I am getting so worried about ds's lack of speech

[emkana]

17 months now and still not a single word.

Hearing assessment in two weeks' time. I hope so much it will be okay - sometimes I'm sure his hearing is oaky, other times I worry.

Moondog, if you read this - what do you think about the bilingual bit in this case? Do I carry on speaking German to him, or should I speak English for a while to boost things?

Emkana, I never know what they should be saying & by when as DS2 is such a mix developmentally BUT according to his SALT his expressive delays were also hindered by his lung problems & he had difficulty coordinating his breathing with making sounds etc.
DS2 had no words or recognisable sounds until he was 2.5 but does had reasonable speech now.

my NT lad (now 12) didn't utter a word till 3. The HV decided he had ASD (having missed it in number 2) and we went to a developmental psychiatrist. ds walked in and said 'hi lady'. He's not stopped since.
Sounds like you're checking the right things and I did read that bi-lingual kids speak later.
Does he point?

I was in the same boat as you, but we had autism in the family so I knew I think (even though I did not want to admit it). We started ABA at 3 1/2 but I so wish we had started using some of the techniques earlier, so maybe I can share them with you and you can try them? Basically, you have to find something he really really wants - say chocolate, or juice, or a toy. Then you withhold it, and prompt him to say the word, or even a vague noise that is his attempt at the word. When he makes any noise, reward him with hugs and praise and of course the choc/juice/toy he originally wanted. Do this again and again, then one day wait a bit longer before prompting him to make the sound. He might start making the vocalisation without the prompt after a lot of long hard, work. Then you try and hold out for a clearer vocalisation and don't give it till he says it better - eg my boy was saying "do" for juice, then "doo - s" and now it's much nearer to juice and he comes and asks for it independently. It is worth a try as even if your boy is no autistic it helps any child to talk by harnessing their own motivation. Good luck and big hugs!

He may well just be a touch late speaking without there being any problem. In case lung/breathing problems are a factor with his speech, you could try doing a bit of baby signing with him, that can't do any harm - sing and sign DVD is very good.

Books I would recommend:-

Debbie Feit - A parent's guide to speech and language problems - www.amazon.co.uk/Parent%C3%A2s-Guide-Speech-Language-Problems/dp/0071482458/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF 8&s=books&qid=1195334176&sr=8-1.

This has LOTS of info about what to be expected at what stage, and what should make a parent concerned.

Ayola Manolson - You Make the Difference. Lots of good advice about encouraging communication.

Thanks everyone for help and advice.

Ds does point all the time at things he wants, I will really try to encourage to vocalize what he wants.

I should also really look into signing.

REally interesting about possible connection to lung problems.

And I will check out those books!

Emkana, still well within the normal range.
FGS don't start speaking English to him.
Even if (worse case scenario) THERE ARE SOME COMMUNICATION ISSUES,by speaking a different language to him (am assuming you speak English to his siblings?) you are creating even more of a difference.

I have seen a lot of parents panic like this and revert to English and it always ends up a real mess.

Remember,most of the world is bilingual.

Most of my caseload is bilingual and invariably in the case of true bilingulas, language ability generally evens out across both languages.

I would recommend baby signing and lots of reading.Lots and lots of imaginative play too.

I run a baby signing business in addition to my work as a salt.Will link you to a site that sells good dvds. I really rate this woman (and have no commercial interest in the company.)

Sing and Sign

Sorry,I meant that you talk German to his siblings.

Thank you moondog. Yes I do speak German to his siblings. I was half hoping/expecting you would say that I should continue with the German, so great!

REally must try and get into the signing thing.

I agree with Moondog - sing and sign DVD is very helpful - very pleasant songs too