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2 year old, significant GDD: what else could we do?

47 replies

Firsttimer7259 · 10/02/2012 14:23

Our daughter is two. She has significant GDD across all areas of development. We have had some genetic and metabolic tests done. An EEG and an MRI. All have come back normal but the MRI shows a variation which may be within normal limits. We see a pead every 3 months, we have physio, SaLT (completed a Hanen prog) and have a portage person. What else could you suggest that might be helpful for her development?

To give you a fuller picture: her behaviour and skills are delayed but not really disordered as far as we can make out. There are no signs of sensory processing issues (she has no aversions we can spot, eats fine, had no problems nursing as a baby). Her movement is 'normal' (shes not clumsy and clearly plans her movements) she is crawling now and standing and taking a few cruising steps. She shows a clear preference for people over objects and makes lots of eye contact and smiling- the speech therapist thinks communication will be a strong point, she falls into the 'sociable communicator' box in Hanen. But she has no language as yet - she doesn't follow any instructions, doesn't point or wave, often does not respond to her name. There is no/little indication she gets language at all - altho she is making more sounds now she is very quiet. She has no words that she seems to understand. She doesn't really play - altho she does knock down a stack and is starting to turn pages in books (she doesnt look at anything I point to). Its not clear that she gets shared attention. She likes to explore and will crawl about looking at things or pull up and try to peek out the window. She makes jokes, giggles, plays peek a boo, and is affectionate and sociable.

Given this picture does anyone have any suggestions for things to do with her?

OP posts:
oodlesofdoodles · 10/02/2012 17:43

What about music therapy? By which I mean baby songs with actions. It's supposed to be very good for language development.
We do lots of music with ds and he LOVES it. Wish we'd done more earlier.

hazeyjane · 10/02/2012 20:01

Hello Firsttimer, as you know ds has similar delays to your dd. He also suffers from extreme separation anxiety and is very nervous of people. We try to go to lots of groups and activities regularly so he gets used to what to expect. The big successes with him are a music with mummy class and swimming.

The music class we do is also done at the sn nursery we attend, and works very well for children with sn - the lady that runs our one includes lots of makaton and sensory stuff. It differs from the usual music classes in that the songs aren't well known nursery rhymes - it is fantastic though!

Swimming is great because I know it is helping his muscles as well as being social and we play games and sings songs (it isn't an organised group, I just go with a friend and we look like idiots singing to our children in the pool!)

alexpolismum · 10/02/2012 21:07

firsttimer - your dd sounds very similar to my ds2.

He is 2 yo, has no speech, very limited sounds, no indication whatsoever that he understands any words spoken to him, no pointing, but he loves playing peep-bo type games, he laughs a lot, makes eye contact.

I find he responds very well to nursery rhymes that involve some kind of physical contact in the actions. For example, row row your boat, where I hold his hands and move back and forth to 'row', or head, shoulders knees and toes, where I take his hand and make him touch the relevant part. He's not interested in doing actions by himself, but he responds to this.

I also have some books (my mum bought them for my ds1 who is learning to read) that have very repetitive vocabulary, with the same sets of sounds repeated, and he seems to respond to those. For example, "ted in a red bed said Fred" and "shark in the park pup barks" etc. He doesn't give any indication of understanding them, but he looks at them (he won't look at any other books) and seems to be interested, and makes sounds in a questioning sort of tone, so they are getting him to vocalise.

Hellenbach · 10/02/2012 21:08

Hi, my DS2 has global delay, he is 23 months old.
We have just started Sing and Sign classes www.singandsign.com/
They use Makaton signs and we go to the stage one group. I was surprised at how much my son followed it and enjoyed the songs and games. We also got the DVD which helps you to repeat the activities at home.

waitingforgodot · 10/02/2012 21:16

Loads of good ideas in the Hanen books-think they were called It takes two to talk and more than words?
Also, look at what motivates her and use that to hold her interest. (with Ds it was food).

varga · 17/02/2012 22:44

Hi,I could have written your post. My DD just turned 2 this week and has GDD. She is at the exact stage physically as your DD,just started cruising in December and really enjoying it. We see a physio once a week and do the exercises she recommended at home.
What really helped her, gave her more confidence on her feet was the Piedro boots from the orthotist. They are fantastic.Maybe you could ask your physio about them. Although I don't know whether your DD would benefit from it.It would be great.

We just got her SaLT assessment today and it says 'significant delay across all areas of communication'. She is exactly like your DD,doesn't point,wave,follow instruction but likes games and laughs a lot. She has just started turning pages too,although always has liked listening to stories and looking at books.

Do you have any special needs playgroup near you? We go to a KIDS playgroup once a week and my DD loves it. They've got a set routine, fantastic stuff and just a few children. They do messy play,sensory stuff,have a lovely snack time and singing time. I think it's really helping her to become a bit more social. I hope you have something similar in your area.

Please,let us know how you get on because it's so lovely to hear from someone who is in the same boat as us.

Sorry for the long post,I'm a first timer. :)

isw · 17/02/2012 22:59

Hi, my Dd has cp t took ages to speak. We found all kids of songs and music classes excellent for stimulating communication skills. We used a bit of maketon and she loved mr tumble. Also simple things like giving her 2 choices for everything from which top to wear to what to have for brealfast, anything that doesnt have a yes or noanswer As others said swimming for physically strength. We also do conductive education, there are alot of kids in her placement that have GDD rather rather CP. On my phone so cant do links but we started when she 3 and it has been great for independance skills. Other than that just taking it slow andgiving her time to figure things out. Hope that helps

varga · 17/02/2012 23:12

Hi isw,
Thanks for the advice. Can I ask where do you do conductive education?

isw · 17/02/2012 23:29

Hi varga We are in scotland and do the access to education progriam at the craighalbert centre. I feel lile I am advertising for tem as have just mentioned them on anoyjer thred but honestly they it has helped dd (and us) loads

hazeyjane · 18/02/2012 08:51

hello varga, i don't know if your dd is undergoing any testing to find a diagnosis, but there are a few of us (including firsttimer) on this thread, if you fancy joining in. My ds is 19 months with gdd and hypotonia.

AprilSkies · 19/02/2012 19:34

Your dd sounds very much like my ds 6 months ago. We have found verbal beviour therapy has really helped. It's worth a look.

letts · 19/02/2012 20:34

Hi my son is two next week he doesnt walk or crawl. They said its gdd he is having physio, s & L, Ot and portage. I would like to be kept posted of anyones experiences as I think it would help.

Firsttimer7259 · 20/02/2012 14:24

Hi varga: nice to meet you. Its ice to meet someone in same boat. I wonder if you are anywhere near us? We are in scotland. Come and join the awaiting diagnosis thread hazey linked to. Its been good. How has it been going for you?
Hi also to letts and the same.
We have been doing tests etc for almost a year now. Its been long. I will ask physi about piedro boots, at the moment we get insoles made for her to help turn her feet out. And these are worn with boots that go over the ankle but they dont give us specially made boots.
I am thinking of finding some SN activities to join, I feel very alone at the moment and could really do with meeting other parents in similar circumstances.
Can you tell me more about verbal behaviour therapy aprilskies?
isw I am going to have a look at craighalbert, that might be something we could use. Alos will work in more opportunities for communication. Good suggestion.

I am feeling the need to do something more. No one seems to have any anwsers for us so I dont really know what to do. Does anyone know how one would go about getting assessed for autism? I would like a specialist to have a look at her and give me their opinion.

OP posts:
PipinJo · 20/02/2012 14:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AprilSkies · 20/02/2012 19:06

Verbal behaviour is a branch of ABA but more focused on communication skills and learning in a natural environment. There is a brilliant book on amazon called The Verbal Behavior Approach: How to Teach Children with Autism and Related Disorders. Don't be out off by the title. It can be used with any kind of delay. We also used some ABA techniques and it has done wonders for our DS in the last 5 months. Highly recommend ABA and Vb.

AprilSkies · 20/02/2012 19:08

Sounds like your DD has lots of strengths just needs some encouragement with imitation, fine motor and communication.

Firsttimer7259 · 20/02/2012 20:54

Thanks aprilskies I will look up the book. I ahve finally made contact with some local organsiations that do ABA or have expertise on autism. We are seeing some progress already with the functional learning programme we have been doing at home for just 2 weeks.
She has been doing sing and sign for a while now. I am signing up for a new course in April. On top of all this I want to take her swimming. Can anyone recommend any swimming kit? I was thinking this www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+float-suits+B5821?tyah=y
might be fun but happy to be corrected.

OP posts:
Hellenbach · 20/02/2012 23:01

Hi firsttimer which functional learning programme are you using? I would be interested to know more. I have heard of the HANDLE approach, but don't know much about it. Thanks

varga · 20/02/2012 23:05

Thank you hazeyjane to invite me to the other thread.
I can't believe that I found a place where there are other parents with children so similar to mine. I felt so isolated. I know a few mums with SN children but they all got a 'name'-autism,Down-syndrome,CP. My DD is 'just' tiny and delayed.

AprilSkies-I will definitely look up the book about verbal beviour therapy.It sounds really exciting. Thank you.

Firsttimer7259-I read your post about functional learning program and I think this is what our Portage person-who is amazing- is doing and teaching us. We only just started but I will kepp you posted on the progress.
I had the same worry about autism. Read about all the signs, done the CHAT test
www.autism.org.uk/working-with/health/screening-and-diagnosis/checklist-for-autism-in-toddlers-chat.aspx
and I was convinced that my DD is autistic. Then my Portage helper reassured me that many children she knows with GDD show similar signs to an autistic child but it doesn't mean they are. And the SaLT said that the CHAT test is not relevant if my DD is delayed by 12 months because the test is for 18- month-old children.I hope it makes sense.

How are you getting on with the signing? I'm in two minds about it because my daughter doesn't copy anything although her understanding is quite good.I don't how would she learn the signs then.

Swimming is a great idea. My DD loves it! We use this:
www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+baby-wetsuits-in-swimwear-sun-protection-bab18-ss11+B2091
to keep her body warm in the pool. Have fun!

Sorry for the long post but I'm so excited I've found this place.

Firsttimer7259 · 20/02/2012 23:27

Varga I was hoping you'd be back!! Our children sound so similar I was excited. I dont really know anyone with anything similar. I dont really think shes autistic but I would like to have an assessment/check now so we have time to do early intervention stuff.
She likes sing and sign but doesnt sign. Shes been to a class (10 weeks) and we have the DVD. She likes music and other children - in that sense the classes are fun for her. I keep hoping she'll pick up some signs as langugae seems so far away still and I am worried her lack of communication will lead to lots of frustration. I am amazed your portage worker is doing functional learning. Mine just comes with toys and lots of encouragement (shes lovely but I dont think it works wiht our girl).
Interesting what you say about the CHAT. I just assumed we flunked it completely, all the pointing etc stuff she cant do. Gosh if we had another 6 months to master that stuff she might actually be able to do it. She does the odd bit of pretend play (like she pretends to drink out of toy cups and other contaners, with lots of cheeky smiles to me while shes doing it - this totally foxed the pead who watched it, our D cant play meaningfully with bricks but hey she kisses the baby and has pretend tea). In the last month she is lifting flaps in a peek a boo book and we are actually reading together. Before I read and she sat on my lap not really interested in the book. (God I feel hopeful for the first tme in ages - better go to bed soon before it fades!)
Hellenbach The functional learning is from a book by Katrin Stroh called 'every child can learn', type that into google and you'll get a precis. Its hand over hand stuff making children, place, pile, match etc. We have done 2 weeks of it now and I do think our girl is paying a bit more attention to her hands and how to get them to do what she wants. She doesnt like it much but we persist and I think we are seeing improvements.

OP posts:
Firsttimer7259 · 20/02/2012 23:28

Varga do you use any flotation aids when swimming? I thought it might help her feel independent etc

OP posts:
AprilSkies · 21/02/2012 17:39

We used signing as a means to getting ds to vocalise and it has worked. He had no imitation skills so it took a long time to get the first sign but eventually we got up to 40 signs as now he is starting to vocalise so we don't need to rely on signing as much. I was skeptical about signing originally but I realise now it's a great way to teach communication skills.

Firsttimer7259 · 21/02/2012 18:46

How old is your child aprilskies?

OP posts:
AprilSkies · 21/02/2012 19:37

2.5 in April.

AprilSkies · 21/02/2012 19:39

Is does sound like your dd needs some help with gross motor too, I guess your physio is taking care of that?