Really unsure about my 18 month old daughters progress

[JadeFD]

Hello Everyone,

I was just hoping if I could get some advice about my daughter.
She was quite late to sit up, crawl and walk. She hasn’t said any words yet, won’t say Mama or Dada but does make babbling noises. She doesn’t point to things, doesn’t wave.

she does respond to her name but I have to say it a couple of times before she responds. She shakes her head a lot and blinks hard from time to time.

I’m not sure whether I should be asking for a health visitor’s advise at this stage? I’m really unsure whether these are possible signs of ASD?

any help would be appreciated!

Hiya,

Didn’t want to read and run. I had similar concerns when my son was this age, he is now 3.5 years old and on the waiting list to see a paediatrician as although he has progressed he is still very delayed for his age.

What I would say is if you’re worried please don’t hesitate to ask to see your health visitor. I know it’s daunting but the worst that can happen is that your little one gets some support, if she doesn’t end up needing it you haven’t wasted anyone’s time either way. I delayed this as I kept telling myself he would catch up but then as soon as he started playgroup they picked up on all of the things I had worried about straight away anyway and I wish I’d of tried to help him sooner.

Try not to worry (easier said than done I know!) I know a few little ones who were like this and they have come on leaps and bounds, she’s still very little - they really can make lots of progress in a short space of time.

I'd go through this questionnaire for overall development: https://www.broomfieldpediatrics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ASQ-3-18-Mo-Set-B.pdf and this one for social-emotional development: https://www.socfc.org/SOHS/Disabilities%20Mental%20Health/ASQ/ASQ%20SE%2018%20Months.pdf.

There are scoring sheets in the back (don't panic doing the first one in particular – they never expect 6 'yeses' in a section, usually more like 4 for 'development appears on track'). A section or two in the grey is quite common, but if there are sections in the black or lots in the grey, I'd be getting in touch with the HV. If they just want to wait and see, sometimes saying you've done these questionnaires and little one is the black for these sections can get them to take it more seriously, not just 'anxious mum'.

You've had dive great advice already @JadeFD. I was just going to add that as well as completing the two Ages & Stages I'd also ask the HV for a referral for a hearing test. This is one of the first referrals that should be done so that they can check for Glue Ear.

Thank you for the advice everyone! We have a health visitor coming over today. I think I just need some reassurance more than anything.

What did the HV have to say?

Hi! She thinks she is definitely on the spectrum and referring her for the early help pathway. She’s said it’s an 8 month wait for a paediatric appointment so we should have everything in place before she starts school. Very overwhelmed at the moment is a lot to process

It's really, really good that the waiting list is fairly short and that hopefully your DD will be assessed and receive a diagnosis before starting school.

It's a lot to process though isn't it?

Did the HV tell you about any local groups for Parents of SN DC or any playgroups or Nurseries in the area?

Did she say if she's made any other referrals like Occupational Therapy or Portage?

If you want to talk about how you fe or any practical aspects of the referral then as always, the SN boards on MN are very useful

It’s definitely a lot to process. Thank you so much for your message. The HV said that she’ll be referring for for speech and language therapy. She’s already down to start nursery in March and she wants to see how she gets on for three months before making the referral to the paediatricians so it’s a bit stronger evidence wise.
mum going to research some local groups as I think it’ll be good for her social interaction.

deep down I think I already knew it’s just so strange hearing it from someone else!

Highly recommend giving the charity speech and language UK a call, they gave me some excellent free advice whilst my son was on the waiting list for speech and language.

Also portage often take self referrals, so if your HV didn't do the referral take a look at your councils website as you may be able to do it yourself.

Finally can be tricky this young (I didn't apply for my son until 2.5), but consider whether to give an application for DLA a go, there's so much advice online on how to do the forms.

My son's 4 now and he was referred for an autism diagnosis at 2, it does feel a lot at the beginning so I didn't want to overload you but definitely look into those 3 things.

It’s definitely a lot to process. Thank you so much for your message. The HV said that she’ll be referring for for speech and language therapy. She’s already down to start nursery in March and she wants to see how she gets on for three months before making the referral to the paediatricians so it’s a bit stronger evidence wise.

Is DD able to start Nursery earlier? Just a thought that this may speed up the referral process.

Had the HV referred DD for a hearing test as well as SaLT? The SLT will want her to have had a hearing test to rule out glue ear. If the HV hasn't, you can self refer in some areas or you can get into your HV and ask her to do it straightaway.

I agree with giving Speech & Language a call and booking a free appointment. I'd do their progress checkerr* before making the call as you'll have more of an idea of any areas that she needs support in.

Also agree with looking at a referral for Portage and applying for DLA.

There's a thread running in the SN Children Section on DLA I think.

Thank you so much everyone for the advice, it means so much! This is all very new to me. With DLA am I better to wait until she’s been seen by a few more professionals as it’s just the HV that has seen her so far?

She doesn't need a diagnosis as it's based on need rather than diagnosis.

If the HV will do a good statement of their needs, then I would give an application a go especially as it could be a few months (perhaps longer) until you d have more professionals involved.

Just seen your latest update and wanted to comment and say I hope you’re ok as it is really overwhelming at times. It’s brilliant your little one is going to get support though, you sound like a brilliant mum x

Thank you so much. It is really overwhelming I’m just so keen to make sure she gets what she needs. HV is now doing the referral now instead of next year so that’s positive! X

So glad that she's doing it now. I had difficulty seeing why she was delaying