Apologies for the long rant but worried mum here…
My second DS is 20 months and has always been slow compared to his peers. My first DS was leaps ahead of him at this age which is why I’m worried. He is very behind on his fine/gross motor skills but is making progress. I took him to a physio recently and they told me he has hyper mobility in his joints, he didn’t crawl until 13 months and he started walking (holding my hand) at 17 months and has done a few steps unaided since but still crawling/cruising mainly. His coordination has always been off too but before 3 weeks ago he couldn’t clap or stack blocks but now do both so I’m really pleased with the progress. He still can’t use a crayon, it’s like he understands what to do but can’t execute the movement - I’m hopeful this will progress soon too. Same with waving, again can’t execute the movement but understands the gesture. His pincer grasp is fine but the coordination is slow but I’m guessing that could be down to the hyper-mobility.
He also doesn’t have any words except babbling (mama, dada, yaya, baba). I took him to a paediatrician last week and he wasn’t concerned at this age and said his motor skills will catch up, the physio said this too! He is referring him for speech therapy though which I think will really help him although I’m pretty sure he is doing a referral now because there is a wait list. HV said they wouldn’t refer until 2yo.
He has good understanding though, follows simple instructions. Brings me books to read and toys to play. Shows us his toys. Loves throwing a ball back and forth with us. Good social interaction, good eye contact and responds to his name well. Loves us singing to him and plays peekaboo or simple hide and seek. He is really good at imitating us too and his non-verbal communication is good, he will point to what he wants and when we ask where something is but very much with an open hand still as he can’t isolate his index finger which is probably down to his motor development. He also has gestures/signs for yes/no/more/up and communicates with eye contact. Gives us kisses and cuddles and kisses his toys or characters in his favourite books if we ask him too. He rarely has meltdowns and his behaviour is normal although he is a massive chewer! Great eater/sleeper. He doesn’t point to show interest yet but does look at us for praise or when he is interested in something to see if we’re looking too ( i.e bubbles/soft play) or looks at us for reassurance if in a new situation.
I did the MCHAT and he scored low but I’m concerned due to lack of speech and he isn’t walking unaided yet. Has anyone experienced similar? I guess I’m looking for reassurance really, he is a lockdown baby and I definitely think the lack of baby groups/interaction has had an impact.