Does this sound like a hyperlexia/speech delay?

[BlondeEra]

DS is just about to turn 2 (next week!) and I’d say he is a little behind on his speech and social development. Compared to elder DD at least.

He has a few words but they are all nouns, like animal names and things. He doesn’t say conversational things like hello or ta. But he is obsessed with letters and numbers. He can identify all the numbers from 1-10 and most of the letters, and can point them out on signs and number plates. Sometimes I wonder if he’s going to be some sort of mathematician but I’m also really aware that he is really lacking conversationally - is it that normal to be able to read a car number plate before you’ve even said goodbye to someone?!

He doesn’t put two words together, and sometimes doesn’t seem to really understand what I’m saying when I ask him to do something. He scores either grey or black on the communication section of the ASQ depending on how generous I am between sometimes and yes.

In all other regards he’s doing great - a great eater, sleeper, so smiley and cuddly and easy to take places. But I just remember my DD was saying little sentences at around 2 whereas it’s still like having a baby sometimes with DSs communication.

Has anyone had any experiences similar to this? Am I worrying over nothing or should I tell the HV my concerns?

Sounds like my son who was diagnosed as autistic at age 3 and a half. He had no words at two although had said some when younger. My son became obsessed with numbers when he was 3, then seemed to forget them and now at 6 is obsessed. It’s all he wants to talk about. His speech is there now, but he is behind his peers in terms of communication. Keep a note of everything and keep an eye on it.

Very similar to my son - now 4.5 and NT. He was late talking and is still probably at the lower end of 'normal' for his age but is being well supported by the school. He's always loved and been able to recognise numbers/count (with things rather than words). He's currently obsessed with the times table and can do basic math sums. He's the most advanced in his class at school despite being an August baby but not in a concerning way. He's just very good at maths! I'm very mathematical (won prizes etc) and my husband got a first in Maths at university so I think he just takes after us. He's also very musical which often goes hand in hand with maths ability.

He sounds very similar to my son, diagnosed with autism at three. Mine was busily learning the alphabet at your DS's age, was reading a few months later. His speech was well behind as was his social development. He was also diagnosed with language processing disorder, not surprising as his receptive language skills were clearly lacking. He just didn't have a clue what was going on, life for him must have been like watching a foreign soap opera - lots of weird gestures you don't comprehend and not a chance of understanding what's being said.

In your place I would absolutely raise your concerns with the HV, the sooner the better. There may be interventions they can put in place that will help with his development (Portex and Portage in my day, no idea if that still exists). If it turns out there's nothing amiss and support isn't needed there's no harm done, but I believe processes are taking longer these days so you want to push for professionals' opinions promptly.

Thank you so much for the replies. I will raise it with the HV at his 2 year check and see what she says.

Hey@BlondeEra do you have an update on you DS, so exactly like my situation and my DS was 2 in Jan too.

We have been referred to SLT and a child psychologist so just waiting. His Creche have flagged Autism with us because of his speech delay and he need grommet as he had glue ear, he has had them in since Feb.

He can do his whole alphabet and make the sounds and also can count from 1-20 and countdown 10-1. But has very limited words, she will say maddy for mammy, hello cat, good bye/see you later, but always has to be prompted and he points at every bus that drives past!