DS is 2.3 and very full-on and high energy, always has been. He has a speech delay but understands absolutely everything, just doesn't seem keen to verbalise which is frustrating but reassuring in that the understanding is in place iyswim.
We have seen a S.A.L.T. who believes his attention span is too poor for him to be placed in a language group just yet so we have been working on that, playing structured games, turn taking etc. She said it is very common in children of his age as they are still learning to concentrate etc. His concentration is only great when he is doing something he likes, listening to stories or counting, playing with cars for example, but his eye contact is also very poor, just because he is constantly so busy and excitable and interested in everything around him. These are obviously factors which could be affecting his speech development.
He is also very confident and sociable and never shy around adults as he has been used to all of our friends and extended family making a fuss of him from a young age.
We went to see a paediatrician yesterday as he also has suspected glue ear. She tested his hearing and believes all is fine but did notice that on occasions he was obviously hearing the noise but ignoring it as he was occupied with play. He does this quite often, if I am talking to him and there is something more interesting going on. She commented that he was obviously a bright little boy but very very busy and asked if we had had his development checked.
At this point he was running in circles round the room, grabbing at everything in sight but obviously, everything was new and exciting for him and he had been cooped up in the waiting room for half an hour previously and then sitting very well to carry out the tests. We are consistent with discipline (as much as we can be with a two year old) but he does have a lot of freedom around the house and garden and is a very physical, rough and tumble child.
The Health Visitor was happy with his development aside from speech when he turned two, which I explained, but she asked if we would like him referred for further checks. I'm sure she is suggesting he may have ADHD.
We eventually compromised in that she will ring the HV who will come out to us and check on him in a few months. Now obviously she is a professional and knows what she is talking about but to me, my son is just an ordinary, albeit active two year old.
I am really not keen to have him labelled with something like this aged two as I think it will have negtive repercussions when he starts school etc and it's still entirely possible that his development is just not as good as others of his age without it meaning he has a medical condition. Should I go along with the referral and get another opinion or do I have the right to refuse and give him more time to improve if he needs it? What will it mean if he does get diagnosed with ADHD? I'm entirely clueless as to where we go from here.