Now what?

[Rosebel]

So nursery flagged up concerns over my son's gross motor skills and speech development. Spoke to the health visitor who was also concerned.
After speaking to the GP they agreed to refer him for physio and speech and language. I got a letter back yesterday saying that there is a huge backlog (can you guess why) and they will see him eventually but we would be better off going back to the GP to explore other options.
Except what else can they /we do? Can't afford to go private. HV has arranged for social case workers (not social services) to come out and see us to try and help.
I feel lost. He's 17 months and crawls, kneels and stands with support but doesn't stand independently or walk. He babbles loads and says a few words.
Lots of other issues going on and my head feels like it's going to explode. I just want him seen and for someone to either say he's fine or we need to work on this. If there is an issue then surely it's better to deal with it early not wait for ages
Has anyone experienced something similar? Did you have a late developer who was fine? Should I keep him on the waiting list or go back to the GP?

That must be so worrying.

I would keep him on the waiting lists but also go back to the GP and ask if he can be referred to a Paediatrician for assessment. You'll probably have a wait for that as well but at least he'll be in the system

ICAN are a speech and language development charity who might be able to help. Their website is: ican.org.uk

I'm sorry I don't have any similar suggestions for motor development but there might be a similar organisation out there. X

If I were you, I would ring the therapist departments. More often then not they have a duty worker on or a service where parent can ring up for support or advice.

I would ring up and express your concerns about the waiting time and ask if there is anything you could or should be doing that might support him in the interim.

They might be helpful, they might not. But it's worth a shot. I was relentless with my son. I only had to wait a month for someone once and I was on the phone to her nearly every day asking where we were up to. It felt like I was losing precious time.

Keep him on the waiting list. They can see him and decide that they don't need to see him again if that's the case.

But be persistent.

And bear in mind the the effects of lockdown. I saw physio last week with my DD. They said she was a couple of months behind with gross motor skills but that they have seen a massive influx of referrals about this kind of thing for lockdown babies. I imagine it's the same for speech and language too. Probably why there is so much waiting times!