Odd speech development - can't talk but can count and learning the alphabet !

[bringmeashrubbery]

I have posted about ds (2.5) before. He is not yet speaking, although I think he knows more than he is letting on. What is unusual is that he can now recite numbers 1 - 10, can read them, and is learning to count...he is also now cracking on with the alphabet and know up to about H.

I find it a bit odd - has anyone had any similiar experiences of speech development. He is waiting for an assessment from the CDT by the way.

Yes, my ds1 was exactly like this, could read his own name by about this age, knew the alphabet, counting etc but wasn't actually speaking much. He could tell the time on an analogue clock before he was 3! His speech did gradually improve although he was about 4 1/2 before he properly caught up. Autism was strongly suspected but he was assessed and we were told he wasn't diagnosable as autistic. He's now 7 and I would definitely say he wasn't autistic! Interestingly, although his reading and other skills were very early and we were all thinking he was going to be gifted etc I wouldn't now say he was. He is certainly doing very well academically, but not MENSA level or anything!

One word of caution though, if you do any letters with him, it's important to teach them phonetically (a, buh, cuh) rather than by their proper names (ay, bee, see etc) or it can hinder their reading later on.

Hmmm,a little odd although it can happen.
Will your CDT assessment be a multi disciplinary one?
Have you other concerns?

(Am a salt btw.)

DaisyMoo - thanks for advice re phonetic lettering - I did wonder about that.

Moondog. His assessment will be multi disciplinary. The HV redid his 2 year check a few weeks ago and he has come on in all areas apart from speech. He was apparently a bit low on fine motor skills, although I couldn't see it myself.

He's a very quiet child generally - likes being read to a lot. Likes his sleep and sometimes doesn't want to get up ! Doesn't like his sister (16m) getting too boisterous. In fact, he rather gets the hump if she is too loud and gets upset if she is crying. Not sure if I am concerned. I partly think he is just a quiet child and it will all come when he is ready, but I do worry sometimes.

It sounds similar to my ds1. He didn't speak until he was 3ish but would read out letters, words, numbers etc. Ds1 is autistic but obviously this doesn't mean that your ds is. It's good that he is being assessed though as it will either reassure you that everything is okay or will help you to get any help that he might need.

How's his communication otherwise? Does he point to show you things of interest for example? Being able to recite the alphabet before being able to speak isn't a concern alone, only in combination with other things. DS1 could read/count/knew shapes like trapezium etc aged 2 but couldn't talk, (and still can't talk aged 7), but he showed signs of problems in other ways like not being able to point, or follow a point and finding adult directed attention very hard.

DS2 was a late talker, but had no problems with things like poiting/general communication and he's fine.

Sounds very like my DS who is 3. Have posted about concerns with him before as he is very intellectualy advanced but his speech is behind although he can count to 50, recite alphabet/recognise letters and general ahead of his peers in a lot of ways. However he used to refuse to speak to them as he was not understood. He also hates loud noises such as DDs crying or the hoover etc and will get caught up on something. So far nobody is overly concerned. He has a second SALT appointment in a couple of weeks but other than that think hv etc have decided he may just be a quiet boy with his funny ways.

JImjams - He doesn't point much, but tends to do it when encouraged, and can follow an adult's point easily enough.

He seems to pick and choose when he responds to direction/instruction from me - but I am sure this is typical of any 2 year old.

Nemo - yes our ds's do sound alike. He isn't worried by the hoover though, he just gets distressed when his sister cries - has done so since she was born...

How's his play? How does he respond if you try and sit down and play with him? Do you know how long you will have to wait for the CDC appointment? It's good its multidisciplinary. Helps to get everything done at once. Presumably they'll do hearing etc at the same time?

His play is ok but not brill. For example, now dd is asleep so I have got a few things out for him to do and he has rather half heartedly brummed a few cars and fiddled about with some toy animals. He is currently looking at a Thomas book (an alphabet one so he is interested in that). He seems to get bored very quickly with his toys and I feel a constant need to try and keep him occupied/entertained although I know that children should be left to develop their own play. Having said all that, he does respond well to new things and doesn't appear to be shy in any way - just quiet.

We have been waiting since last Sept for the appointment. HV came a few weeks ago and has pestered them a bit (she is one of the good ones !) and says he is 'nearing the top of the list'. He has already had his hearing done which was perfect.