What to expect from Community Peads referral?

[WorriedMum2323]

Hi,

My little one is almost 3 and has been been referred to community paediatrics due to some developmental concerns.

Namely;

• low birth weight ( was born on 0.4 centile and hasn't moved beyond this)

-Late walker (21 months - although weight bearing and cruising from 12 months) -Has poor balance and still not running or jumping (walks 'fast' but never 2 feet off the ground)

• speech and communication delay, babbled/cooed as normal, limited gestures until over one year and still uses them v infrequently, only has 20 words and limited verbal receptive understanding. Although has had a lot of inconclusive hearing results due to ear fluid - didn't pass newborn screening first time and has also has had periods of glue ear.

What should I expect from this referral? Already under SALT. I know there are ASD signs but the only ones so far are the communication ones. Has been assessed by a private OT and they deemed that there were no sensory issues.

Do they do blood tests? MRIs? Scans? Hormone teats? ASD assessment? All of the above?

Thanks in advance.

Hi! In my experience ( before COVID) my son had appointment with community paediatrician where they asked about him background ect everything you can imagine. He was weighed, height was taken and also full body check. He was sent for blood tests too as he had chronic constipation since solid foods, but that was the only reason. Not sure if blood tests are standard unless something is going on which they want to rule out anything sinister. He also got hearing tests too as he didn't respond to his name ect. Again something to rule out hearing issues as he was later diagnosed with autism.

If he has poor balance ect like you said he may be referred to specialist to check development in that area.
I think the whole basis of it is to check out any development issues to see if there is anything that requires medical attention in those areas.

Hope this helps!

Thank You @Mumtoboys1

I have some cognitive worries so that's why I asked about MRI etc as I have read about people on here having a neurologist involved so just wondering why that was.

Did you little boy get diagnosed with ASD via community or did they refer him to the Autism team?

Also, on a side note, did your son eventually start replying to his name? If so what age and any tips?

He was diagnosed via CAMHS. They do a whole range of tests at diagnosis it's quite eye opening to be honest. I think this might help with cognitive issues. Has he been referred to speech and language?? Also I basically lived in the childrens centres they are so helpful and have so much going on and ways to help.

My son is 8 now but was basically non verbal until nursery. Same as what you're saying, babbling, few words but wouldn't often use them. I found nursery really helpful with communication because he had to start vocalising what he wanted.

That's great to hear that you got answers.

My DS has poor receptive understanding. I'm having a really down day, he is just going totally own agenda as though I'm not in the room. It's really heartbreaking.

How is your son now? Is he verbal and at school?

Aw bless you. Something that may help is even though they seem not in the room they could still be picking stuff up. I used to sing nursery rhymes to my boy and stop halfway thinking he wasn't interested because he didnt seem engaged or interested, but when I'd stop he would look at me as if to say 'carry on'. Which made it obvious to me he was paying attention even if it didnt look it.

Yes hes constantly talking now! Lots of echolalia, if you are unaware of it it's repetition of sounds, sentences, phrases ect.

Thank you, that is such a lovely update. We have some words in context here, used for naming mostly. E.g. can say drink if he sees it but won't say drink if he wants ones.

How did you get him to turn to his name? That is really getting to me at the moment. He won't turn, I don't know how good hearing is as we have had some problems with that but he definitely isn't deaf so should be turning to the noise alone (after I've repeated it 10 times..)

I'm not sure to be honest it kind of just happened eventually. I know I'd have to make things very animated and sensory e.g clapping and saying his name.

Will he turn to anything ? A noise? Or maybe start saying his name whilst holding something he wants/likes and praising him if he gives and contact.

Thank You. It's just such a worrying, frustrating and emotional time.

He is very much own agenda, a brass band could march past and he wouldn't turn, he tunes out to adult speech unless he is involved in the activity e.g. nursery rhymes. He isn't particularly defiant but he is just in his own world a lot of the time and doesn't seem to notice being called rather than actually ignoring it