Did anyone's LO not wave/point/have words at around 18mo and go on to be neuro typical?

[Weezy511]

Just that really, my dd is 17mo and I'm quite concerned. Just wanting some positive stories instead of what Google keeps telling me

My Lb was not pointing (not at all, for interest or to request) when he turned 18months, he did wave but rarely and never in context, and had no words (but very good understanding). He turned 18months on the Friday, and I took him to see the HV on the Monday coz I was concerned. On the Thursday he pointed for the first time, completely out of the blue. Since then he has pointed more and more, and started to wave appropriately. Yesterday he was pointing constantly and sometimes with both hands at once! He’s only 19months now so I can’t say that he’s def NT but he certainly seems like he probably is. He also now has 4 words, so there’s progress there. We are giving him speech therapy though because he has glue ear and a family history of speech issues but at this stage it’s mostly preventative. I’m certain that his speech is going to catch up.

I just wanted to reassure you that it can all change really quickly but you should definitely talk to your HV at 18months if you’re worried.

Thank you so much for such a detailed reply! I'm really hoping the penny will just drop with her over the next few months. Your ds sounds like he is doing great.

I have 3 kids and only 1 had words at 18m. The other 2 did not have words until they were over 2. They were both more physically advanced than my chatty one though.

Does your dd have siblings? Sometimes the siblings talk so much or meet the younger ones needs so quickly that they can't get a word in or don't need to communicate.

How's her eyesight and hearing? How's her understanding?

She is very physical, were yours late using gestures or just talking? She's our first and I don't shut up around her, her little brother was born when she was 14 months so I often wonder if that's also had an impact.

Her understanding is definitely improving, she can follow basic instructions like come to mama/ dada. Give me whatever, kissies, cuddles, I asked her to put something in the kitchen today and she threw it over the kitchen safety gate so I think she's coming on ok that way. Has no idea about body parts, colours etc yet though

My DS had a severe speech and language delay and didn't point until 2.4

Not waving or having any words by 18M is normally not concerning at this point, waving is the least important gesture. Pointing to share enjoyment and request is not considered late until after 18M so it can be concerning when that critical age is being approached, but I have seen many toddlers starting to point towards the end of 17M or at 18M and are totally typical. Once it comes pointing comes very quickly, one day they are not pointing and the next day they are 'pointing machines' pointing all day long. He still has time, so try not to worry too much (I know it is easier said than done). PS. words are positively correlated with pointing, later pointing normally means later words but it is not concerning, most children catch up by themselves by 3YRs old.