14 month old doesn't clap point or wave

[megan96]

Hi I'm new to this bit I need some advice, my little one is 14 months old (almost 15m) and he doesn't clap wave or point. He doesn't point to anything to get someone's attention or bring a toy over to show interest. He can climb walk and pick things up and can babble mama or dada but that's about it, should I be concerned?

[ElyElyOy]

My son is 18 (nearly 19 months and not pointing) so we have been referred for assessment, but I’m not sure at 14/15 months if this would be classed as a concern.

The best thing to do is speak to your HV in the first instance. They can asses the whole picture and give you a bit of direction :)

[lovely36]

Does he make eye contact with you? This is a bit concerning to be honest. Have you spoken with your gp or health visitor about this? My son is 15 months and knows his farm animals, shapes, etc if I ask he will point to what I'm asking for. WhT other things does he do? And also does he watch a lot of tv?

[megan96]

Yes he watches tv and he makes eye contact with me when we went for his one year review there was no concerns from the health visitor, he knows which things are his like if he sees his cups he starts saying mum or makes noises

[HeyJupiter]

Hi, my understanding is that pointing is a 12-18month milestone so definitely still time for that to emerge. Clapping isn't that important but waving by 15 months is expected. I know this because I've had concerns about my own son. How is his receptive language? If you ask things like 'Where is mummy?' does he look in the right direction? Does he follow a pointed finger? That's often a pre-curser to learning to point. Might be a bit soon to worry too much but definitely worth keeping an eye on.

[megan96]

Hi
If he hears my voice he will look around for me or if I shout his name he will come towards me, he makes eye contact and babbles a lot. If I was to point he will look at my finger but not look at what I'm pointing at. He doesn't point if he wants something but will make noises to let me know if he wants it.

[HeyJupiter]

It's really good that he's responding to his name! If you point to something really close by (like nearly touching it with your hand) it will hopefully encourage him to start following a point. Pointing should come from there. I think all these things are worth monitoring but maybe give him a couple more months before worrying too much. I'm no expert though, just an anxious mum who has done too much research herself.

[megan96]

Hi
thank you for that that's put my mind at ease a little I'm such an anxious mum and especially because I work with children myself so is really hard not to compare

[HeyJupiter]

I can only imagine! My son is 12 months and I have had concerns from early on. I do suffer from anxiety problems though which is a big part of it I'm sure.

It might be worth having a chat to your Health Visitor as they might be able to offer you some real reassurance.

[ElyElyOy]

As I said earlier my son is being referred but only from when he was 18 months old: so much happens in a few months. Just think about how much your baby has come on since they were 10 months old? Plus they have bursts of development.

Your HV should reassure you (and can do anothet ages and stages assessment) but I wouldn’t have thought they would be too concerned at this stage :)

[Lscuz]

Hi megan96 did your wee one eventually start clapping pointing and waving?

[Lion23]

@megan96 do you mind providing an update for those in similar situations?

[Lion23]

@Lscuz did you have a similar situation? If so would you mind providing an update?

[Ah5337]

Hello, can we have an update please

[Lscuz]

Hey mums, so my wee one when he was 14 months old didn’t clap, point or wave. He eventually did all of these things by 19 months old and I can’t tell you the relief I eventually had. He didn’t speak until he was nearly 3 and words just flourished. My son hand flapped until he was about 3 and a bit with excitement when watching tv, or watching bubbles etc. i had him assessed when he was 22 months old for autism and they said at that time he was absolutely fine but I still wasn’t convinced and I searched the internet for videos of autistic kids, read articles, watched tons of YouTube videos. And low and behold, he’ll be 4 in September and he’s talking in complete sentences, stopped flapping, and he’s a completely ‘normal’ child. He’s thriving at nursery, has friends, loves a tantrum. My advice is to stop searching the internet for videos and speaking to other mums because it didn’t help me, it only made me sick with worry. All kids really are different and they thrive at different times. However if you are at all worried, speak to your health visitor and they will get in contact with the right people to have your child assessed. Don’t focus on your child reaching milestones by a certain month. Good luck xxxx

[Bebe02]

Thank you for this. I was getting so paranoid and seeing in every movement autism. Watched loads of TIKTOK and YOUTUBE videos about it. I think i just have to let it go and he will develop in his own time

[Tanu92]

15 month old clapping, babbling mama and papa, points sometimes but not waving. Should I be concerned.

[Pkt017]

Hi i have 15 months old boy.im a bit worry becouse his not waveing and pointing and to make clap hands i need to grap his hand to make it and most of the time when i sing hem if your happy and you know it he comes to me grab my hand and stars claping with my hands.. he does speak at all .. only babababa drrrrrrrr and he used to call my father dog name pepeee (pepper) . His show no interest in drowing or to read for him but we play peeka buu and catch and when i call him he comes to me 85% of the time.. should i be worried ?? And when i say look and point to something most of the time he looks where im pointing...

[CadyEastman]

@Pkt017 you might be better starting your own thread as this one is 6 years old but ithink from what you've said you should definitely speak to your HV.

The thing that stands out most from your post is that he used to say a word and now doesn't.

Sometimes speech can slow down if they are concentrating on acquiring a new skill, like walking but the HV should really have a look at him if he had no words at 15 months.

I'd do this simple SLT checker and see what it says. You can book a free call with one if their SLTs if he needs some support and they have resources in their website

[Lscuz]

hey, can I please reiterate my post from above. My son was in a very similar situation to your child. He use to say mama and he stopped and didn’t speak a word until he was 2 and a half. He pointed, waved and clapped ‘later’ than what’s consider ‘normal’. Please if you’re concerned speak to your HV because these forums and chats don’t help. Children are all different in how they develop, different surroundings and environments. One helpful thing I did get from him being assessed was that bubbles are great for concentration and encouraging language. The use of the word ‘pop’ in particular. Good luck mum x