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Behaviour/development

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Toddlers Communication Skills

3 replies

DadBeard · 15/03/2024 15:33

Hi there,

New here, but I wanted to discuss my toddler's development as I have a growing concern about his communication skills for his current age.

My son is now 17 months old, though he was born about eight weeks premature and was also born small at 32 Weeks. Even now he's still playing catch up with his size, still fitting into most of his 9 to 12-month clothes.

In previous appointments with his doctor they have said he's doing well, and at the time were impressed that he had managed to take a few unaided steps. He's now walking around out flat non-stop.

His speech and language is my concern. While he babbles dada and momma and points at things he wants, he never combines a point at me or his mum calling us out specifically. This makes me worry he is simply babbling without context as to what the words mean as he will combine it with other babbles.

He also ignores us for the most part. He can hear, as he will notice songs and people coming in and out of the flat, and smiles at us when he sees us and people he recognises. But if we call his name, he doesn't respond, nor does he seem to notice if we tell him "No" for trying to take things off coffee tables, like zero recognition we said anything.

Should I be, at his age, concerned for his level of speech and language comprehension?

OP posts:
CadyEastman · 15/03/2024 15:59

Hi @DadBeard, what's his adjusted age?

Lemonsandsunshine · 15/03/2024 16:02

Hi
I'm an speech and language therapist (for too many years at this point!). First of all it is very difficult to tell from a post if there is a cause for concern. SLT's really need to take a detailed case history, see a child's play and communication skills in context to assess if skills are there but not being spontaneous produced for any number of reasons or if they are absent. Also your little one is still little with the complication of being premature as well. However, you are concerned and given lengths of waiting lists, I would contact your local paediatric slt clinic and self refer (they should take your referral, some might insist you go via GP). Don't be fobbed off with, 'they're still little,' ask for advice and assessment. Sorry I can't be of any more help.

1995SENNDMUM · 15/03/2024 19:41

Speech and language UK have a progress checker and also offer a free 30 minute advice call with a SLT, I d definitely speak to them whilst you try getting on a referral for speech therapy. It could well be that they start developing more skills themselves but does no harm to get on a list as i ve heard anything from 6 months to 2 years on the NHS (my son's just been seen after 15 months wait).

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