18mths 3 words, little understanding

[glasskipper]

I've been worried by reading a few threads around this, and completed the questionnaire on the 'talking point' website for my DDs age, 18 months, which seems to suggest I need to go to my GP (which I will do.)

Her speech consists of three words, 'mama' 'dada' and 'milk'
She repeats these over and over mixed with general babble.

She does not follow direction, e.g. I can ask her to bring me a book, I sign book, I can point from a distance, but it isn't until I'm inches away, pointing at the exact book, that she will understand what I have asked.

She cannot point to things from verbal cues.

She has some understanding though, if music plays she will dance, if I say 'no' and shake my head, she will mimic the shake or protest. She will sit and turn the pages of a book alone whilst babbling.

I'm pretty sure she knows her name, but will sometimes ignore.

I talk to her, sing to her, read to her. She had a dummy but only for naps and bedtime. We play most of the day, she has been walking for 7 months, and has great coordination. I would say she is good at problem solving for her age, (through play)

I just wanted some suggestions or reassurance from any parents who have been there, is she suddenly going to catch up, or is this most likely a sign of something else?

Check the current guidelines but the cut off point was 2 for language "in the normal range" so they won't even consider investigating unless it's combined with other delays. It may seem draconian to have a set age but babies develop differently and it's all completely normal. If you have concerns about other aspects the hv may be able to advise, or at least reassure. My dd does have autism and was speech delayed until 4, but she had lots of other indications looking back, it was quite obvious, not just speech

You have concerns, that's enough to take things further. I would ask your Health Visitor about it. If she's good she will be able to refer your dd for a hearing check and other things.

There is an interesting programme on BBC2 about child development at the moment which demonstrates how babies social development begins at soon as they are born. This isn't just about the number of words a child has.

I had concerns and I approached my HV when my ds was 15 months old. It was the beginning of a long process but I've always felt the HV was the right way for us to go. I am very grateful to her still because although it did transpire that my son has autism and now goes to a special school, she set us in the right direction.

Do you have a speech and language drop in by you? Would be the best place to start. They can refer for hearing or will take you on for sessions if necessary

@anniehm hi sorry I'm a bit late to this thread but was wondering what were the other signs of autism in your daughter? My 20month old son is waiting for an assessment as he still doesn't speak (does babble a lot) and rarely responds to his name and doesn't show understanding when spoken to. Lately he has started gesturing a lot more like taking our hands and leading us to where he wants to go. Hearing has been checked and that is all clear

At 18mths my son wasn't saying a great deal. He's now 2.5 and I can have full blown conversations with him!