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My DD who has some delayed development

3 replies

PrinceRogersNelson · 10/06/2012 20:32

I am posting this as I read something in the behaviour and development topic about what your 3.5 year old can do and it made me want to scream. People wondering whether it was OK that their child can count to ten, but not back down. I was going to post about what my 3.5 yr old could do, but thought that would be petty so thought I would post here instead.

I am not sure what my point is, or what, if anything I am asking. I just wanted to post something and hope there was someone out there who might understand.

I have posted a couple of times before about my DD (now 3.5) who has a speech delay, but seems to be delayed in other areas too.

We have been referred for hearing test, child development team and speech and language assessment.

She has had her hearing test and it was all fine and she had an appointment with the paed. this week just gone.

The Dr took notes and then did lots of tests and then went through all the different areas and what age she was at for each.

I really wanted to take notes, but it went really quickly so I can't remember everything that was said, but essentially she is behind with speech and language and understanding (about 2.5 yrs I think). Her manipulation (drawing) was also pretty far behind as she holds with a fist still and just just big circles.
Her locomotive skills are at about 2 years old. She can't hop or jump and could not climb the stairs without holding hands. She can run.

However there were a couple of things which she was at the right age for (Yay!) Her self care and independence were good. She washes her own hands and brushes her own teeth (not very well because she is not very good physically). She tells us when she need the toilet and is often dry at night (but does still wear a nappy).
Her visual development was also at the correct age as she correctly put all ten colours on the matching colour (she wouldn't have a clue what those colours were though).

The paed said she wanted to talk to someone else about her physical problems (I told her she was hypermobile, but she didn't seem to think it was relevant). I know nothing about it really, but do feel it is important. She will also push the speech and language assessment, but when I asked what we do now, she just said keep doing what you are doing and that they will see her in 4 - 6 months time to see how she is getting on.

That's it really. I know she is developing, but when I read about people having conversations with their 3 yr olds and them doing 54 piece puzzles I remember how far behind she is.

I should just mention she is the most delightful little girl in the world Grin

OP posts:
JoinTheDots · 10/06/2012 21:40

I know how you feel. I sometimes read the "my 8 month old can't pull up to stand yet" type threads and think, well my hypermobile 21 month old only just managed so if I were you I wouldn't panic...

It's another world for people with NT children though.

Sounds like our DDs might be similar, mine is also developmentally delayed, most obviously with gross motor skills due to the hypermobility, but also significantly with speech and language. Her social and emotional is the only area she is not at least a little delayed. We are also on the wait and see approach from the paed, due to go for another assessment at the end of this month.

I do wonder if there will one day be a point when she catches up, or if her delays will morph into ASD, dyspraxia, or something else. I don't like the not knowing, and I hate to see her so far behind when we are out with other children her age.

People with NT children just don't have the same kinds of worry (of course it's all relative and they still worry!)

PrinceRogersNelson · 10/06/2012 21:54

Thanks for replying.

I too wonder what the future holds, whether we will get a diagnosis or if she will catch up/level out at some point.

I wonder about dyspraxia and have been googling this evening. Not much I can do though. It is really up to the HCP isn't it?

I will maybe bring it up again when we go back. An educational psychologist is seeing her in a couple of weeks, I may ask her what she thinks.

Do you feel her speech and language delay is linked to her hypermobility? I have been told it can't be, but I think it must be linked somehow.

OP posts:
JoinTheDots · 11/06/2012 10:14

Reading the EDS Hypermobility thread now and then there are lots of people on there with children who have other issues (ADS in particular) who think there is a link between the 2, but I am not sure how common hypermobility is - it could be that statistically there will always be a certain number of children with hypermobilty and other things as it is quite common. I have wondered if there is a link though, one physio said to me that children like to develop in a certain order, and if one thing is delayed it sets everything back.

My DD is August born, so I feel really bad than not only is she delayed in her development but she is also the youngest in the year, I think it is going to make things stand out even more.

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