Worried about 15 month old development

[kstreet97]

Hi looking for some advice:)
My baby turned 15 months old this week and is not walking, not said his first word yet, doesn't point or bring objects to me to communicate. He cruises around a lot and can stand for a few seconds, but he quickly sits himself down when I encourage him to walk. He is a really fast crawler and loves to climb.

The childminder expressed there concerns he wasn't talking, therefore I've been speaking to him nonstop throughout the day. For example, looking at speech cards, naming the items we're playing with, saying "it's bath time" etc. If I show him a shoe he will start babbling "ssst", and if I show him a ball he will starting babbling "baba". But I'm still worried he is just babbling and not making the connections. I read to him every night and mould his hand to the pointing shape when naming different animals in the book but apart from this he will not point at all.

He is a really affectionate/clingy baby towards me and doesn't like to play independently. He does have tantrums which go from 0-100 in a second, and I feel guilty it's because he can't communicate. His child minder said she's not seen a child so young have such strong tantrums before.

Is there anything more I could be doing as any advice is more than welcome

Hi just wanted to show some support I am also in the same boat with my DD she has just turned 15 months and I am constantly getting comments how quiet she is, has never really babbled only this week she has started saying “mama” and blows raspberries nothing else. She has never crawled kind of bum shuffles towards furniture to pull herself up on and cruise along.

She points at everything and I tell her what it is but she never tries to repeat it, my DS could say loads of words and walk by the time he turned 1 so I think my problem is I compare them alot.

Sounds like you are doing all the right things to encourage his speech I’m sure they will catch up but it is a worry especially when other people comment on it too.

I think it might be time to start seeing if he needs some support @kstreet97

According to this SLT checker he should be able to say 2 or 3 words by 12 months. Please do the checker. It will tell you if he needs some SLT and they also have information on how to encourage speech on their website and a Helpline.

Things like Glue Ear can affect speech development so I would call the HV today and ask for a hearing test and for her to do the Ages & Stages.

You've also mentioned that the CM has said about his meltdowns. It could easily be frustration to do with communication and you might want to introduce some basic signs like yes, no, milk and sleep but the CM would probably need to be on board with this as well if he's there full time.

None of what you've said automatically means ASD but speech delay and meltdowns can be a sign so it might be worth doing the MChat Test before you see the HV

Hi dear mom how is ur daughter doing now