Red section for speech and language assestment

[Savannah13nbump]

My lo is 15 months no words yet, which I wasn't concerned about, but he has no understanding of simple commands, give mummy car for example, if I ask him where anything is unless it's daddy, cat or dimming he just looks aimlessly around, so contacted hv for advice they came and did an assessment, he scored 4 out of 10 so in a red area, which means he has a delay, 18 week wait for referral, could he still catch up, what does this mean for my little man?

No-one is really able to answer that until he has been individually assessed by a SaLT (Speech and Language Therapist). It could be that he is just a little bit delayed and might have a spurt before he is even seen, right through to him having a real speech and language disorder, but it is not possible for anyone to tell from the information you have given.
The Talking Point / iCan website is worth a read - it has lots of hints and tips of things you can be doing over the next 18weeks to see if you can make a difference, and (I haven't looked tonight, but you can have a mooch around the site) they used to have a freephone number you could call and arrange to talk to a SaLT who will give you some strategies, tips, and advice to try with your LO at home. [smile

As back says, it could be everything from showing a severe delay that won't catch up (unlikely if he's developing normally in every other way) to starts speaking next week!
What I would do is go to the GP and request a referral to ENT for a hearing test. There's likely to be a waiting list for that too, and there's a good chance the first thing SALT will say is ask if he's had a hearing check, so might as well get ahead of the game there.

If he does have a hearing issue the chances are it's glue ear, which is non-permanent, and they usually grow out of it. Does he get ear infections, which can be one sign of it?

Great advice to go and ask for a hearing test.

Thank you all so much, the hv asked about his hearing I said I think it's fine, but did ask for a referral Incase so she has put that forward, it's just so hard with it being a waiting game to know how I can help him, I looked on the Ican website but couldn't find any activities but I'll check your link out, he's a very bosterious boy aswell so very busy walking, running and climbing!

Sorry Savannah I should have linked to the Talking Point Page
It lets you know what a 'typically developing' child will start to do within a certain age range, and links to how you can access advice.

Thank you very much, I did see this page but I get so confused as they say by 18 months they should do x y and z but my lo is only 15minths and 3 months is a long time for babies, my older child has selective mutism and I'm working so hard helping her but understand all types of conditions the earlier u spot it the better, quite frustrating with waiting times as if he does have a severe delay with 18 weeks till the initial assessment when I wat to be helping him now, the unknown is so stressful, I really appreiciate all your help

That's why they let you make an appointment for a phone consultation with a therapist.

The reason they will only put a "between 12 and 18months" guide is because all children develop differently of course, and they don't want people getting upset if their child hasn't achieved X or Y at 14m or 15m or 16m etc.