My ds is 3 years and 2 months old and I'm worried about his ability to talk and his behaviour. He can say single words like different animals, objects (like book, ball, train, car, different toys, household items), different food items. He knows the colours and can count to twenty and knows the alphabet. He can answer basic factual questions “What is this?” “What colour is this?” giving one word answers and can repeat things on tv or stories from memory but doesn’t really say anything that is his own idea. He will bring the correct book if we ask "bring postman bear" for example. Pronunciation is quite poor. Alot sounds like gibberish. Like he was in the bath and I think he was repeating the gruffalo book aloud but most was gibberish and could only make out words like big bad mouse and gruffalo. He doesn’t really use words to communicate, just makes moans and grunts. Only exception so far is he can point to the drawing set and say “painting” when he wants to draw. He doesn't say hungry, thirsty, tired or toilet to communicate needs to us. So he isn't potty trained. He pees on the toilet in the morning or during the day occasionally if we manage to take him at the right time. He seems to never respond to his name and seems to only obey when it is something he wants to do anyway.
He can assemble 20 - 35 piece jigsaw puzzles on his own and do tablet games. He is very energetic and loves to run around or jump on sofa and climb on furniture. He is just starting to understand tidying up and sometimes helps if he sees you put things away. He doesn't engage in compulsive sorting. He has no problem with noise, physical contact with people and affection. He does like some things repeatedly like reading certain books.
If he has a tantrum he will fall to the floor and groan or say “help me, help me”. He can be happy running around, fall and maybe will go into tantrum mode for 30 min or will be just fine. It is hard to predict.
He hasn’t had contact with other children because of coronavirus lockdown and I am a sahm so he is not in nursery.
I don’t know if this is any indication of a problem or he is just a very stubborn child who’s a bit behind with communication.
I try to talk lots during the day, explaining what I am doing. We read everyday to him. Do paintings, playdoh, stickers, lego and trains with him. Trying to do simple games with him like pop up dragon game but he doesn't understand taking turns. We take him for walks outside and he runs arounds and like to pick up things like flowers. He isn't that interested in swings and slides. Is there anything else we could be doing? I'm worried I am not doing enough/ because I'm a bad mother.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any advice? He was supposed to have a hearing test last year but it was cancelled due to coronavirus. I don't think it's his hearing. Then later last year they put us on waiting list for speech therapy and it starts at the end of next February with online group sessions. Is there anyone else we can see? Should we privately see a speech therapist or child psychologist or something? Thank you for reading and appreciate any advice.