Will he be ok? Speech

[worriedmummyofboys]

Nearly 4 snd still only mainly talking in one words. He has a huge vocabulary and can rhyme off shapes colours numbers 1-10 animals and animal sounds and lots more stuff. He often copies 2 words when we say them too. It's not ecololoa tho as he does understand. He knows exactly what's going on and is very tuned in

He has a speech therapist already
He starts school this September
The process for an EHCP has been started and he should have it in place when he starts school
I'm constantly being told he's making progress

But I'm still worried. Cos he is about a year behind

Will he be ok? Experiences welcomed

Thanks

Anyone

The fact that your Ds is saying words is brilliant. My Ds didn't say a single word until he was almost 4. I didn't think he would ever speak. As I've said on other threads, it used to break me to hear other Dc chatter away to their parents at nursery.

My Ds is now fully verbal but does still use language in a non 'typical' way. He was diagnosed with autism at 9. (I am not saying that this is the case with your Ds though.)

It's impossible for any of us here to predict how your Ds will develop verbally but it sounds like you are doing all the right things to ensure the best outcome for him. It's great he's under SALT and that an EHCP application has been made.

Are there any other concerns around his development do you feel? How is he around other children? Does he try and involve you/any siblings in his play? Brings you things to share with you/show you? Points things out of interest? I'm sure you know, there is a lot more to communication than just language.

If he's under SALT, I'm sure this has been done but I'm assuming you've had his hearing checked?

@Toomanyminifigs what age was he talking properly by? Did going to school help? When u say he talks but in a non typical way how do u mean?

Yes hearing at audiologist has been done and all clear

He doesn't point but he does bring me stuff to show me yes and he will bring me books and sit on my lap etc

He's fine around other children. Doesn't engage much with them but isn't a problem either. He tends to just do things on his own a lot but he can tolerate other kids and at nursery will sit with them for lunch

My Ds has a vocabulary that is better than most adults - he uses very scientific/complex language that is way advanced for a 12yo. BUT he can't have a 'back and forth' conversation. He just wants to talk about the things he's interested in. He can't understand that not everyone wants to talk at length about pre-Cambrian life forms!

He's been taught to ask people how they are, how their day was etc by his speech and language worker. But he just parrots the phrases out - you can tell he doesn't really care what the answer is. Or then know how to follow up the conversation.

If you're worried about your Ds's development, you can google M-chat in toddlers. I know your Ds is 4 but it can give a good idea about the kind of things to look out for/be aware of.

My Ds has autism as I mentioned before though so some of the above may not be relevant if your Ds 'just' has a speech and language delay.

What does his speech and language therapist say?

She thinks he has autism and we went to see the Paedtrician who said the same and we are in a waiting list to assess him formally.

You might find the "Nurturing Neurodiversity" YouTube channel and Facebook group useful. There are a lot of parents on the FB group of kids who are waiting on a possible autism Dx so it's a good place to share experiences - and I find the YouTube channel very positive (the older videos talk specifically about her son Dexter, so has apraxia of speech so he struggles to actually form the words, which sounds like it is not an issue for your DS - but she also has videos on therapy, discussions with speech therapists, etc. which may be useful and just supportive stuff for parents going through this "limbo" phase).

www.instagram.com/nurturing_neurodiversity/?hl=en
www.youtube.com/c/NurturingNeurodiversity?app=desktop
www.facebook.com/groups/nurturingneurodiversity