15 month old development

[Olaf14]

everyone

This is my first post sorry if it is too long.

My DS is 15 months tomorrow, he eats well, sleeps occasionally through the night although can be unsettled and I believe he meeting milestones on target or before (walking 10 months/ crawling 6 months).

He has been babbling since 8 months, can say mumma and what I think is ducks. He makes sounds all days some sound like words. That’s it for verbal communication.

Non verbal he can wave, clap hands, shake head for no and trying to nod. The last six weeks he has been pointing (full hand and more recently index finger) for interests, things he wants and pictures in book. He brings items/toys to show us this had been happening for 5 months.

He pretends to talk on phone, drink from empty cup, fed teddies and me. He plays with toys well and plays with our dog. He likes peek a boo and chasing games.

He can feed himself with loaded spoon/fork, finger foods and drinks well from cup. He can turn pages in book, make marks with crayons and press buttons on toys.

He can run, walk, climb on couch and stairs.

He responds to his name most of the time, give reasonable eye contact, points at me if you ask where’s mumma and points at our dog when asked. He gives me kisses when asked.

As you have probably guessed I am concerned about speech development and possible links to autism. Do you think he is developing on track or should I seek help?
Thank you

Sounds very similar to DD1, walking very early plus other physical skills but not much verbally. That side of things clicked when she was around 2. Never flagged up for any issues. Have you looked at a development chart? It shows the huge range of normal for babies/children, might set your mind at rest.

He sounds fine. Mine didn't say his first word (ball) until 18 months. I was so worried. Then he didn't add any more words until about 21 months. He kept getting marked down at nursery but has made progress and caught up and was in the 'normal' range at 2 and 2 months. At 2 and 4 months started sentences. I still think he is behind but nursery think he is fine.

@grey12 thanks I can't get a speech therapy referral/appointment without the hearing test they have to rule that out first. I agree 2.5 is young and frankly when he is distracted it's hard to get him to listen I suspect that's not an age thing.

Sounds perfectly normal. I was a bit worried about ds1 as he barely said any words at all until he was 2. He’s nearly 3 now and literally won’t shut up so clearly I had nothing to worry about.

Hi Olaf14 hope you don't mind me bumping your post.

My DS2 is almost 15 months (end of this week) and still isn't pointing with his index finger 95% of the time. He uses his whole hand to request things and to show things of interest (I think). He also does show us things of interest by holding up/bringing etc.

Just wondering about your DS and the whole hand pointing, when did it turn to index finger pointing? And was it gradual or overnight? DS1 pointed out of nowhere with his index finger at bang on 13 months so DS2 is late in comparison and I do worry.

Thinking about it, my 18 month old DD doesnt point much. She just reaches her hand out. She constantly points at things in books and at her food or at body parts if I ask her where they are, but not for things she wants. If she wants something she reaches out in its general direction rather than pointing. I think each kid is different. I suppose if reaching their hand out gets them what they want, they wont feel the need to point. For me, the main thing is comprehension. My DD understands nearly everything I say and reacts, and to me that means she is developing perfectly fine. The rest will come and I will encourage her as she goes along.

Does she point to things she's interested in squidgebum? Eg a dog on a walk or what have you?

If I say where's your nose DS2 does a good job of touching near his nose and if I say "where's DS2" he slaps himself in the head so the understanding is there but not the correct gesture IYSWIM. His understanding is ok, I don't think it's where DS1 was at this age, but then DS1 was a very late walker, and DS2 is already walking very well. DS2 understands things like go and get your shoes, where's teddy, give cuddles, sit down and no. I do feel guilty as well though that he's a bit overlooked especially in lockdown, as DS1 takes a lot of the focus.

I actually dont know what she points at. I dont pay that much attention, which is probably not the greatest thing. I respond more to her 'talking' than anything (she just babbles constantly).

Each kid does things at their own pace. My mom was a childminder so I watched about 8 kids grow up in my house and they were all different but they all got there in the end. I think there is a lot of emphasis now on making sure they hit a milestone by a certain age and comparing them to others. I am a teacher and I cant tell what kids in my class walked first or talked first. They all just do it eventually.

I think once then comprehension is there that's the main thing. That shows their understanding rather than pointing versus hand stretching. Your DS will eventually do the same as his sibling. Just keep modelling things and talking. That's the key to everything.

"Your DS will eventually do the same as his sibling"

Some will not. Some will need intervention.
Just keep an eye and seek advice from nursery or h v if you concerned. Better to get early intervention and resolve an issue and/or get the right support