DD 18 months not talking

[osospecial]

Hi, I am not sure whether to be worried or not, DD is my first child so unsure if I am overreacting, she turns 18months next week
I am thinking of making an appointment for check up with HV due to the following reasons-
She does not talk much, only says dad and makes the sounds ssss and bbbb as if she is trying to say something else, she said dog+fish xmas time but not since, the delayed speech only worries me because of the other following reasons
She doesn't seem to understand if I ask her to fetch anything and doesn't point to things, although she will move my hand to something she wants.
A few people have commented that she is in her own world and you can call+call her but she only takes notice of you sometimes, she doesn't respond to her name much, and she doesn't have great eye contact, (only occasionally I mean) people have also askd me if she can hear ok but I think her hearing is fine because if her fav cartoon music comes on when she is in other room she hears it+runs in.
She does give big hugs so is affectionate that way.
Should I be worried or is she just independent and just a bit slow talking? Any advice greatly appreciated x

yeah I think talk thru your concerns with HV.
The normal spectrum is huge; the not pointing thing is the only thing that would worry me (a bit).

I agree, do go see your HV, it's probably fine and she is slow getting started and will catch up but it's best to make sure. Get your HV to refer you for a hearing test as your DD could have hearing issues or glue ear...which is much more likely than ASD. Glue ear comes and goes and hearing loss can effect different ranges of sounds IYSWIM so hearing music on tv doesn't mean she can hear everything else.

And don't worry too much, it really probably is nothing to fret about.

Hi thanx for both ur replies I think I will def get her hearing tested as what sockonmyhead said about it coming+going would make sense+also I have considered whether she can only hear certain ranges of sound but wasn't sure if it was possible so thanks, its def something to try and I can let the. HV know my concerns at the same time

I think you have nothing to lose by taking her to your HV. Lack of pointing and the using your hand as a tool are possible indicators of development problems, and might be connected with her lack of speech/understanding. But definitely get a hearing test done first to rule out any hearing problems or glue ear - if she does have hearing problems it would help explain a delay in understanding or speech.

My DD is 20 months, although she was 5 weeks prem, the youngest of 3...she sounds very similar to your DD. Do you have older children? I discussed my DD's behaviour and speech with the speech therapist at our toddler group, she says Mum, Dad, meeeow, starting to say a few other bits but not a lot at all really. She 'gets' me if she wants things will point to things in books. The speech therapists response was this is completly normal for this age, some talk some don't, lots of reading and persuading them to say things they want rather than guessing for them, waiting for 'ta' longer and longer each time you give them something but there is no rush. The difference is I have no concerns over my DD's hearing, she def hears the biscuit tin!
I'm sure your LO wil be fine, children develop at all different rates, you may find she starts and progress's very quickly as my DS did, now I can't keep him quiet! x

"the delayed speech only worries me because of the other following reasons
She doesn't seem to understand if I ask her to fetch anything and doesn't point to things, although she will move my hand to something she wants."

I think you are so right to focus on the possible problems with understanding/communication rather than the talking thing.

I agree with everyone else that you should push for a hearing test straight away.

I had two children with this kind of problem. Neither had hearing problems. It was a delay in their "receptive language" (ie their ability to understand language). My oldest son's problems just faded during his third year. My youngest son's problems were bigger, and only began to fade during his fourth year, and it took an enormous amount of work from me, backed by a very good nursery manager, to overcome the problems. But overcome them we did.

Please don't let the NHS tell you to "wait and see" about the hearing test.

Very best wishes, and Good luck.

Thanx both for the advice, I have arranged to speak to my HV on monday so I will ask her how to go about the hearing test as its def worth checking out although she definitely hears some things it may be something related.

Lingle-ur right its not just the lack of speaking that worries me alone as she is only just turned 18months+she may just be slow talker but the combination of other things aswell, at my last appointment with HV around 2months ago she asked if DD would understand if asked her to fetch her shoes or similar but I didn't think she would+she still wouldn't now, its def communication/understanding that worries me as well as the talking. I think I just need2 have her hearing tested+then go from there x

do post again if/when you've eliminated hearing. There's a wealth of experience on here.