I am a first time mum and my boy is going to be 2 in a couple of months.
I can't help but be concerned about his development.
It all started earlier in the year when a friend commented that he doesn't register that anyone is around him at public events and that he didn't respond to his name.
It has been playing on my mind so much we went to a HV centre a couple of months back and she said she would get our own HV to get in contact.
Months later and still not heard from them. I want to chase them up but my OH thinks it is all in my head and I am looking for things to be wrong.
At nearly two he does not point but sometimes looks when I point at an object. He doesn't follow instructions (pass object, put object in, fetch object etc). He rarely responds to his name. He does make okay eye contact when we are at home but as soon as we step out the house it's like his development goes backwards. He doesn't make eye contact, doesn't listen, breaks away from holding hands and does a runner or if on reins just sits on the ground (wet or dry). He does bring his cup to me when he wants a drink or goes to the kitchen stair gate near feeding times. He can count to 14 and back from 10. He knows colours, some shapes, some animals sounds and a good selection of songs including the alphabet. He despises being cuddled and the only physical contact I get is when he uses me as a climbing frame.
He is also really clumsy and on a daily basis trips over or bumps himself (normally on the head). He is unable to use cutlery and uses his fingers. He 'zones' out a lot and just seems to be in his own little world at times. At toddler group he just ignores the other children and has no fear to just run off and do his own thing or go up and get in other parents personal space.
I'm sorry for the long winded message but I feel like I am the only one concerned for my boy! My OH is in complete denial and reckons the HV would of contacted if concerned but he does not spend as much time with him as I do.
When I see other children interact with their parents, playing with them, cuddling and kissing them, following them around and knowing they are there it truly breaks my heart. I sometimes feel like he's not my son and he doesn't realise I'm his mum :(
I just don't know what to do.....if to chase up the HV or what I can do to help our bond/ his development. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
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Behaviour/development
Should I be concerned about my 2yr old?
XmisskimX · 20/06/2016 10:16
Hearing tests can pick up the fine tuning bit of hearing, so your child may be able to pick up on the gist of what you are going on, but struggle if there are background noises etc. It is something worth getting checked.
Is there another gp you can see? A GP should also refer you to the audiology department for hearing tests.
The other route you could take is to google your local Speech and Language service, they should have an advice line, and you should be able to self refer - you could say that you have concerns about his overall development, and his communication skills (the zoning out for example). Speech and Language look at all sorts of developmental concerns, and could be a good starting point. They would almost certainly recommend a hearing test too.
The toddler group people wouldn't be people who have an understanding of child development, so I wouldn't worry too much about what they say. Nursery and preschool workers do have an understanding of child development and often see things where others might not.
It is really hard when you feel as though your child is not developing along the same lines as other children, and this is a difficult age where the lines between what is usual and what is not are often blurred - however, it sounds as though you have concerns, and so it is definitely the right thing to follow up on them and not be fobbed off.
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