Advice re 2 year check

[ummwhatnext]

Hi Everyone,

I had my dd's 2 yr check today at local childrens centre. DD was 2 in march and has very few words. We have been referred for SALT and hearing test, and are going to different classes to try adn bring her along.

Now at the check today, I told all this to the lady doing the check. After watching dd play and interact she said it would be good uif she could come observe dd at home.

Now I'm worried that there is something she wasn't happy with apart from the speech.. When I asked her what she was looking for she said that dd hasn't played with enough of the toys/done enough activities and maybe she'd be more comfortable at home.

DD understands everything btw, but is really stubborn and won't play with a dolly if she's told - only if she wants to. Does anyone know what they look for? or what dd must 'achieve'?

anyone?

Not really much help as DD is due her 2 yr check soon in July.

I too would be interested in what kinda thing they look for/ do at the check.
No concerns about her speech though as she doesnt shut up!

I thought the checks were done at home for exactly that reason-child being more relaxed in thier own environment?

Well they have phased out the 2 year check round here - they send you a leaflet of things they should be able to do and tell you to call them if you are worried

I wouldn't worry too much about a home visit, it sounds like she just wants to see DD in a more relaxed environment. Apparently I was diagnosed with 50% hearing loss when I was 4 due to stubborness during a hearing test. There was nothing wrong with my hearing I just didn't like the woman doing the test and didn't want to put the balls in the basket when I heard the beep

no, they aren't done at home routinely.

i can't remmeber all the things they look at, but I don't think you should worry
it's good that she wants to see her in a more relaxed environment so that she can review her properly
ds2 scored low on several aspects of his (inc speech! we're also waiting on SALT referral and hearings tests) but some things were just because he was ina strange place and didn't want to play ball!

I think they are looking for signs that they can comprehend what they're being asked, and that they have a knowledge of how things work (they used to give them a tea set and ask them to make tea etc)

it is entirely optional though, you know... so you don't have to have it if you don't want to

Hi

My dd1 didn't do very well at her 2 year check, which they didn't do until she was 2.10 as they "forgot" her. She understands everything but I feel she chooses to ignore/do what she likes if it suits her. The speech was the main problem followed by a fairly dismal score when asked to build towers with blocks and recognise objects and colours. She had no difficulty with this outside of this appointment. The speech improved as soon as she started nursery at 3 although we were told that she isn't "chatty" with other kids and is happy to play alone. I was like this as a child and still am, I don't have social difficulties but this obviously is a cause for concern nowadays. She loves other children and she turned away from our local park last week as there was no-one else playing in there.

My dd2 is having her check tomorrow, I am not expecting much as she is even less co-operative than her sister! She had several hearing tests following her initial failure at the 5 day test after birth. She was a emcs and the fluid takes longer to drain off from their ear canals. I felt that they were looking for something that wasn't there but you have to go through it to put your mind at rest. That was 6 months anxiety that ended with a "satisfactory" result. I see it all as a waste of time but realise that HV's have forms to fill in so we will go through it with a smile tomorrow. I am expecting her to get stroppy and run off and play with her dollhouse. She sounds like your DD, stubborn and not interested in absolutely everything in front of her. She screamed through her 9 month check (they abandoned it as she wouldn't calm down). It'll be interesting to see what they say tomorrow. Don't beat yourself up over it - I'm not!

My DD had her check at home,it was a bit early at 20 months.The HV asked her to build a tower of bricks,she had to throw a ball (can't remember if she had to catch one),she had to say what was pictured on various cards (things like a house,car,household things)The HV asked about walking up stairs and various other physical achievments and chatted to dd asking her questions.The trickiest thing about it was my jealous older daughter who resented not being able to show that she could build a tower really well etc!

they've phased out the two year check here too

I'm curious to know about SALT though. How poor does the speech need to be in order to be referred?

ds speech is poor, but that's compared to his three older sisters who are incapable of shutting up and were so much more verbal. I'm not sure what's considered normal at this age (he's 2.5)

bumpybecky, my 2.5 yr old hardly talks at all! and when he does only me, and occasionally dp, can understand what he is saying

he has maybe 10 words he uses regularly

hi as an HV I wouldnt be worried about a 2 yr old not talking much and wouldnt be referring to SALT until nearly 3yrs old.

I would be concerned if a 2yr old was not interested in being social at all,even with eye contact or gestures or trying to engage another in play.

Thanks so much for all the replies - think I am just being a lot little defensive, am tired of people thinking she is a bit slow just cause she's not speaking.. She is super social and will charm the birds out of the trees if she wants too. She did the brick thing today but wouldn't play with the doll or make the jigsaw. She was just having too good a time putting the bricks in and out of tea pot!

I wouldn't worry too much, unless your HV is a dragon of sorts I expect they are used to a degree of unco-operation from children this age. I think they are broadly looking at both fine motor skills - ie the blocks tower and gross skills (not sure if that the right word) which could be ball throwing, I think they used a small slide for DD's and some degree of comprehension colours/objects etc.

Putting bricks in the teapot is fine,obviously a little girl having fun!!
Dont worry about her speech,its too early to say theres a delay.

Thanks ladies, I'll let you know how it goes

did she ask you what she is like at home?
tbh with my 2 they went more on what I said than what either ds was actually doing. I think generally they recognise that they're often unco-operative, esp in an unusual situation like that
so I do think it's nice that she's offered to comne and see her at home, but she does need to listen to what you say about her too

Yes she did and I told her honestly - I guess she is just being extra cautious because of the speech thing. I should just be glad they are taking such an interest in her wellbeing but feel a little judged. My issue I freely admit.

my ds1 had his check last week hes is 2.6m

The Hv said at 2 he should be able to interact and be interested in exploring his surroundings, perhaps that is why she wanted to see your dd again, if she wasnt playing etc?

he did fine but refused to sing or talk directly to the hv!! just had a sly look at her, (making sure she didnt steel his toys i think!)

good luck with your check, im sure your dd is tottaly fine, just some kids like to be stubborn¬!