So worried about 9 month old behaviour

[scousemouse92]

Hello mumsnet

Please be kind, I'm a FTM and I'm in a spiral of worry atm with my DS who has just turned 9 months. He seems to be behind so many of his peers on slots of things but there are a few things in particular that are worrying me. I'll list out what he does ok and what he doesn't. Would be lovely to hear from other mums in a similar position atm or from some who have been through it with their outcomes :)

Things he does well
Very good eye contact
Very smiley
Laughs easily
Affectionate - seems to want to climb on me if I sit on floor with him
Sitting since 7.5 months, last week managed to get to sitting from lying
Crawling
Just starting to pull up
Good fine motor skills
Lifts arms to be picked up
Babbled since 6 months gaga baba etc

Things I'm concerned about
No shared interest - if I hold out a toy or show him how to play with it he just grabs it and eats it
Mouths everything
Twirling/flapping arms and legs
No imitation- looks blankly at me - even basic things like if I bang the table
No waving/clapping

Thank you, please don't say I need mental help. I don't. I've just got it into my head something isn't right

Some of the things you mentioned toon as concerns are usually only concerns with older babies but I do think it's worth having a look at 9 month Ages & Stages.

If he scores grey in a couple of areas that is perfectly normal

@CadyEastman thanks, yeah I've done that, he's definitely grey in communication

Bump

If it's just communication that he's grey in I'd talk to your HV and ask to be referred for a hearing test.

@CadyEastman definitely not hearing, he responds to his name 9/10 times

It probably isn't but if the HV does the 12 month check and wants to refer him to SLT they will want him to have had a hearing test

@CadyEastman ok thank you. You sound really knowledgeable, are you from a HV background?

Not a HV no, just had 2 DC who both needed SLT

Your HV might want you to fill in the 12 month Social & Emotional Ages & Stages.

I'd do this simple SLT progress checker as well, mainly because if it says that LO needs some support with speech & language, you can book a free call with one of their Speech & Language Therapists. They also have some resources on their website.

Let us know how you get on with your HV

@CadyEastman thank you!!

Yes will do it :) I'm waiting for his 10 month check to come through the post so I'll go through my concerns with the HV at that, should be within the next 4 weeks. I've had the 9 month ASQ printed for about 4 weeks now so I can score him on it.

I'd do the Social & Emotional one too if you can

@CadyEastman just scanned through it. Wasn't any "challenges" until the last page with the questions on not repeating sounds etc, like questions 1-21 I'd score him well. It's 22 onwards I need to work on him with. Or sure what that adds up to as looking on my phone. But thank you, really helpful as can use that in my appointment too x

"Not sure" not "or sure"

@CadyEastman I'd say he's prob got a score of 30-40 atm on the social emotional questions you sent which seems ok as he's also just 9 months and it's for 9-14 months. That makes me feel a bit better x

That's reassuring. The only other thing I can suggest is that if the HV want to wait and see if he catches up pin her down to an appointment to do a further ASQ-3. Mine just asked on a phone call if DD was talking and never checked her properly.

@CadyEastman yeah I'll say what my concerns are and make it clear I'd like a follow up in a few months. Thanks for your help x