Failed 8 month development check

[Bumblelion]

My dd who is now 8 1/2 months had her 8 month development check last week and "failed". She is my third baby and I know all babies develop at different rates but neither of my other two "failed".

First she failed her hearing test on the right hand side and they are referring her for this. She doesn't sit up unaided although does when propped. My dd head is slightly crooked (although she is still beautiful). When I say crooked, no-one has actually noticed it until I point it out to them but her forehead is slightly more pronounced on the right hand side and the back of her head is slightly more pronounced on the left hand side (if you can work that out). She looks fine and when I had her checked at the doctors about this, they also said she was fine and it would straighten.

My health visitor mentioned last week at her 8 month check that she feels her whole body "is on the wonk" (her words, not mine) and she wants her checked out further. This didn't upset me too much although, when I gave her her baby Thursday night, I must admit I did lay her on her front and back and checked to see if perhaps she was a bit crooked but I have to say her spine seems perfectly straight.

She is such a happy baby and very content but still sleeps a lot (about 19 hours out of every 24). It is as though she is still a new-born and hasn't adjusted to being born yet if you know what I mean.

She failed her gross motor skills and her fine motor skills and they are referring her.

What sort of checks would they now do and how can I help her develop naturally. She failed her gross motor skills because of not sitting up straight unaided and failed her fine motor skills because when they shook a rattle in front of her she didn't "grab" it, although she did take it when placed in her hand but then lost interest in it.

Anyone else's child "failed" a development check and, if so, what was the ultimate outcome?

Thanks for listening.

Really pleased on your behalf - it's been a long haul, hasn't it? I'll be thinking of you and dd on 23rd

Thank you for all your kind comments. I feel so much happier now he has moved out. I feel I can now get on with my life and it is better for everyone all round, my children included.

My gut instinct regarding Sasha is that she is okay. Believe me, I am not in denial and if there are any problems with her then I will deal with her but as I said before she has come on so much recently. It is funny(!), even the thought that there might be something wrong just makes me love her all the more and makes me even more protective of her (if that is at all possible).

I will keep you up to date of developments.

That's great Bumblelion, and will be thinking of you and dd when the scan is due.

Thats good news all round then bumblelion, glad to hear it

Bumblelion, glad to hear things are more cheerful now and that Sasha is catching up. All the best for the scan on Monday.

Have just had an appointment to see the local paediatrician again about Anna. She still shows no sign of moving off from her permanent sitting position (age now 16 months). However, she has started waving bye and seems to be developing in other areas, so am still hopeful. It's just when she is with other children her age, she is so obviously behind them.

Sasha had her brain scan last Monday and I got the results yesterday afternoon.

She had to go back to our local hospital as a follow-up at the developmental clinic and they were also going to give us the results of the scan then.

Firstly, they are quite impressed at her development over the last 8 weeks since they last saw her - now sitting up without support (although cannot get into sitting position) and standing unaided - only holding onto my fingers for balance. Will sort of walk around the furniture (more of a shuffle, only one or two steps) and will "walk" if I lean her towards me.

They want to see her in 3 months as a follow-up again (although they have no appointments until 4 months time!).

Secondly, her brain scan. She has got synostosis in one of the (8) plates and this is causing a slight indentation on the left hand side of head head, just in front of her ear, from middle of head to ear level. The brain scan showed that this is not actually affecting her brain and no damage was visible although they are still referring her to the cranio-facial consultant at Great Ormond Street Hosital just as a precaution.

I don't think Sasha's head will need operating on as the doctor we saw yesterday thought her head looked so much better than last time she saw her.

Although she has got synostosis on the left hand side, it is her right hand forehead that has the slight bulge (apparently the head bulges - if that is the right word - in the opposite area to where the synostosis is) but the doctor said that she thought her head looked so much better - not that it looked that bad before.

Will post more as and when we have the referral to Great Ormond Street.

It's so good to hear that you have a diagnosis and the doctors are as pleased with her progress as you are, Bumblelion. Hope you get similar good news at GOSH and that surgery for her doesn't prove necessary.

I'm really pleased for you and Sasha

Sobernow, I totally agree with you. Sasha is my 3rd and why does everyone expect all children to develop at the same age. My eldest walked at 11 months (which is how old Sasha is now) but my son didn't walk until he was well over a year. Not all babies are "text book" babies and they all develop in their own time. As long as they eventually get there, who cares how long it takes them. Sasha is so proud of herself when you ask her to pull her funny face - screwing nose and eyes up - when she does it, she just beams and looks so pleased with herself.

Bumblelion, so pleased that you received such positive feedback about Sasha. And you are so right about 'milestones', all babies are different - I was concerned about ds not walking until 15 months, now at 2.5 years he is leaping from the top of the sofa ...

Look forward to meeting you tomorrow Jodee - I won't be late!

Lots of best wishes, Bumblelion and Sasha (lovely name too!)

Glad to hear you had positive news from the consultant, bumblelion, hope Sasha continues to improve, jemw

Glad the consultant is so positive about Sasha and she really sounds like she is developing fast. Hope she does not need to have any surgery.

Quick (long update). Sasha is now 6 (how time flies) and diagnosed with Sotos syndrome which causes overgrowth and delayed development.

Reading back on these messages has given me strength in that I can now see how far she has come in 5 years. It took us 3 years to finally get a diagnosis. She goes to mainstream school (with 1 to 1 help) and does everything that a 6 year old does - swims, socialises, jumps, plays (great imaginative play).

Reading back through these messages, on one hand it is quite upsetting to recall those feelings but, on the other hand, it is fulfilling to see how far she has come.

She is still slightly "behind" (delayed development) but it does seem that she is reaching every milestone (walking, talking, reading), albeit it at her own pace.

I am not sure why I am posting a comment on such an old thread but, looking back over the years, she (and I) have struggled but have had lots of input (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language et al) and she has come on so far.

We are all aware of children with a genetic condition that is well known but there are also lots of other conditions out there that we are not even aware of until we come across them.

What I am also trying to say is that sometimes we just judge too quickly. If anyone mentions Sasha's height to me (she is 126 cm tall) then I mention Sotos. No-one so far has never heard of it. If they ask me a question about the condition, I answer it as knowledge is power.

Bumblelion - thank you for posting that - I remember the original thread - I'm glad that your dd is doing so well .

And yes, knowledge is power.