Advice on my 18month old speech and communication delay

[Nrsmx]

Hi just looking for positive story’s and advice - my little girl is 18month old I have always been a bit worried about her communication and speech al tell you what she doesn’t do and what she does do -

she says mum, baby(for baby shark) and peppa pig and she’s started waving bye bye she also says aye (but not in the right context)
she loves a nursery song and will do all the actions to wind the bobbin up, open shut them, if ur happy and you know it.
she gives kisses when you ask hand you the remote to put the tv on and says baby or peppa
gives high fives and claps her hands
she loves when we play with her
she’s a great eater

she doesn’t point to objects if she wants something she will just look at it and look at me and get frustrated if I don’t give her it
she doesn’t have any pretend play but will play with toys how you show her copies what i do and has good problem solving skills can usually work stuff out herself
doesnt shake her head for yes or no
she does respond to her name but some times it can take a while (I just phoned the HV yesterday to chase up referral for hearing)

I took her for a private speech and language assessment on Thursday and the girl confirmed she is delayed in speech and communication because she wasn’t giving any joint attention while she was playing with her and when she was asking her to go get the ball she wasn’t following her point or following instructions. Or when she wanted “more” bubbles she was just looking at her to do it instead of saying it and getting frustrated.

but when she was singing songs she had great eye contact and loved it.

any advice please is welcome I’m so worried about her I feel like she’s coming on good so hopefully she catches up. She starts SLT in a few weeks I went private to ease my anxiety and hopefully see some difference. miss Rachel is her favourite and she loves baby shark and peppa she goes to nursery 2 full days per week aswel x

She also says bah for ball and bubub for bubbles

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. My first DC didn’t speak a lot until he was 2 and then suddenly he was speaking in sentences! 18 months is still very young.

thanks very much ❤️

Oh she sounds like a wee sweetheart! And good job mum for getting on the ball and advocating for your baby.

I agree..18 months is still so young. So she looks at what she wants then looks back at you and then back at the item? I thought this was joint attention in the form of the three point gaze?! So if you pretend to feed a baby does she copy you? Is this not classified as pretend play because she’s copying..maybe she has to do it on her own accord does she? how is she with other children?

I took my just over 2 year old son to private salt too as he has no words only sounds. She told me to get his hearing tested which I did..he has glue ear in both ears and is on a long term preventative antibiotic. I’ve noticed a difference. He pointed late..Id say around 19 month mark..I physically had to form his hand into a point for about a week and then he got the hang of it. I tortured him with ‘use your point!!!’ Since starting the antibiotic he points a lot more..now pointing at things that interest him and not just at things he wants. Still no words but new sounds. Could it be her hearing?

I think she sounds perfectly fine. I think she has a good amount of words tbh. I know the lack of pointing by a certain age is a bit of a red flag but I think it’s sounds like she will be pointing very soon. She has good gestures and loves to play with you..does she give joint attention when playing? Why don’t you have a look at the mchat test online..I bet it will ease any concerns

there can be a lot of focus on the pointing..but it is just one example of shared attention you know what I mean. Making lots of eye contact during the singing song time is definetly an example of joint attention. My son can’t really follow a point either..not to the precise item..I mean he will look in that direction but his eyes dart all over the show. My 12 month old dd follows a point no problem. I’m not sure if that’s related to the glue ear..don’t really see the connection.