DD2 lost words, passed hearing test, can't stop worrying though!

[CharCharGabor]

Hi, I posted about DD2 last month whilst waiting for her hearing test. She began to talk at around 13 months and acquired about 5 words. Since then she has gradually stopped using all of the words bar Haaa for hello and goodbye and Leh for yes, which is only used when asking for a breastfeed. She also signs down but hasn't picked up any other signs. She just began to point a month ago and does use it a few times a day but not as often as I would expect. She will occasionally follow a point. however, a lot of the time it feels like she just ignores me :(

She had a hearing test at the start of October which showed there was no issue with her hearing. This surprised me as tbh she does act as if she often does not hear us. I can't say she reacts to her name all that much, it often takes a fair few goes/touching her arm. She also wanders a lot and doesn't spend a lot of time sitting down and playing/engaging. She seems in her own world at times, especially at toddler groups. I am aware though that this is quite normal for toddlers and I know I am thinking too much. She is sociable and likes to babble nonsense at me/family/friends/strangers. Her eye contact seems good but it is hard to get her attention. She is very independent, not really bothered about checking where I am for extended periods but at the same time is occasionally clingy.

She babbles all the time, in fact for a child who has no words she talks all the time! It looks like she is communicating and I'm sure she knows what she's on about but I've no idea. She cannot/won't mimic any words or sounds. She has also just started walking on tiptoes about half of the time which she didn't do before although I know that may be because she's just playing around with what she can do.

Well, after all that waffle, I'm not really sure what I want from this post! I am worried tbh and it is in my head all the time so it is good to get it all out. DD2 has been referred to the SALT which I'm glad about as the waiting list is long. I am sure that I am thinking and worrying far too much and need to relax and let nature take its course but I just can't help it! Thanks to anyone who got this far :)

I'd really encourage you to swap concerns with each other. I went through pre- dx worries with a mum from ukparents (it was pre Mumsnet!) and it was a big support having someone else who a) understood b) was going through the same thing at the same time and c) also wanted to talk about it.

Thinking of both of you!

Hi eskimomama :) please do join in and share your concerns,I have found it really helpful. I identify with hoping it was the hearing, I felt the same way as well as I felt that was simpler and possibly easy to fix. I was disappointed when dd passed it tbh, although I know that sounds awful. I will cross my fingers that your appointments go well :)

I agree that it's helpful jimjams, I find that other than DP other people don't want to talk about it, it seems to make them feel uncomfortable so being able to talk freely here is great.

Well, I rang my hv, didn't get the home visit I wanted, probably as my area is v understaffed atm. But she did listen to my concerns and got in touch with
portage and dd has been referred today. I don't know much about portage, I thought it was more for children with dx/more severe issues. Anyone who has any more information? Would this be something that could be relevant for dd? Apparently their first step is to assess anyway though so will find out i suppose. I also need to see the GP which tbh I have been putting off, need to write my list of concerns and get an appt booked.

Dd is still signing more and down and has once attempted drink which I feel is quite positive. She also now seems to understand the meaning of more when I say it without the sign, which I can't really say is true about any other word I say. So maybe she can process a word with a visual cue but not without? I don't know.

Still no real other progress in any other area. I am still obsessing, worried, frightened, overwhelmed and tearful (too many adjectives but ykwim). Just to wait now for her salt and portage referrals and see what happens.

There is a large thread on SN o parents waiting for dx, you both might find it helpful and anyone is welcome

Thanks Lisa :) I haven't managed to find the thread yet but am having a little read so am sure it will turn up!

Hi charchar,
Just read through your posts on this thread. And sounding terrible familiar. (except to toe walking, my dd2 wasnt walking until 20months) Please don't put of the GP appointment. Write down all your concerns and take it with you. If your dd is not hitting developmental milestones as she should be then I would think that gives them reason to assess.
My dd2 was assessed for her 2 yr check early, (about 2 months before) as she wasn't hitting any milestones past the age of 18 months.
Portage are amazing. They will come to you and work with dd for an hour, and leave things with you to try, and work on with dd.
This may sound like an odd question but When your daughter makes eye contact is it on your terms or hers? And does it feel right? (my dd2 is currently partway through an assessment for ASD, but when she looks at me it is as though she is looking at my cheek bones rather than into my eyes, and it is not the same as when my dd1 looks at me).

here threads move quick in SN, might want to start your own anyways as some of the SN parents dont come on main boards anymore

Nipping back into this thread, sorry for long absences, still finding it hard to get my head around it :)

Thank you for your post Vera. DD's eye contact is very up and down, sometimes I feel like it is ok but at others she is very difficult to engage. She does sometimes look at my cheekbone instead of eyes and does look away quite quickly. Most interaction is very much on her terms, she will just ignore you if she's not interested.

Thank you for the link to the thread Lisa, will pop in and have a look :)

Well, dd has an appointment for a SALT screening on 7th December. Her understanding has not improved at all since I last posted. She has started to occasionally repeat the word ball, but it is not in context and not instigated by her. Still can't follow simple instructions, can point to her hair and nose but that is because DP spent a lot of time signing where and body parts with her. She doesn't understand the other body parts without us showing her first. She does seem to be engaging a little bit better but still not great.