I have an only child (3.9 yr boy) ,until he turned 3 I was thinking he is having speech delay only. he was a quiet baby. not much crying. just picky eater. but someone pointed out how he seems avoiding eye contact and not listening to what I was telling which lead me to google and I was surprised that he ticked everything in Mchat screening. he cant imitate, no gestures, few words. wont respond to his name,lining things up, obsessed with trains and kept jumping and spinning most of the time. I put him into nursery they helped with referals with speech and OT.
I immediately started researching and worked on my son.
I found mumsnet to be really helpful. I am forever grateful to Lingle's posts. I followed her recommendations books , hanen and teachmetotalk, floor time, moondog's calender etc.
my son now has many words and speaking in short sentences but not conversational.I mostly worked or showed him books. in a book if i ask where and what he can answer. Nursery also said he shows great improvement. but in last few months I have noticed his other sensory issues teeth grinding, hand flapping, being anxious, head down and I feared it could be selective mutism, I was shocked he hit me n hid his face when i took him to a new group class. same behavior at christmas market. he doesnt sit down to draw or paint or color. he didnt like brushing teeth before but recently he is screaming and crying. difficult behaviours. I feel exhausted. the energy with which I started to teach him speech , receptive lang is now draining. I work but reduced hours. I cant stop work due to financial reasons.
I read about ABA therapy but cant afford it. I tried ptivate speech therapy but wasnt effective so left in between.
can someone please guide me. any free resouces or youtube channels you follow which helped your child to become conversational and funtional.
Thank you in advance.