Speech therapy. 17 months Suspected Autism?

[Joanne9090]

Hi my Son is 17 months old he is too young for any kind of Diagnosis but we (myself, nursery & HV) All suspect he is on the spectrum. He has fleeting eye contact, doesnt answer to his name, follows no commands really, no spoken words , minimal babbling, he is in his own little bubble most of the time and very little interaction with people or toys oh and bo immitation no pointing or waving :( . I have considered private speech therapy as he isnt likely to get any help om nhs until over 3 and if anything at all will help him i would do it in a heartbeat but i also dont want to throw money away if its really not going to help i know all children are different and there is no magic ball to say it will or wont help but has anyone had speech therapy at 17months or around a similar age? And did it have any impact? Thanks in advance for any replies x

We did speech therapy with our 18 month old. Just once a fortnight. It wasn’t really about teaching him to speak, just about teaching us how to interact with him. It was amazingly helpful for communication.

@Fromwhenceshecame

We did speech therapy with our 18 month old. Just once a fortnight. It wasn’t really about teaching him to speak, just about teaching us how to interact with him. It was amazingly helpful for communication.

This is the approach I would have recommended when I was a SENCO in a nursery. Alot of the SALT input at nursery level was teaching parents and staff how to communicate effectively. Becoming aware of how to phrase instructions, not using illiteration etc can make communication easier.

DS's nursery teacher worked with the small group of kids with suspected SEN (I say suspected because it was too soon for diagnoses) and it was incredibly helpful. When he got older (age 3) and his SALT referral came through, again, he did group S and L therapy, which benefits kids on the spectrum because it really teaches them how to have dialogue, when to take their turn to speak, how to stop and listen to others, how to engage well with others, basically. The group was not large at all- 4 kids including DS and it involved lots of games and sensory play.

In the meantime, I'd ask nursery if they do a bit of 'group' time with children like your DS. Does your DS's nursery have a SENCO?

My DS had speech therapy at 2. I went to an nhs drop in session and from there we had some workshops and support. Agree with PP it’s a lot about supporting interaction

Has he had a hearing test?

Hi thank you all for your replies i think we will go ahead and give it a try. @TheVanguardSix nursery do have a SENCO who has helped me complete a portage application but she doesnt work in his room at nursery she is in with the 3/4year olds maybe she does more with them, he loves nursery but he does seem to just be left to his own devices to do what he wants but it isnt helping him with his interactions and communications . I dont think they would be able to get him to sit for something he would just get up and go. He loves songs but he likes to be on your knee for this and he will then keep his eye contact perfectly. @Pissinthepottyplease he had his hearing tested in the hospital when he was born and passed i havent ever noticed anything hearing wise with him is it worth having it retested?

Definitely. The newborn hearing test is very basic and if he isn’t responding to his name it could be that’s he just isn’t hearing it. Glue ear is much more common than autism.

I second the hearing test. Definitely try and get this checked. Glue ear and hearing issues can account for a lot of issues in childhood. My niece was struggling with various interactions in nursery, it was found that she had a hearing issue and required temporary hearing aids and her issues went away within a couple of weeks.

Thanks i did read somewhere that if it was a hearing issue.. eye contact would be fine as he would use his eyes more. But its worth atleast ruling it out isnt it i will try and get him booked it for a test xx