2 minor health worries - speech and sight - upsetting me but feel guilty being upset

[justgaveup]

My 2yr old son doesn't speak at all. He makes lots of noise and communicates by pointing and shouting and nodding and shaking head but no words.
He was referred to speech therapist last week, which upset me, but I know it's for the best and nursery have reasurred me that it's not 'that' big a deal for a 2yr old not to speak yet.

Now, today, my mum has noticed that he's also got a lazy eye. I've never noticed but now she's pointed it out, she's right, he has. It's not very obvious though.

I'm dead upset now, I don't know much about either condition but am now worrying that the 2 are connected and he might have some kind of brain condition which means he'll have special needs etc

I feel dead guilty worrying cos i know other parents have got it sooooo much worse.

just wondered if anyone had any experience of either of these?

if he's understanding you well, and is communicating well non-verbally, then that's a very good sign as regards speech, some kids are "late talkers" - i.e. don't say much, then it all comes together by the time they are 3. Obviously it's best to be in system to see speech therapist in case he does need help though.

In terms of lazy eye - get an ophthalmology referral too - if it is a lazy eye then I've always understood that if caught early enough then it can be reversed by patching etc. I wouldn't have thought there was a link between the two.

you can try and work with him at home on speech/communication - you could do some sing and sign with him (if you speak as well as sign the words that encourages speech), and some useful books/websites:-

www.teachmetotalk.com
www.ican.org.uk
www.hanen.org

You Make the Difference by Ayola Manolson
Baby Talk by Sally Ward
The Parent's Guide to Speech and Language problems by Debbie Feit.

btw DS had language delay and and a sight problem at 2, which were completely unconnected. the language delay has improved but is not completely gone, the sight problem resolved itself by 3, he just grew out of it!