19 month old - no words, pointing, clapping, waving or understanding

[Bex268]

Thank you for reading in advance

As said above, my little boy doesn’t speak yet - he babbles a little bit, no clapping, waving or pointing.

I go through days of bring worried sick, like today and days of thinking it’s okay.

He’s massively behind now with communication - he doesn’t understand or follow any instructions.

He’s a lovely boy, happy, easygoing and is very loving.

Our HV is going to observe him for an hour at nursery next month and an hour at home too. What else can I do?

He won’t read and doesn’t enjoy books unless they’re nursery rhymes. He only likes one cartoon and will not tolerate any others. His food is shocking - he pretty much has the same food every day. He won’t feed himself and doesn’t like touching foods either.

I’m worried sick. My mum died not long after he was born and I’m terrified I’ve scarred him with my sadness. I’m sitting here crying right now just wishing I had done more. Too many days we’re spent in isolation as I didn’t have anyone to help.

Should I be doing more? Could I refer privately? I’m in the north east.

This board can be a bit quiet and hopefully someone who knows more will be along soon. But I wanted to say how sorry I am that you lost your mum. I don’t think for a moment you will scarred your little boy with sadness or anything like that. Speaking is a big range of normal and he may just be slow to start and catch up. It’s great HV is seeing him. What do nursery think ? My little boy is 22months changed quite suddenly from babbling to recognisable words at about his age. Really hope you get some answers or reassurance soon. I’d love to hear how you get on.

I'm sorry I can't help much but just to say my little boy was similar at 19 months but he has come so far along since. He's now 26 months and brillant with non-verbal communication and understanding. His language is beginning to emerge now too.

Hi OP, I've posted here before with similar concerns. My son is 24 months and still non verbal in that he says absolutely no consistent words. I had days where I am worried sick so I know how you feel. My HV hasn't even been to see my son, he hasn't been seen since he was 6 months! So it's good you are getting some support there. My nursery and the SENCO are amazing and doing some intervention with him plus have put another SALT referral in. So I'm hoping we might start getting somewhere. Some stuff I have found really interesting and helpful: peachy speech on Instagram has some excellent information on her page and the communication pyramid. It really opened my eyes that my son has some very fundamental blocks missing which the nursery and I am now really trying to work on. The teach me to talk podcast is also amazing with tips and tricks to help at each stage of the pyramid. Although my son isn't saying words I'm noticing improvements in some of the things he should have been doing a long time ago! I have no idea what the outcome will be, if it's just a delay or we have an ASD diagnosis coming our way. But I don't care, my end goal is to help him communicate. Happy to talk or ask me any more questions! You are where I was 5 months ago!

Just wanted to know how is ur son doing Noe

Hello, how is your son doing?

@Valgodi @Lalena
wow, I’ve just seen these posts asking how my son is. I’ve read back through my own post and it’s brought back a whole load of memories. He’s almost four now and he is the most beautiful little boy in the world, and the description above very much still rings true. We still have no words and he is autistic and possibly has adhd too. He’s the most loving little boy 🥰 life has taken a different path for us but I’m so happy my son is right there beside me.

Hi OP thanks for updating x
So lovely to hear about your ds

My ds I would describe all the same points as yours. We had a regression at 8mo when he stopped waving, pointing, babbling (totally mute) and clapping. He is 29mo (2.5y) now and still have no clapping, pointing, babbling, no words, was a late walker at 19mo, doesn't like overcrowded or overstimulated rooms and has one cartoon he watches over and over happily rewinding the same parts.
He is so clever and bright. Won't sit down to a puzzle but loves to check out how safety clips or baby gates work. My dp and I can't say enough how he is just the 'sweetest little boy' - so very thoughtful and kind and my HV described him yesterday as 'extremely passive' - no tantrums and you wouldn't know I had a dc in the house, he doesn't make a peep
We have been seeing a woman at speech and language therapy since December and it's helped massively showing us tool's to help him get him to interact and engage with us

Any tips re food?
Ds doesn't want a spoon near his mouth but won't use cutlery and doesn't want anything yucky on his hands. And repeating the same food only works for 2/3 days. It's so tough! Xx

Any tips re food?

Does he have a diagnosis of ARFID? If not I'd start reading up on that and also have a look at the Birmingham Food Refusal Service