Possible SEN in 2 year old advice to help development

[strawberrycustard]

My dd is just two and possibly has some SEN (? Asd)

Speech is delayed and she exhibits some behaviours that may be asd we aren’t sure yet.

She goes to toddler groups (we have to go when it’s early and quieter or leave if gets unusually busy) and we do a messy play group. lots of park and farm visits etc.
we have play dates with other children her age although she doesn’t want to actually play with them and can get a little upset but we keep doing it so she has the opportunity.

What else can I add that might help. She is non verbal - would pictures help or something like makaton ? Where could I access this would I need to do a course ? She has certain ways of communicating already with her own kind of signs and she will pull me to an area if something she wants is there eg the sink for water or the conservatory if she wants to go in the garden but she just pulls me and then stands facing whatever she wants.

she has separation anxiety so I’m planning to get mil to start coming round and babysitting for short amounts of time to build up confidence.

Are there any other classes or things that may help ? The childrens centre offers sensory sessions im not sure if I can self refer.

we plan to send her to nursery at 3 so looking over the next few months to help her with
-communication.
-separation
-understanding

I would be grateful for any ideas of what I can do at home

Can you afford to send her to nursery earlier? It sounds like she would really benefit. In a nursery she would be in a much more stimulating environment for longer periods, it sounds like all she does currently is 2 groups where you leave when it gets busy, so what 2-3hrs per week in a more stimulating setting with lots of other people? It's perhaps not enough?

When you say you are going to start having MIL babysit....have you never left her even briefly before now? Children need to experience the uncertainty of a parent going + the relief when they then return to learn the trust that will help alleviate separation anxiety.

Agree with pp, try and get her into nursery. They will be able to support you and your daughter so much better. My son is 2.9 and was non verbal starting nursery at 2. He has made amazing progress and we have had referrals to SALT and a paediatrician all done by them.