Development worries 2year old

[PlumRobin]

Hi wondering if anyone has similar experience with hearing tests for toddlers. My now 2 year old had a hearing test due to missed development milestones. He didnt respond to the sounds asch they wanted him too, but did once they played the bluey theme tune. Which I already expected. He'll only respond to what he wants to at home. Barely responds to his name, minimal eye contact, only says dada. Did say nan but hasn't now for ages.

We have a repeat test for his hearing but they've already said they're confident nothing is wrong with his hearing.

Referal put in for salt, UK based via nhs. No idea wait times wondering if its worth going private??

I would give your local speech and language department a call to find out waiting times, I've heard anything from 4 months to 2 years wait. It was 1.5 years wait for my son to get a therapy block. Private can be £75-150 an hour, more for an assessment but we found it valuable just to pay for the private assessment. Have you been referred to a paediatrician?

@PlumRobin is the only referral been for SALT?

Yep just the SALT referall. I actually hoped I'd get to see a paediatrician. I think because of his age they are reluctant. He has a quite a few traits which have made me question a potential he could be asd.

I have looked into a private SLT. They said initial assessment would be £350 over 2 50minute sessions. Then of speech therapy is recommended, £80 hour. Which I'm happy to do, specially if the wait times are long. He really needs to be starting something ASAP really.

Thank you both for your replies 😀

Just to add I went to the GP who initially said they'd refer him. Then they called me a few days later and said because of his age they would require more supporting evidence that he would benefit from seeing a paediatrician

We got a paedtrician referral just after 2 and DS is now on the autism pathway. I d ask the GP to give you the exact referral criteria to confirm why they are refusing to help when your child would be closer to 3 by the time (if not older) they d be seen with the waits in a lot of areas.

I d ask the GP to give you the exact referral criteria to confirm why they are refusing to help when your child would be closer to 3 by the time (if not older) they d be seen with the waits in a lot of areas.

This is good advice.

You can also try the HV. Fill in the Ages & Stages (ASQ-3)) and the Social and Emotional Ages & Stagess and ask your HV to score them.

It's quite normal for them to be in the grey for a couple of things in the first one, anymore than that and he needs a referral to a Paediatrician first assessment. If HV wants to do a "wait and see" approach. Try and get her to book an appointment to see him again in 6 weeks to 2 months, when he'll be in the age range for the 27 month Ages & Stagess*.

I'd see if she can refer you to Portage and if she knows of any support groups locally for parents with SN DC