twinkle twinkle little star to us, clear enough to understand around half the words,which is the first bit of progress for a while

[Creamycoolerwithcream]

DS2 and 3 didn't speak at all until they were 4. They avoided eye contact and used PECS cards. they had private therapy and imput from Portage. A few months after they were 4 they both started talking, it was like a miracle.

[goonIcantakeit]

If you have any doubts at all about his understanding you need to hit that hard. Sadly, even many professionals don't understand much about delays in understanding language.

The name is awful, but the DVDs "teachme to listen and obey " are excellent. You buy them at teachmetotalk.com.

Good luck.