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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

My dd is 18 months old and isn't really progressing

21 replies

klover · 25/10/2007 17:09

My dd has not said any words yet, she does not understand much of what i say, only a few very simple things like no...down...kiss and cuddle. She does not recognise me as mamma or dp as dadda. She gets fixated on things like the t.v or a toy and no matter how much i call her or try to talk to her i just get ignored. She has had a normal hearing test. She will not let me play with her or read her books. i'm starting to wonder if maybe i'm doing something wrong. i try to talk to her lots and teach her new things but its difficult as she does not listen to me.
can anyone help?

OP posts:

Weegle · 25/10/2007 18:01

When did she have her hearing tested? It may be worth a visit to the GP as she may have subsequently developed glue ear and be struggling to hear you. If you are worried then it could be worth going to the health visitor or GP and talking it through. Hope you get some reassurance x

ellehcim · 25/10/2007 18:05

My sister's nephew is the same age and behaves in the same way. His parents are about to take him for further hearing tests.

Try not to worry too much. All children develop at different rates and just because she doesn't talk doesn't mean that she doesn't understand you.

NAB3 · 25/10/2007 18:14

TBH It sounds like you need to see a GP or HV.

I do hope all is okay.

pagwatch · 25/10/2007 18:21

Can I just add that you are not doing anything wrong - don't even begin to think like that !
Go and see your HV or GP ( assuming they are any good) and get it checked out. It may well be nothing and you will be able to relax and wait for her to start to surge forward again. that is almost certainly what will happen.
but never ignore that nagging voice and get it checked. These were some of the symptoms my DS displayed and hearing problems were absoloutely what the Doctors investigated first.
He actually had a completely different diagnosis in the end but if she has hearing probs, or any other probs for that matter, her best help is early help.
Get it checked asap so you can put your mind at reast. And stop any negative thoughts about yourself - you have done nothing wrong. Sometimes kids just stutter in their development a bit and sometimes they need a bit of extra help.

CoteDAzur · 25/10/2007 18:36

Does she point at all?

I think you need to talk to a doctor about this.

Try not to worry too much, and good luck xxx

Original poster

klover · 25/10/2007 18:36

thankyou for all your messages. tbh the health visitors aren't helping very much they just keep saying wait till she's 2 and get her checked out then. i will take her to gp like you suggested and get them to check her hearing again.

OP posts:

Original poster

klover · 25/10/2007 18:38

can i also ask pagwatch what diagnosis your ds was given.

OP posts:

pagwatch · 25/10/2007 18:40

Yep - HV's can often be pretty crap at this stuff. I think they have a 'don't worry about speech delay until after 2 years' talk during trainning. But you are not just worried about speech are you ? So persue it until you get some informed opinion that makes sense and sets your mind at reast.
Come back and tell us how you get on.

pagwatch · 25/10/2007 18:45

Klover
My DS had MANY MANY more symptons than your daughter is displaying so they are probably not connected at all.

His diagnosis to do with his speech delay was verbal dyspraxia.
His main diagnosis was autistic spectrum disorder.

Original poster

klover · 25/10/2007 18:45

She does not point, so i think she is getting very frustrated that noone can understand what she wants. she has never pointed.

OP posts:

NAB3 · 25/10/2007 18:47

I would see a GP. 6 MONTHS IS a long time to wait in case there does turn out to be something you could be doing to help her.

Original poster

klover · 25/10/2007 18:51

yes i will see a gp. i have no idea is this is connected but dd was a very unhappy baby, she would cry all day and all night, she had a lot of trouble with feeding and its only been about 3 months that she can eat most solids and can now chew most things.

OP posts:

CoteDAzur · 25/10/2007 22:18

Not pointing, fixation on an object, indifference to others, no response to her own name - these are all autism spectrum warning signs. If I were you, I would go over to the "Special Needs" board and ask the lovely ladies there if your DD's symptoms sound familiar.

(I did, worried sick when DD was still not pulling up at 20 months. They were wonderful & very informative.)

pinkteddy · 25/10/2007 22:30

You may find this website helpful. Lots of useful information and links on there. HTH

coppertop · 25/10/2007 22:34

I agree with everyone else about getting your dd's hearing checked out first to rule out any problems in that area.

Don't let the HV fob you off with the "Let's wait until she's two" line. One of my biggest regrets about my ds1 was not getting him checked out sooner. The lack of pointing by 18mths can be a red flag for autism but you need an appointment with a Paediatrician to give you any real answers. I would ask your GP to refer you to a Developmental Paediatrician if possible. He/she will either be able to reassure you that everything's okay or refer your dd for more help.

If you are at all concerned about the possibility of autism, there is a quick test here which you could try at home. Remember though that it's not a diagnostic test. If your dd doesn't 'pass' then it doesn't necessarily mean that she has autism, but it's a sign that further assessment is needed.

Good luck.

TotalChaos · 25/10/2007 22:36

I agree with Coppertop. Bear in mind that if you are unlucky (waiting times vary from area to area), there could be a 12 month waiting list for your child to see a paediatrician, so waiting until a child is 2 can in effect mean they don't get seen till they are 3, so if you are looking for a referral, it may as well be done straightaway.

tori32 · 25/10/2007 22:51

KLOVER I don't know how your financial situation is, but if you phone the local hospital and ask to be put through to a peadiatric secretary you can arrange a private appt. Could cost approx £80 for a consultation,which will either put your mind at rest or get the ball rolling. The peadiatrician would write to the GP with his findings and they would pay from there on if he needs treatment.

tori32 · 25/10/2007 22:54

sorry Klover, if she needs treatment!

pagwatch · 27/10/2007 14:18

Klover
just bumping this to see how you are and if you have decided what you are going to do?.

Original poster

klover · 28/10/2007 08:49

Hi pagwatch, i have been back to gp and they have requested dd to visit audiologist and check her hearing. i know it may be a bit of a wait so may try to see someone privately. they have also put her down on waiting list for SALT. so fingers crossed wait wont be too long!!

OP posts:

pagwatch · 28/10/2007 13:57

good for you klover. these things always take ages and if your little one is doing better by the time appts come up then there is no harm done.
let us know how things go. Good luck.

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