16 month old developmental delay

[Wildathart]

Hello,

My 16 month old daughter has been diagnosed with developmental delays in speech and social communication by a paediatrician. The pediatrician says the delays are mild to moderate as she is still under 18 months but they do not want to see her again for 6 months to see how her development progresses. I am sick with worry as I do not understand what this means, they were very dismissive of my concerns about ASD as she is so young. We have been offered a place on speech and language group sessions but they will not begin until January. I am getting a private SALT to assess her next week and hopefully they will start 1 on 1 sessions with her. Her hearing has been checked and was deemed to be satisfactory but she is due another screening in 3 months. I know she hears me so I don't think we have a hearing issue. My daughter has zero words and zero babble but is very noisy in her own way, trilling, humming, raspberries, nothing anywhere near speech. She does not gesture other than to be picked up. She has been very difficult to socialise as she hates baby groups and the like (although I still take her). She also failed to settle at nursery which we started when she was 12 months old part-time and was pulled out at 14 months of age and so she currently stays at home with me. Her anxiety around strangers, even family, means that I am her primary caregiver and the only adult she has any meaningful relationship with. I'm finding it all very stressful and I worry that I'm the reason she may be struggling with communication, I may be a poor teacher. She does share interest with me, brings me things, shows me things but does not point at anything far away or could follow a point to the other side of the room, although will point and follow a point if it's something close. I'm hoping to find anyone else who has been through the same and what the outcome was for your children. Is a delay ever just a blip or is it likely to be a neurodevelopmental disorder?

If you've read all this, thank you. I'd love to hear your stories about speech delays.

I don’t have any answers, I’m afraid, but I’m bumping this for you. Maybe post in chat if you don’t get any replies

If she’s not pointing to things far away, has she had her eyesight tested? Just wondering as my DD didn’t do that but we found out she needed glasses. Once she got them, a whole new world opened up for her

My DD also had speech delay. You’re right in thinking it’s a sign of ASD but not all children with speech delay have ASD. There’s a fact sheet here on some simple things to do to improve her speech. Be patient though, my DD didn’t talk until she was 3.

It might also be worth using Makaton with her. There’s some information on Makaton here

MN has a SN Chat Section where sone experienced MNers hang out which you may also find helpful

Does she get any Portage sessions? Has anyone pointed in the direction of charities or services that might help?

Hi my darling daughter is 16 months old and what you have described she is the exact same way the stranger anxiety and all. We have started our early intervention. I am just wondering a year later how your DD is doing? Was it just a blimp in the road? I drive myself crazy everyday with the same questions asking myself over and over.

@anniesue2019 my DS was like that as well and when he was 17 months, he started pointing things and communicating a lot better. I waited anxiously until 17 months and it just happened. He still doesn't have clear words however, we are due to go in for another check up next month. DS was also anxious around strangers and now he runs towards people and kids mainly pointing at them and showing affection. He pointed at our neighbours dog this morning and tried to stoke it. During month 16-17, a lot has changed. It's good that you are going for early intervention and every little helps.

Please do you have an update on how your LO is now?