Developmental checks - Necessary?

[lola88]

DS has never had any we've not seen a HV for 18mo DS almost 2 now which was my choice, they only every sent the district nurse out who gave me totally diff advice from HV if I spoke to her on the phone so I gave up bothering with them. DS had lactose intolerance so seen the doctor regularly until 14mo and has been back for the old thing here and there he also attends my GP app which are monthly and have been for 9 mo so I must still be on the radar. I assume since GP has seen DS is fit and well there were no red flags about not seeing them or they haven't noticed

Anyway now he is going to be 2 I'm wondering if I should ring and ask for someone to come and give him a check since he's missed them. I've had no letters or phone calls requesting to check him so I have never refused a check if that's relevant and have spoke to them once on the phone about potty training so they do have him on record. I don't have any concerns with him at all he is hitting all his mile stones but when I hear people taking about their child having a developmental check I feel slightly guilty that DS hasn't had any

I've just had my DS second year check & it was a complete waste of time. If you have no concerns and he is meeting milestones I wouldn't rush to book an appointment

When dd2 had her mmr they said we'll see you next for her 2 year check. She's just turned 2 and no contact from them. DD1 never had one either. I can't see the point. She is doing everything she should be doing, what exactly are they going to tell me?

My two didn't get their 1 year check till they were 16 months despite much phone pestering on my part so I don't think the HVs are all that fussed whether you go or not. I bet you can download the HV 2 year checkup questionnaire somewhere if you want to check yourself - we've not had the 2y checkup but the 1 years was just a bunch of questions - can they stand up, can they sit up, can they put one block on top of another etc - nothing more sophisticated than that.

With DD3 we saw midwive on discharge, then heel prick test a few days later, then health visitor 2 year check.
Practice nurse for various jabs inc preschool - that's it and DD is 5 now!!
She's running around and fine - I'm happy with that and so are they.
DD2 was same.
DD1 had failure to thrive so we saw lots of MW, HV and drs.
I was v glad of support.
Horses for courses!
If worried make an appt, if not then just enjoy!

No it isn't necessary if you are happy with his development. Just enjoy him.

You have their contact details if needed, you might find you DO get an appointment in the next six months as the development check often says 18-30 months. Or you might simply get a checklist to complete and send back. Don't feel guilty though, you have seen a GP when needed and you are obviously not worried about his development.

They have changed the system over the last few years where we are so DS1 had a 2 year check (HV concerned that didn't know who the Tweenies doll was - didn't watch it because it's shit).

DS2 didn't get one although GH he has problems which might have been identified at an earlier stage by a good HV. Maybe.

With DS3 I have just gone to the GP over any concerns as I know I'll get a sensible answer.

In Scotland developmental checks are at 6mo, 13mo and 27mo. Then there's another at around 3y9mo I think - not sure about the last one.

The MMR is given at the 13mo one here, so they do tend to chase for it.

They should contact you. Round here it's 7-9 months and 27 months. I think it depends on the area you live.

We had a developmental check at 4 months which missed impotant problems. This was at the gp surgery wiyh a HV. I think it would be better for all children to have checks done with a gp, with a hv available for home visits to help with pardnting issues. HVs should not be giving medical advice.

I may just give them a ring to check when the next one is due and tell them only to send the actual HV not the crazy nurse. No doubt they will annoy me and I won't see them until the pre school checks :)

If they're necessary then out trust is failing children. The HV hasn't contacted me since he was a couple of weeks old, and we haven't seen an HV since he was 7 or 8 months. They honestly couldn't give a shit.

Our PCT (when I worked as a HV) varied between offering two year checks and not offering them.

By the time I left we were being told to do targeted two year checks. ...so families where there were concerns. Everyone else got a checklist to tick off and return....and we followed up any which suggested a developmental delay of some kind.

Madness....you would think it would be the same system across the board but no....it honestly seems to depend on the area of the PCT.

I gather that the Govt are moving towards everybody being offered the 2 year check again but who knows if this will occur.