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Behaviour/development

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Social/Language Development at 12mths

1 reply

chelle85 · 15/08/2018 08:45

I'm probably worrying about nothing but my son is due to turn 1 in a couple of weeks and I'm not sure he is meeting milestones in relation to social and language development but I don't have any friends with babies similar age so nothing to compare with.

He was a late smiler and still now it is a real effort to get smiles or laughs out of him (though he will smile at stangers more often). He doesn't make eye contact frequently and it is hard to keep his attention longer than a couple of seconds. He doesn't get involved with singing games and doesn't copy gestures like waving or make sounds in conversation. He does point a lot at the moment but it seems to be somewhat indiscriminately.

He can babble and will occasionally babble Mamama or dadada but I've not heard any other consonant sounds and he prefers to just scream to get his point across. We tried to start baby sign language with him quite young and he seemed to grasp the idea of 'more (though his version was to clap) but now he doesn't do that and just screams instead.

He understands some things so when I say 'Daddy's home' he will look to the door.

He is hitting/exceeding physical milestones (pro with his stacking rings/walking confidently) so I'm sure it is just that he prioritised those but I am worried how I get his speech to develop when he doesn't want to interact

I don't think it helps that my friends 4 year old has been diagnosed autistic and displayed some of these behaviours though he is still completely non verbal now.

Can anyone reassure me that I am worrying to early or give me similar examples of babies who were late to the social game.

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 16/08/2018 08:31

I can understand you being being bothered if he just screams, that must be vary wearing. Have you spoken to your HV, she might be able to refer you to a group for late talkers, although I don’t think 1 year is that late, my DD didn’t really talk until she was 3.

I wouldn’t worry about autism at this stage. I’m not an expert by any means and from what I understand you can’t diagnose it this young. When he’s 16 months, you can do the m-chat and see how he scores, but for now, I’d try to concentrate on the signing and trying to help him with his speech. Smile

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