Advice for my 28 month old

[PenguinClub123]

hi there. i’m looking for some advice. my little boy is 28 months old.

and i have raised things in the past that my health visitor hasn’t seemed too worried about.

there are a few concerns one of them being that he doesn’t point at things still. and doesn’t really show me he’s interested or look at my reaction for things. (eg, if i’m like oh look at something in a book he won’t look at my face or be interested in what im pointing at)
he doesn’t really communicate. he can say words as in he can name animals count to 10 and say colours, and knows words like juice etc but for example if he wants more juice he won’t bring me his cup or juice bottle and say juice. he will grab my hand and take me to the cup and put my hand on it. he does this with a few different scenarios. but he does understand what i say to him.
he doesn’t play how children his age typically play, for example he lines his cars up. his books. even in the bath or shower he will grab the shampoos and other bottles and line them up. i mean it doesn’t bother me because he is happy doing it ☺️ and if a try to play with him he will take the toys off me to line them up.
he doesn’t like crowds at all. and certain food textures he doesn’t like. he does give eye contact but it’s limited and the same with responding to his name. also he shakes his head a lot or spins/runs in circles. and always not been the best sleeper. hasn’t been napping since 12months. also has to constantly be touching me in some way. whether that’s by leaning on me, his feet touching me or climbing all over me. he’s a very hyper child and very busy. and had to have random small objects in his hand or both hands all the time

but on the other hand he’s a very happy little boy. has reached all physical milestones, happy playing on his own and doing his thing.

should i raise this with the health visitor again? i dont know whether speech therapy would be good. or is it just me being an anxious mum

sorry im new to this and not sure what forum to post on

thank you xx

I’d go to your GP and tell them what you have outlined here. A referral to a Paediatrician and Speech and Language would be appropriate.
Does he attend a childcare setting?

He absolutely needs assessment ... start with GP, listing what you have said here, and ask for referral to the paediatrician.
It may be nothing, but he has quite a few red flags which would warrant an autism assessment.

I agree with this @PenguinClub123

It does sound like your little boy needs an assessment for autism. And please don't feel fearful of this. If he is autistic, an early diagnosis will be of great benefit.

that’s what my thoughts are. and i just want to know if this is what we need and to get him an assessment but last time i spoke to my health visitor they said that he was too young to do a referral for both autism and a speech and language referral

thanks so much for your input everyone x

Bypass the HV and go straight to the GP.
He is NOT too young to be assessed (and you may have to wait a while to see a Paediatrician)
I work in Special Education and two of my own four children (now adults) have autism ..one 'high functioning' and the other less able (went to the special school I work at) and the earlier you can get seen the better. Speech and language tend to have long waiting lists, so again the earlier you can get into 'the system' the better.
The fact that he has some speech, even if he isn't using it directly to communicate with you is great, but it sounds like there are social communication issues there.
As another poster said, it's not all gloom and doom. My DS2 had no speech at all til 5, and no one outside the family could understand him until he was about 8, but dear Lord he talks a lot these days.
I work with 4-6 year olds, all of whom have autism. Some are non verbal, most in nappies and there is an amazing array of behaviours and abilities... and they make progress :) But the earlier they are assessed the better. If your son is found to have significant support needs... FIGHT. Straight away... for an EHCP, for the right school placement, for everything. Don't let anyone tell you 'wait and see' .

@PenguinClub123 Lining up toys is perfectly normal. Lots of toddlers do it. Easy to read up on why they do it. I cannot make any comment on the other behaviours but he’s not 2 1/2 yet so they won’t think he’s got speech delay - yet. He is speaking.