None verbal can’t point or listen to instructions 25 months

[Ejhdah18]

Hi,
Just would love anyone else’s experiences.
so I have a 25 month old little girl she’s the youngest of 4 (other 3 had no learning issues)
She doesn’t make any noises except humming and screeches when she’s excited. We used to say bababa a lot but doesn’t do it as much anymore.
She doesn’t point or bring me to things she wants help with.
she doesn’t follow any instructions either very rarely answers to her name.
Apart from the above she is the most easiest child I’ve ever had she never has tantrums she’s just always so happy.
we’ve also had a hearing test which she passed but failed the behaviour test with the lights and sirens.
I could say lots of other things she does lining toys up, flapping hands, tip toe walking, puts everything into her mouth.
She’s had 2 referrals too paediatrician but still waiting too be accepted.

I know everything is pointing to her being autistic.
I just wanted to know what everyone else thinks have they been sin similar situations.

breaks my heart knowing there could be something wrong and there’s nothing I can do to help I hate waiting for the nhs.
I just want to hear her talk.

thank you

I think having any referral or not you should start practicing with her. Try to engage with her as much as possible. Google floor time and try to do that with her. Blowing bubbles and playing with her while making lots of sounds. Try to ask her and teach her basic instructions. Talking and explaining to her everything you do. She will be gradually more and more engaged and improve.

My son was like that at that age, diagnosed with autism when he was 4. He's 5 soon, still non verbal and not pointing but now responds to his name and a handful of simple instructions.

I hate doing this but it's what I needed to hear 3 years ago, the NHS will diagnose them but let go of expectations of much more than that now and start believing that you can help your child yourself. We got a grand total of 2 hours of speech and language therapy after 1.5 years waiting before being told we were good parents and there was nothing else they would do. He's just started SEN school in September which is going brilliantly.

There is so much you can learn yourself at this point, intensive interaction would be a great place to start which is a very simple intervention to do and just simplifying all your language usage and modelling.

I really appreciate your reply. I think sometimes just having some reassurance makes you feel better.

did your son have the same struggles as mine at the age of 2?

This was my son at 2. Hes now nearly 16 so its been a while for us. Send mum has given good advice. The nhs will diagnose but ultimately it's you that will have to do what you can to change things. You will get very little help from the nhs. Intensive interaction and putting in place alternative communication methods as soon as possible will only help. Private salt has been very helpful for us. Have a read up on intensive interaction and aac. Eventually frustration will set in and you want to be prepared for that. Apply for dla as soon as you can.

Thank you everyone.

do we all think it sounds like autism?

Obviously no medical expert but there's certainly lots of red flags.

Yes I'd say you have a number of red flags there for ASD. I would say sing nursery rhymes to her, narrate what you or she are doing and join her in things she likes doing/enjoys even if they're not 'typical' things that kids her age play. Take note of the things that excite her and use those to your advantage to engage with her.

Thank you, I’m just really struggling with it all, I think I’ve been in some denial but the more I think and see how she’s not developing makes me realise that it’s highly likely. I feel like I can’t believe it until someone professional tells me that’s what it is. I’ve been looking at private but it’s just so expensive I wish I could afford it. I think for the past 6 months all I’ve done is just google none stop I’m always on mumsnet just reading but never posting.

thank again for all your advice.

From someone who did the same op it isn't going to help anything and will only make you ill. I was so consumed with everything that I didnt enjoy my son being little and I regret that. Ultimately googling will do nothing other than upset you. Reach out and talk to someone if you can. Dms are open if you need it. Autism isn't the end of the word x

Honestly you don’t know how much I appreciate you saying that. I have been consumed with it all having 3 older children that have all been fine too have my little girl is just so worrisome. My partner tells me none stop having autism isn’t the end of the world, and I know it myself. The thought of her struggling though really guts me. I’m currently off work on sick because having to leave her is awful. But I have to go back to work now when in reality I just want too be with her to make sure she’s ok.

It sounds like she's a happy little girl, your clearly doing a fab job. Theres load that can be done to help her but to keep things in perspective, she's only 2! She'll be absolutely fine.

Thank you 🙂

I totally understand you. I was also a totaal year in denial. Specially because my son was verbal but his language was not communicative. I regret now because I just lost time. So my advice as a mother with an autistic child is that don’t loose time. I’m not based in uk so not sure how it works there. But here (NL) I didn’t receive much help. Even no speech therapy as he was verbal. So I needed to work myself with his communicative language. For instance He was not able to call me “mama” or he was not using “you” or “I” in his sentences. Difficult to explain though. He is now very talkative speaking two languages fluently and loves talking with people.

regarding “floor time” we received just one hour per week just to teach me how to play with him and engage him. Gradually he was less in his world and more engaged in the world around him.

take a deep breath and know that you are not alone! 🫂

thanks for the reply, and the advice. X

@Ejhdah18 how is your little one getting on?

We’ve not made any progress with speech or communication, but we’ve been referred too SALT and our paediatrician has accepted her for a ASD assessment which time frame will be 6 months from December. Had an awful accident just before Christmas where my partner made a Bru left it on the kitchen side not realising she could reach unfortunately she grabbed it and tipped it down her arms made a mess to the point she needed a skin graft she’s been so resilient with it she’s so brave. But the reality is now she needs watching like a hawk 24/7. But we’re doing good thank you for asking

@Ejhdah18 the wee pet that’s very scary but good to hear she is ok. Hope you are doing ok too.
What is her understanding like and does she show much joint attention?

So no understanding of danger she’s very good with her fine motor skills but can’t follow any instructions still doesn’t respond to her name. Loves to play with me and her dad she has started to role play ever so slightly so will pretend her rabbits eating a carrot (Ms Rachel).

Do you mind me asking at what age your son was able to speak more fluently? Sounds exactly like my son

I would say within 6 months after I started working with him and teaching him, he was right on track! Every time I asked him a question I wanted him to answer correctly in full sentence. Sometimes I needed to initiate the answer for him and gradually he got it and caught up completely. He now doesn’t stop talking! Haha