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Im worried about my 19 month old......

8 replies

crikeybill · 13/02/2013 14:18

My 19 month old DS doesnt talk. At all. Not one single identifiable in context word.
He likes to baby babble occasionally. He says da da da but Its not in context. He's never said mum Sad

He points or makes a grunting noise when he wants something.
He seems to understand what I say, will follow simple instructions but he gives me nothing back Sad

He wont read with me. if I try to point things out in a book or ask him too he gets annoyed and tries to chuck the book. If I try to get him to point out body parts he wont do it.

He was a little slower then usual rolling, crawling ( he didn't, he skidded backwards round the floor on his back ! ) and walking ( 15 months)

My DH is convinced there is some sort of developmental delay. he thinks there is something "wrong with him". I then get very defensive and tell him babies develop at different rates but now I actually am worried.

I have seen the HV. She has referred him for a hearing test. He also appears to have one eye bigger then the other that droops slightly when he is tired so she has referred him for a sight test too.

He does have quite a temper. He is sociable with us but hates new people at first. he is very......meticulous with his toys. Everything in one place, cars must be in a certain box, goes mad if you try and put something else in etc. He also hides his car toys repeatedly under the sofa and behind the cushions until they are all gone ??????? EVERY DAY !!!

Should I be worried ? What could be wrong ??

OP posts:
MrsMarigold · 13/02/2013 14:25

My DS is 20 months and very meticulous and get angry easily too. He doesn't say much either but I'm not worried he never been chatty as a baby he never babbled.

He always takes all the lego bricks apart when clearing up and they have to go in the lego box. He went to a stay and play and one mum made a tower with blocks with pictures of animals on - the top brick was the wrong way round as he walked past he just put it the right way up.

They sound similar which is reassuring for both of us. Smile

Tee2072 · 13/02/2013 14:26

There's nothing wrong with him, he's still a baby. Does he understand what you say to him and follow basic directions?

DragonMamma · 13/02/2013 14:29

My DS is slightly older at 21mo but didn't say much until recently. He was talking but completely stopped for 2 months but the HV wasn't unduly worried. He would always make the appropriate animal noises to match his books etc though!

A friends DC is 2.5 and doesnt say a single word. He goes to nursery but hasn't said anything. Only now has he been referred on to investigate so it's pretty normal.

Bakingtins · 13/02/2013 14:34

I don't think the physical milestones sound out of the ordinary - my son didn't walk until 16m and the docs weren't going to worry at all until he was 18m.
The communication does sound like an issue. this website Talking Point is very useful for checklists of normal and what to do if you are concerned. In addition to the hearing tests, I'd be asking to be put on a waiting list for speech therapy assessment. They often don't see children until they are two, but hopefully you can be seen shortly after that if you still have concerns. You can cancel the appointment if he has suddenly started speaking loads, but that's better than still being concerned then and being at the end of the waiting list.
Your HV or GP should be able to perform a CHAT test which is a screening test for children at risk of developing social and communication problems e.g. autism and if they are concerned refer you to a paediatrician. More info http://www.autism.org.uk/working-with/health/screening-and-diagnosis/checklist-for-autism-in-toddlers-chat.aspx
If you have concerns, it's better to address them now and if necessary get extra support, if they all turn out to be normal you can stop worrying.

crikeybill · 13/02/2013 14:38

Thank you all and I will have a look at that link thanks bakingtins

Tee he does follow basic instructions I guess. Ie lets get in the bath - will go to the bathroom. Get in the pushchair - he will trot off to it. Time for bed - he heads for the stairs.
He wont fetch iykwim ? IE get me your shoes, get me your bottle etc. he just ignores me lol.

He wont point things out to me either.

Its like he understands me but has no desire to communicate with me at all unless he wants me to do something, like pick him up, pass him something etc.

I guess he's just lazy Grin

Thanks.

OP posts:
Imnotaslimjim · 13/02/2013 14:42

Please try not to worry too much. My DS was like that, almost exactly. We had a hearing test, eye test and reffered for speech therapy. The day before we were due to go to SALT, he brought me the phone and said "Ring daddy" so I did, and he chattered away at his daddy, and hasn't shut up since! It took him about 6 months to be able to talk properly, but we didn't need SALT intervention in the end

He has been recently diagnosed with dyspraxia, hence the delay in crawling/walking etc but other than that, hes at the same level as his peers

Imnotaslimjim · 13/02/2013 14:43

Just read your last post - when giving instructions, try and be more specfic. I found DS didn't do anything if I said "get your shoes" but would if I said "bring your shoes to mummy"

DragonMamma · 13/02/2013 14:52

I agree with iamnotaslimjim - I've found being really specific helps 'X, go under the stairs and bring Mammy your Thomas wellies' etc worked far better than, 'go and get your wellies'

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