16 mo Development concerns

[Lymphy]

Hi,
This is my first time posting, and I'm hoping there may be parents who have experienced similar to me who might not mind sharing their experiences,
My little boy is 16 mo, he's my first and only child. I've had some concerns regarding his development recently, He doesn't walk, he can't pull to standing, can't stand unaided, if he is holding onto furniture it's for a few seconds before he falls ( obvs I'm there to catch), he says no words but does babble, he doesn't look if I point at objects, he sometimes engages with me if we play but most of the time it's like I'm not there at all, if I call his name he very rarely looks up or turns, however if a song he knows comes on the TV or radio he turns right away. He did previously shake his head for "no", wave hello and bye, he would hold up a finger when I asked how old he is, he no longer does these things. If I add where's mum, dad, granny ect he doesn't react or appears to not hear. He is such a happy boy, he smiles at us all the time, he walks around if we hold his hand and loves to move toys and things from one place to another,
I feel he is not where he should be at this stage, he was unwell in hospital a few weeks ago and the dr called him a toddler, that's when it hit me that there may be something up, as to me he is still very much at baby stage and I wouldn't describe him as a toddler even though he is ( if that makes sense). I'm going to check with HV ASAP but I'm wondering if anyone has experienced similar
Thanks for reading apologies for the essay xx

Speak to your hv. It might just be that he is developing in his own time although what you said about him still being very much a baby In your eyes struck a chord with me regarding my little nephew. He is on the autistic spectrum, and the happiest most adorable boy there is. I wouldn't change him for the world.
He hit all of his milestones but in his own time and quite s not later than the normal range. The point is he has hit them,
I hope it goes well for you

My ds is 16m too it's only the last week or 2 he's started to pull himself up and walk etc. He has also started to copy our words more like hello hiya yes calling his brothers names, none of which he was doing a few weeks ago.
Speak to your HV about your concerns and ask them to check his hearing too.

Thankyou both for taking the time to reply, uhoh im hoping for similar tbh and that he'll have a development spurt ( then I'll be posting for sanity advice!) and all will be hunky dory, it's just a niggling feeling I have that things aren't quite right, like I said when the Dr called him a toddler it hit like a brick, if there is something there I want to put things in place sooner rather than later. 3littlebadgers you're nephew sounds like my boy, so happy and enjoys life everyday that's all that counts in the end xx

I remember feeling that way when the HV came to do his 12m check he was doing hardly anything, I think there is probably lots of 16mo doing loads more than he is at the moment but I try not to worry about it. He's a happy and healthy little boy so I keep that at the front of my mind.

I'd be concerned too esp as he regressed (indicating no, waving bye bye etc).

I would speak to GP rather than HV (bitter experience). Get a hearing test sorted for starters.

your posts reads a bit as if you may worry about ASD.

google M-chat and take the test and see if it flags up anything. if so, discuss with GP as well.

Yeah, if there is something going on I think I'd expect an ASD diagnosis more than other reasons, there's a history of dyspraxia on my side but his fine motor skills are great and don't seem to tally up with that, that being said it could be something or nothing but I'd be keen to get him reviewed by someone with more knowledge than myself to either confirm something or give the all clear, thanks do much for all your input, I was half expecting to be told to get a grip!! I really appreciate the advice, and experiences shared, he has been admitted a few times because of his chest so GP knows him quite well so that might be a good idea to go there rather than HV x

The regression would worry me more than anything, I think. I would agree that a chat with the GP would be more helpful than seeing the HV.

He may have glue ear - or just in the one - hence he sometimes hears - would tie in with the lack of speech

DD didn't walk til she was 18 months - just didn't want to!! She bright and able!

I've just done the online screening toolkit and it came out as high so I'll mention that as well, thanks I wouldn't have known about that x

Was he late to sit unaided?
Did he/does he crawl?

My son was premature, not hugely, but enough (7 weeks), he was late to sit, late to crawl, great babble but very few words.

He started walking unaided at 18 months adjusted age (so about 20 months old) at 16 months he just started pulling himself up and couldn't walk holding our hands. Physio has seen him and declared him to have 'all the markers of walking' so wasn't worried.

We have had a couple of phases of me thinking he had learnt something and then him not doing it again, it may have been me reading too much into an action.

There is a family history of dyspraxia here too.

Now he is walking, everything else is coming on in leaps and bounds, family that haven't seen him for a few weeks can't believe how fast he is developing.

Remember that it's always those that do it first that shout the loudest, 16 months is still a perfectly normal age to not be walking.

Please get his ears Checked out, if he has glue ear they might not diagnose it until he's between 2 and 3.

My DC didn't walk until 21 months so please don't panic.

Thanks again, yes I'll get the hearing looked at as well that hadn't occurred to me until I posted mainly because he can here a packet of milky buttons being opened from any distance apparently! He doesn't crawl, he started bum shuffling about 2 months ago, he doesn't really roll but he can roll, he sat unaided from 6 months. I think they act if no walking by 18 months ( I may be wrong) so that doesn't bother me as much, the regression and not engaging in joint play and lack of responce bothers me more. Today after posting my friends called over with there yappy dogs, he cried at the noise which I get, new noise quite loud etc however he didn't move closer or look at me or his dad for help, I picked him up and settled him, he just seems a bit detached. Saying all this he's great with other children, he loves being around other kids, he's great at eating with cutlery and fingers so there's lots he does do there just seems to be an equal amount that he's not xx

Sorry to go on about hearing again - DS could hear - imagine if you stand in Asda and listen to the noise - general chatter humming machines tills - stand and listen rather than in your own world - and this is what DS could hear - not picking out one voice or sound - just general noise - he would cry in the playground when the kids came out after school so really loud back groud noise - so dogs barking would upset him -

Being deaf would make him hard to communicate

No it's fine, that's why I posted, I was hoping for a range of options that I may not have considered, I will most certainly get his hearing checked, if he hears certain tones and pitches more prominently than others than this would absolutely contribute and explain a lot

Lymphy my DC could hear a packet of crisps opening no problem, but couldn't make out words and I'd shout her name as loud as I could in public and nope wouldn't look at me at all.

About 3 months ago she finally had her grommets put in and the change in her has been astounding.

They don't always act at 18 months if the child isn't walking, my DC didn't walk until 21 months and the Hvs didn't refer her for anything apart from the hearing tests that didn't start until after she was 2.

I've had a look at the audiology service website they don't accept self referrals from parents, so I'll get on to gp about that, at his 12 mo check she had said that if there is no walking at 18 mo it's an automatic paeds referral for boys 2 years for girls who aren't walking, it stuck as I thought it would be the other way round. If it's hearing related such as glue ear then that would be a bit of a relief, so glad you saw vast improvement in your little one X

Just to update, I took my boy to nursery on Monday as usual, I asked if they had any concerns about him, they said yes they had, they had wanted to tell me earlier however he was admitted to hospital for a week with pneumonia and didn't want to add to my full plate at that time, they said they were going to ask for a chat at the end of the week. I asked them if they wouldn't mind writing there concerns down for me to show gp & HV. I have a GP appointment tomorrow ( he's still not right from his hospital stay so wanted him checked anyway) I'm also going to explain my concerns and ask for a hearing screen. HV is coming to my home next week to observe him and also to nursery to observe there as well. Today when I collected him from nursery they had typed up their concerns, it's heartbreaking as a mum to read, they have said amongst my concerns that he doesn't interact or acknowledge other children or adults he doesn't play with others either, that was hard to read, I can't get the image of him sitting alone playing out of my head they are also concerned he makes no effort to feed himself ( he does ok at home??) doesn't seek comfort and makes little noise, it's so awful reading this about my little man

I'm glad you're seeking advice from HV. Just one thing to add, 16 month olds don't 'play with others'. They will often play alongside others but not with. They're simply not in that stage of development yet so don't sit and worry about him sitting on his own, it's a heartbreaking thought for a mum, I know.

Thank you, you're right, it still stings a little seeing it written so matter of fact, I'm glad whatever is going on has been picked up fairly early so we shall see xx

Reading your reply has really helped, I'll be honest my deepest fear is he won't speak, but then I have a word with myself and remember I don't even know what the issue is or if there is one yet!! I'm so pleased your boy is talking and progressing, the GP said today that if HV didn't refer to paeds then to call and he would do it, I didn't even have to mention a referral he offered it straight away which is great x

Hi Lymphy

My little boy only babbled at that age first words only emerged at 19th months but now at just turned three he has 400+ words, talks in sentences, asks questions etc. He is still developmentally delayed (did not walk properly until 2.2) but he has come a long way.

Getting the referral will definitely help. My boy's paediatrician referred us to Portage, Physio and Ed Psych and he now gets some 1:1 support at nursery- their support has been fantastic.

Good luck

It's so reassuring hearing the positive outcomes! Can I ask if you don't mind was your little one delayed with eating? I try an array of finger foods bite size nibbles everyday most of the time he refuses them and they end up on the floor, he does well with veg as long as it's mashed, he wouldn't entertain a stick of broccoli or carrot but mashed up not a problem x