Almost 14 months and still not clapping or waving

[Forecast234]

My son is almost 14 months old and rarely waves and claps. He will do it very occasionally, for example he has clapped twice in the last week and waved maybe once. But he doesn’t do it consistently and doesn’t clap when we clap, he has just done it randomly. The waving is similar he sometimes waves when we wave but hardly ever. We also doesn’t really copy actions in songs, although again he has done it sometimes in the past.

He points for things he wants, but with his hand rather than his index finger. And if I say where is the banana (for example) he will point at the banana with his whole hand. He has pointed at some things whilst we are out i.e. a duck, the car and the light but he doesn’t do it very often.

Is this something I should contact the health visitor about or is it still too early? We have really been trying to encourage clapping and waving the last few weeks but he just doesn’t seem interested.

[Lillyjayne]

Hi. No advise but just to say we are in exactly the same boat here. My DS is also almost 14 months. No clapping, waving or index finger pointing. He does whole hand point. He also has no words, just animal sounds. I’m also getting increasingly concerned. X

[LizFlowers]

I didn't realise clapping and waving were significant milestones.

[Forecast234]

Hi Lilly Jayne. Sorry to hear you are going through this too. We don’t have any speech either, not even animal noises.

Does your son ever wave or clap? I’m just asking because I spoke to my sons nursery today and they said they haven’t got any concerns and that he does wave them goodbye?! Obviously it’s a relief to hear that, but don’t know why he won’t wave for us. They have said they will try and work on the clapping, so we will need to wait and see if they can get him doing it.

Do you have any other concerns? I was really worried about his understanding a month ago, but it’s come on so much now, he can ‘point’ to loads of things in the house now and brings me a few things when asked. So now I’m thinking I just need to be patient and he will get there in his own time, but I also can’t stay away from google...

[Lillyjayne]

Yes. Both are examples of the ability to mimic actions and waving specifically is a form of non verbal communication.

[Lillyjayne]

Hi. I have seen him clapping in his high chair only very occasionally but he will not mimic it at all. His nursery think that he waves when we leave but I don’t think it’s a wave.
He was late babbling which was the first thing that alerted some concern but he now babbles lots.
He doesn’t mimic facial expressions ie sticking tongue out (often).
He will mimic play, banging blocks together hitting a xylophone, pushing a car etc he just doesn’t seem to copy actions without consequence. I hope that makes sense. X

[Forecast234]

Sounds very similar them. We only get very occasional waving and clapping and he doesn’t really mimic facial expressions either. Although he will laugh and smile if we do, but hardly ever sticks out his tongue in response to us doing it. He will also copy games and if I brush my hair and give him the brush he will try and do it. So like your son it just seems to be the body actions he won’t do. What did your nursery say, are they worried? Are you thinking about contacting the health visitor or are you going to wait? Also what is it about the waving at nursery that makes you think he isn’t doing it? You have me worried now that maybe he is not really waving there after all!

[Lillyjayne]

Oh no I don’t want to make you worry. He sort of puts his arm up but it’s what he does to point or to reach out to be picked up, there is no clear up and down motion. They also thought he was blowing kisses the other day but he smacks his lips when you mention food or if he wants food. Sometimes they mistake his actions as the don’t spend as much time with him and haven't worked out what they are.
I am not very good at waiting. I contacted both health visitor and GP when he was 10 month due to lack of babbling and gesturing (possibly premature I know). I did get a referral to speech and language. They have been in touch and done a very basic valuation. They are touching base again next month. Nursery don’t seem concerned but I do think that we as mums get to see a lot more. I am a worrier with regards to him and I was anxious during pregnancy. However I don think that my concerns are valid x

[Forecast234]

Oh ok that makes sense, I find it really hard to know if my worries are rational or not, I yo-yo between feeling everything is fine and he is just a little slow and thinking that something is wrong. I definitely think I have some anxiety, not helped by lockdown or google.

I think I might give it another couple of months and if he is still not gesturing regularly then try and contact the gp/health visitor. I don’t think they would refer us now anyway as he is on track for everything else.

Fingers crossed that they both start gesturing soon!

[Lillyjayne]

Evaluation I’m not trying to sell him 😂

[Lillyjayne]

100% the way that I feel. I yo yo from minute to minute some days!
I really hope so x

[Smokey23]

Hi, my son is 19mos now and during that age he is the same... he barely clap or wave even until now he barely wave but clapping is very good unlike the previous.. there are some kids/babies that doesnt like doing it over and over again same as in speech.. my son still barely speak but babbles a lot he will say a word but if you ask to do it again he will not do it.. i am worried too before and gives me anxiety to the point i cannot eat any more.. but slowly he improves and keep my worry away.
Like the other night i was surprised that when i say car he tries to say it so it makes me happy and worry free.. if i may add, until now he can barely point and use his hands rather than pointing which his pedia says its okay..

I suggest to give him more time and don't force thing he is not interested to, he will not do it.

[Forecast234]

Hi thanks for the reply. Yes, I think that you are right and I’m putting too much pressure on him to do it so he doesn’t want to. I spoke to his nursery about it again today and they said he claps and waves there regularly, so I think maybe I’m trying too hard to get him to do it at home. I will try and relax about it for a month or so and see what happens.

[Happybunny2]

Hi @Forecast234 how is your little one now? My little girl is the same age and not doing these things either. Getting worried

[Mas05]

Hi @Forecast234 @Lillyjayne @Happybunny2 any updates please? TIA

[Lillyjayne]

Hi. My son started pointing just before 15 months, waving 17 months and his language is great. I think he was just concentrating on other things.

[Happybunny2]

My daughter is doing good, pointed at 17 months and waved at 18 months. Good amount of words for 21 months.She is very physically active child and her understanding is great.

[Forecast234]

Yeah, my son is doing well too. I can’t remember the exact dates but by 18 months he was waving, pointing and clapping and had a few words. He’s 2 and a half now and completely on track development wise.