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Worried about little boys development

8 replies

Mummy160 · 06/10/2020 07:33

Hi everyone

I could really do with some advice
My baby is 14 months old and he hasn’t met a lot of his milestones apart from motor

He doesn’t
Babble just noises and grunts (really worried about this)
Doesn’t point, clap or wave
Doesn’t respond to name most of the time
Won’t eat finger foods
Does not imitate noises or anything
Doesn’t understand anything other than no
Doesn’t show me toys sometimes looks at me if he finds something interesting but not often

He does
Smile and laugh
Cries for things he wants
Put hands up to be picked up
walking

I’ve also noticed he likes spinning wheels and spins a lot of his toys

Sorry for long post but I’ve been worrying for a while and the internet just tells you it’s all Red flags and to see someone
I’ve seen a paediatrician, GP and contacted HV and no one has seen him in person because of Covid but also aren’t offering any advise really

Hoping some of you lovely people have some advice for me?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Disappointedkoala · 06/10/2020 09:57

I'm impressed he understands no - I wish my DD would learn that one!

There's so much development that goes on in this stage that I think sometimes they just focus on one area so if his motor skills are well developed, it might just that his other skills are waiting to catch up. I'm sure you're doing lots but keep on reading lots, narrating your day and activities, using his name (I used to call DD by her nickname all the time and then realised she probably never heard her own name!), lots of clapping and waving, giving finger food with every meal and encouraging self feeding, give clear and simple instructions. I'd also say it might be worth requesting a hearing check via GP or HV if you've not had one just to make sure that's ok.

My DD was late to walk and talk and I often missed the things she was doing well because I was so focused on the things she wasn't doing. It's really hard.

MyNameForToday1980 · 06/10/2020 10:14

It is so hard, but natural to spend the first few years comparing DC against the milestones and peers.

And you're right to be concerned, even if there's nothing to worry about - it's good to be aware of his development and care about how to support him best.

It sounds like you're specifically concerned about ASD - in general ASD diagnoses before the age of 2-yo aren't considered reliable, as there is just so much learning and developing that happens between the ages of 1 and 2. And there's a big developmental leap between 14 months and 24 months.

If it's any reassurance, DD didn't walk at 14 months, or at 15, 16, or 17 months - at 18 months the HV suggested we put her on the 'list' which is a list of children who were showing developmental delays - at 18 months a 6 days she walked (tip toes, a red flag in my mind). At nearly 4-yo she is still behind her peers in her gross motor skills (though swears blind she's the fastest runner in her nursery class).

All that time she was refusing to walk (or stand, or bear weight in any way - I mean, she didn't even sit up un-aided until 8 months), she learned to talk before her peers, and has excellent fine motor skills.

They all develop at different rates, and it often seems that if a child has spent their brain energy learning physical skills their fine motor and communication skills fall by the wayside, and vice versa.

I echo what @Disappointedkoala said about a hearing test (these can sometimes be done at the optician if the doctor isn't seeing people face-to-face).

DD still does things that the internet says are 'red flags' (the tip toeing, she's texture adverse to the point of gagging) - but when I look at her as a whole child, rather than as the milestones I'd expect, I'm quite sure that she's NT, she's just good at some stuff, and not so good at other stuff. And at some point she'll probably catch-up (or not, I'm 40 and I'm still a shitty runner).

Heartofglass12345 · 06/10/2020 10:32

My 7 year old son was a bit the same, I remember being in an airport with him just before his 1st birthday and there was a baby about 9 months old clapping and waving to him and he still couldn't do those things. He is autistic, but wasn't diagnosed until he was 6. He is probably what would be classed as 'high functioning' if those labels were still being used, but he does have his struggles. My advice would be to make a note of these things now, and what age he is when he does do them, as if he does need to be assessed when he's older (most likely when he's in school) they will want to know stuff like this. Even if he does have autism, it's not the worst thing in the world.
It could be nothing, just try your best not to worry and enjoy your son Smile

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Mummy160 · 06/10/2020 10:33

Thank you so much for both of your responses!

It started with someone asking me what was wrong with him when he wasn’t paying them much attention was more interested in cars going past although this was post lockdown!
This then made me use the internet like crazy and started picking up more things to worry about!

I have arranged a hearing test although still waiting for that been over a month since he got referred so hopefully will hear something soon. He does have a lot of wax in his ears and did suffer with ear infections when he was younger but can hear his favourite song with really low volume

He is very active was climbing up and down sofa at 8 months and up the stairs

I will be taking all your advice and hopefully will see some improvement over the next few months!

OP posts:
Heartofglass12345 · 06/10/2020 10:37

Who asked you what was wrong with him? That's so rude!! Even if he has autism, there is nothing 'wrong' with him!

Lockdownseperation · 06/10/2020 12:21

This book is really good for milestones
blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9780415833547?gC=5a105e8b&gclid=CjwKCAjwq_D7BRADEiwAVMDdHnAz6WD-k4ZSCm9qQKR5cxQDLzlaUGM1-TtnN2TUwweLdi6lvX4wKhoCdc4QAvD_BwE

I have attached photos of the relevant pages for you.

I would ask the GP to be referred for a hearing test and ask at what speech and language therapy start accepting referrals in your area.

Worried about little boys development
Worried about little boys development
Worried about little boys development
Lockdownseperation · 06/10/2020 12:21

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Worried about little boys development
Injackane · 23/10/2023 04:35

How is your son doing, can you update?

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