ds3

[getbakainyourjimjams]

The new thread.

So how long do I give him then? 18 months?

My DS3 does point, but not a lot - I've seen much "pointier" younger children than him recently (and of course then I get the collywobbles, lol). He's not talking yet either (whereas DS2 was conversing in three or four word sentences by 18 months). But I do take great comfort from the fact that he does imitate, and also initiates games like peek-a-boo which DS1 just NEVER did.

cod - agree about nodding sagely and saying, ah, well you know, DS3!!!!

Dino- thanks for your emai, I meant to reply last night. DS3 initiates peekaboo games as well, I had forgotten that!

I've been wanting to post on this thread since last night when I had to close the computer mid-post!! I still think 18 months is young if its marginal.... as you know, with DS it was bloody clear there was "something up" by the time he was 6 months old. With DD I kept wondering, worrying, freaking and when I said anything to other people they'd say but she's fine..... [compared to DS] BUT she DID have a higher chance of having something on the spectrum, even if it was much less severe so I wasn't being an overprotecive, overjudgemental mum!
From what you say Jimjams, he's doing lots of good things. I don't remember DD pointing at that age tbh, I didn't feel even remotely comfortable about her until she was 2 and then only just. I still think you've got some time. I kept telling myself that if I wasn't sure then it must be OK... but you just can't let yourself believe it just in case. I'm not being very comforting or giving any good advice, I just think that if it were serious then you'd know and he's very likely fine. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I feel much happier about him today He was really playing with ds2. And he does things like loads the dishwasher (at 12 months PMSL). He takes things out of the cutlery drawer to put in the dishwasher. DS1 wouldn't even have noticed what I was doing iykwim.

baka - pointing seemed to be a very short phase in our house for dd2 - she would point as if to ask what that is but now that I think about it, can't remember the last time she pointed.

SHe is close to your ds in age and these are things that she does

loves peek a boo and will initiate it

imitates like mad - anything dd1 does especially

loves 'helping' she was helping dh upack the shopping the other day

her language and signing is amazing - she will just sign something out of the blue - eg I said the word baby the other day and turned to see her signing. I have only 'taght' her eat drink and more - she can sign a number of other things and that is just watching dd1 and I interact... scary when she does things.

is that any help?!?!? Unfortunately I have no idea what children should be doing at what age - packed that info up when dd1 was born and figured each would do it as they did it....

baka - don't worry about replying I know how busy you are, but so glad you're feeling a bit happier.

DS3's copying now extends to watching his big brothers writing and then scribbling over any surface he can find! Never had a scribbler before! DS1's white duvet cover will never be the same again!

I have just had a conversation with my (helpful) HV on this subject, and she said if I was really concerned she'd refer DS2 into the community paed now (I'm not that concerned) and otherwise, she'd pull his 2yr check forward to 18mo and do that thoroughly and refer on if any remaining doubts "to set my mind at rest".
This is partly cos DS1 seems to have fallen in a hole in the medical system where he can't get one set of provision as he's over 3, and can't get the other set as he's under 5, and actually for all the lip service paid to "early intervention" there is next to no support round here for 3-5yr olds.