Hi everyone,
I’m not really sure what I’m looking for, I suppose just somebody who has been through a similar experience perhaps, as I feel like I don’t know anyone personally who can relate. Sorry if this is long!
My little boy turned 2.5 years old this month. He is the most happy, cheeky little chap and I love him so much. He hit all of his milestones, crawling, walking, pointing, etc including first words. The thing is he is now 2.5 years old and his speech hasn’t progressed at all since those first words arrived, he has a handful of words which are daddy (most used!), mummy, nanny, he used to say car but hasn’t said it in a while and he has said grandad and teddy before, “oh dear” too - but then these words hardly ever make another appearance.
My two other concerns are he used to point lots, to request, to things that interested him, from around 13 months old but now he hardly ever does it. He also has been leading me by the hand for as long as I can remember, although accompanied with eye contact, but I’ve heard this isn’t typical behaviour for his age? Sorry if this is wrong.
I took him for his 2 year check a couple of months ago, the HV agreed to do it a bit earlier due to concerns and he “passed” most things but was behind in the speech and communication section. HV wasn’t concerned, advised me to keep an eye on him and if he hasn’t progressed by 2.5 then to take him to a speech and language drop in clinic.
So today I took him to our local speech and language drop in, they were incredibly lovely and helpful, but although he enjoyed posting things into a letter box and doing a puzzle etc, he wasn’t really that interested in the lovely ladies. Which, I feel they of course picked up on! He did enjoy playing with another little girl who was there though which was nice.
Anyway, they have referred him to a paediatrician and a “complex needs team” which I am thrilled about really as I just want to make sure he gets the right support. I’m not in any denial that he may or may not end up with an autism diagnosis, I would be ok with this as he is still my lovely little boy, but I just wondered if anybody has been through something similar and what the outcome was? I’m worried he might not talk, or catch up, silly I know. I would love him regardless.
I think my main concerns are the lack of pointing even though I know he can do it and also the loss of a couple of words, I know these are concerning.
Thank you if you managed to read all of that!
I’m a first time mum so I just have absolutely no idea how things will go to be honest. Just looking for some support.