It's official

[elliejjtiny]

I always knew this but was hoping that I was just being negative. DS4's paed confirmed that his development is at the same level as a two month old. He is 7 months old. I'm not sure if this is just physical or learning as well, I suppose it's too hard to say at this age. He looks at things and has recently started to take an interest in toys. He has some mild sight and hearing issues too which can't be helping.

Sorry to hear you fears have been confirmed ellie but as polter said it is good he is making progress even if it is tiny steps.

Good luck

Oh ellie You weren't being negative. You were being positive - you were having high expectations for your DS, instead of letting him flounder along.

Is the paed getting an action plan together?

Thankyou. This wasn't a proper appointment, just a random encounter with the paed in the hospital corridor. It's probably not a good thing when the paed can remember lots of details about your child's case without the notes, although maybe she has superpowers . She didn't just drop a bombshell in the corridor by the way. I was just telling her that we weren't having much success with weaning but that I wasn't worried as I thought his development was at a 2 month old level and weaning a 2 month old wouldn't work. I was hoping she'd say that he wasn't that far behind but she just nodded and said 2 months was about right.

She said that we would talk about everything properly when we see her in feb but we already have an action plan of sorts, physio every so often and sessions in the sensory room at the SN preschool once a week. He loves the sensory room with the bubble tube and fibre optic lights, it's the only thing he gets excited about. I tried to take some photos but the lighting in there means the lights in photos are really bright and everything else is really dark so you can't see his face.

So sorry ellie. Even if you were sort of expecting it it is hard.

I'm sorry Ellie. It's hard to hear, as I know only too well. If you haven't done this already, please try and get hold of your local portage team and self refer.

I'm sorry Ellie. It would have been great if you simply had been negative, but no, you were being realistic and wanted to be able to do the right thing for your DS.

Thanks for the more recent replies. We already go to a baby/toddler group run by portage so I'll ask when we go on Monday if DS4 will qualify for 1 to 1 portage sessions.

Portage has been great for ds, so really push for that.

I remember sitting open mouthed with dh, when we were told that 8 month old ds was at the level of a 1 month old. It is very hard, but he has made such progress, everything is teeny tiny steps, but every step forward is huge.

We are here for a honk and a handhold and to clap loudly at each step forward.

I used portage with DD as my HV referred me and then I self referred for DS4. Both workers were brilliant and also helped enormously with Statutory Assessment and and DLA. Both always made a great fuss of the DC, including the immediate siblings in activities. They always remembered their birthdays, and I still get Christmas cards from both workers. They cared and they made a huge difference to both DC. Who'd have thought that survival blankets under the dining table could be such good fun?!

As Hazey said, we are here for you Ellie. It's hard to take in right now but it will get easier. I have always celebrated each bit of progress, as it took a lot for them to get there.