Advice- is early intervention important?

[Sammycat123]

Hi everybody, I wonder if you can give me some advice about my niece? She has just turned 2 and her development seems to be a bit delayed. She is a lovely baby, with a great smile! She doesn't walk or crawl, and can't pull up, but recently she started being able to stand if she holds onto something. She has also just said her first word. She doesn't babble or try to speak. Her fine motor skills are pretty good- she has been able to feed herself for ages. She is very passive- in that she is happy to sit somewhere and will play with one toy for ages. If there is no toy, she will just lie there. She enjoys it if you play peep oh with her but the minute you stop, she disengages and doesn't look at anyone again. My dilemma is that her parents are happy with her and aren't concerned about it. they have a lovely and easy baby and both parents have mental health difficulties so it is great that the baby is so good and isn't any trouble. However, my own children are worried about their cousin, they keep asking me to talk to my sister because they can see the difference between my niece and other children. Every time we are out and see another baby who is doing normal baby things like exploring their environment or interacting with them on the bus, they get upset because they are worried about their cousin. I feel that I would prefer not to say something because my sister and her partner are happy with their baby and both have long term problems such as depression and anxiety (they don't work), so I don't want to cause any further distress. Of course, I also don't want to fall out with them! The health visitor hasn't said anything, So does this mean that she is probably ok? Also would there be any intervention at this point? If so, is your experience that it is useful and important? I read something in the Guardian saying that there is no scientific evidence that early intervention is useful anyway. Anyway, sorry about the long post, what is your advice?

If she does have anything, time will show that and the differences with her peers will be very marked, to the extent that someone, even her parents will notice and that's the time action needs to be taken.

If you say anything now, you'll likely be thought of as interfering and her parents may well not be open to the idea of their baby being different.

Professionals often have difficulty distinguishing things you've described as 100% markedly different for a child of that age, most walk before they are two but not all. Many parents find their children have a big regression at hat age and lose skills they previously had, that is of course a concern and should be investigated immediately.

For now, wait and see, give it 6 months and if she's still at the same stage she is now, gently mention that it may be an ides to ask the HV to check on her milestones.

Tell your kids that babies and children develop at their own rate and they shouldn't compare or say anything when they are there.

Do the parents take her to any baby or toddler groups? If you can get them to be in situations with other littlies around the same age, they may see her differences for themselves and you can support them if they mention it to you.

Will she have a 2 year check up do you know? Mine had theirs around years 3 months. That might flag any concerns.