When is speech delay a concern?

[~Raven~]

My DS1 didn't talk much at all till he was 2.5 and he has aspergers. Late onset of speech on it's own isn't an issue but it can be if there are other things that he is doing now or he may develop as he gets older. I think if you're concerned it is wise to follow your instinct and get him checked out.

I also think that sometimes they just need a bit more time to do things when they're ready. I'm always comparing mine to each other lol. FWIW you'll probably find that your DS2 will do other things at a younger age to what DS1 did. EG my DS2 might have talked before DS1 did, but DS1 was big on counting and recognising colours at a younger age.


Our council has a group called toddler matters, which is like a supervised play group, that has a few different specialists (speech and OT come to mind but there is a few other types) that can watch your child play. Perhaps you could contact your MCHN or council to see if they have a similar program over there.

HTH

[Matryoshka]

wow thanks for the replies... really helpful! i wanted to reply to some things but dont know how to multi quote.

Freya, yes he's really "manual", hands on. His hand/finger co-ordination amazes me.... i can't help stereotyping but i can see he'll be good with gadgets, sport etc.

His scope for understanding (and hearing) is really good, for instance he points to the right body parts and things when you ask him (where is your nose, where is mum?).

The ONLY thing that concerns me, is that when he wants something now he uses the hand signals, and says "ah ah ah ah" with a sense of urgency. He never says anything else, even when i repeat back "oh you'd like a drink, D R I N K" (pronounced slowly), he just smiles.

DS1 used to try to copy me... around this age... i know i'm comparing again, can't help it.


Raven, do you mind telling me what else i might look for that he's doing that is abnormal?

See the other thing that i wondered if it is a factor is our isolation, because of my PND & other health issues, we literally haven't socialised in over 6 months, no playdates, no friends etc. I was a lot more social with DS1, but then i figure DS1 & DS2 have each other, and they are good mates. I feel guilty about not providing them with more of a social life, but its hard when predominantly i haven't been able to drive/leave the house. Though i can't really say its lack of communication, because DS1 is always talking to DS2, and i am too..... just lack of alternate stimulation. Though now that i'm on the mend (touch wood), i really am trying to get our social life back.

Sally, that would be great if you could pass that on to me!! thank you.

Maz, my gut is thinking he needs a little help getting words out... but i don't know why..... i just know he hasn't been read to as much as i would have liked, and can't help wonder if its something to do with the PND, I dunno.

I've tried to ramp up the wooden puzzles too, you know animals, vehicles, so i say the word when he has the peice.

What to you think of flash cards? DS1 was given some but i thought they were a bit um, un-natural? Maybe they'd help though?

Also something else to mention, the dummy... DS1 had one until 2ish and it wasn't a problem with his speech. I let him have it when ever he wants (as i feel he's needed that source of comfort particularly through my PND), but if its around he'll put it in. I'd like him to have it a bit longer as sucking for comfort is really natural (at his age DS1 was breastfeeding for comfort), he doesn't have the boob for comfort though. I hope its not hindering him, mouth development etc?

[maz]

Freya, yes he's really "manual", hands on. His hand/finger co-ordination amazes me.... i can't help stereotyping but i can see he'll be good with gadgets, sport etc.

now there is an alarm bell going off in my head reading that hon.

Having a child on the spectrum who was aware of things beyond his years with gadgets it really does make them go off big time.

go to your health nurse hon and get a referal

[Matryoshka]

now there is an alarm bell going off in my head reading that hon.

Having a child on the spectrum who was aware of things beyond his years with gadgets it really does make them go off big time.

go to your health nurse hon and get a referal

Oh Maz i'm panicking now! can you please tell me more?

what i mean is that, you know little wooden puzzle pieces, they have a tiny knob you grab to put them in the hole... well ds2 can turn these to adjust the piece to fit in the hole, (sorry to compare again) but my Ds1 didn't do that until recently i think! Um other things like light switches, again little knobs that hold shelves together he can turn and pull them out.... um trying to explain it but my mind has gone blank.... okay putting shapes in to the shapo - he's really good at this - again comparing Ds1 could never manage that, um still think he struggles a bit... what i'm saying is DS2 seems really co-ordinated hand wise, i guess foot wise too, he can slip gum boots on, DS2 still needs help.

Are the above things "normal" for 20 months... should i be looking at other things rather than just the speech delay. I don't know what to look for?

[Early Kids]

Every child displays some things on the autism spectrum, it doesn't mean they are autistic I wouldn't be too concerned with those things, he sounds like he has great fine motor skills! They sound perfectly normal for 20 months. At Brendan 24 month corrected check up they wanted him to be able to those things then and he couldn't.

[maz]

Um other things like light switches, again little knobs that hold shelves together he can turn and pull them out.... um trying to explain it but my mind has gone blank.... okay putting shapes in to the shapo - he's really good at this - again comparing Ds1 could never manage that, um still think he struggles a bit... what i'm saying is DS2 seems really co-ordinated hand wise, i guess foot wise too, he can slip gum boots on, DS2 still needs help.

does he make eye contact easily? does he listen to you? does he have certain fetishes?
Look honestly hon...if you are really concerned go to you MCHN and have a chat about it. She can point you in the right direction.

Maybe keep a written diary if it helps you to process things. hon...Im sorry if I made you worried but the earlier you get an autistic diagnoses the sooner you can get help and intervention.

IM only ever a PM away hon

Every child displays some things on the autism spectrum, it doesn't mean they are autistic I wouldn't be too concerned with those things, he sounds like he has great fine motor skills! They sound perfectly normal for 20 months. At Brendan 24 month corrected check up they wanted him to be able to those things then and he couldn't.

I agree that every child display's some things on the spectrum but if a mother has a gutt feeling somethings not right then I am a firm believer that the mother should follow her nose. Quiet obviously we are not professionals and in my opinion M would be much better taking her concerns to a MCHN and getting a correct diagnoses. Better safe then sorry. Early detection with ANYTHING is better for mother and child and if that isnt the diagnoses in the end then thank goodness...but atleasat M would have eliminated one thing.

Autism is NOT fun and I wouldnt wish it on anyone! I would rather my child just have a speech delay then go down those 3 years of heart ache and tears road again.

[Early Kids]

I agree that every child display's some things on the spectrum but if a mother has a gutt feeling somethings not right then I am a firm believer that the mother should follow her nose. Quiet obviously we are not professionals and in my opinion M would be much better taking her concerns to a MCHN and getting a correct diagnoses. Better safe then sorry. Early detection with ANYTHING is better for mother and child and if that isnt the diagnoses in the end then thank goodness...but atleasat M would have eliminated one thing.

Autism is NOT fun and I wouldnt wish it on anyone! I would rather my child just have a speech delay then go down those 3 years of heart ache and tears road again.

Absolutely, couldn't agree more. I was merely pointing out that it may not be something to be concerned, so that Matryoshka doesn't get worried unnecessarily until she's been to the Dr (or CHN). I in no way present myself as a professional, I am just another mum going through the process of several (mis-)diagnosis's and several therapies. I am still travelling that journey and will not know answers for Brendan until we've seen his paediatrician.

In my opinion I would not be overly concerned until a Dr(CHN, therapist ect) was to tell me I should be. Life is too short and children grow up far too quickly!

[Matryoshka]

does he make eye contact easily? does he listen to you? does he have certain fetishes?
Look honestly hon...if you are really concerned go to you MCHN and have a chat about it. She can point you in the right direction.

Maybe keep a written diary if it helps you to process things. hon...Im sorry if I made you worried but the earlier you get an autistic diagnoses the sooner you can get help and intervention.

IM only ever a PM away hon



I agree that every child display's some things on the spectrum but if a mother has a gutt feeling somethings not right then I am a firm believer that the mother should follow her nose. Quiet obviously we are not professionals and in my opinion M would be much better taking her concerns to a MCHN and getting a correct diagnoses. Better safe then sorry. Early detection with ANYTHING is better for mother and child and if that isnt the diagnoses in the end then thank goodness...but atleasat M would have eliminated one thing.

Autism is NOT fun and I wouldnt wish it on anyone! I would rather my child just have a speech delay then go down those 3 years of heart ache and tears road again.

Thanks Maz, I've been researching and calmed down a bit... i'm too easily panicked, i know that!

Yep he makes eye contact, always looks directly at us, there's definately a sense of understanding in his eyes, and emotions, love, happiness, he's very alive in his eyes if that makes sense.

He listens to us and follows instructions, anything we ask him "point to your nose" or "bring your bowl to the sink" (actually he does this after he finishes every meal now without asking!) and if you ask him a yes or no question he will shake or nod his head. Or if he's outside playing and i say "time to go inside" he'll run away

Um, he doesn't have anything i see as a fetish, the only thing is when he's tired he grabs his neck, kind of with 2 fingers. He used to do this to my boobs, when BF, and i think because he was weaned quickly in an emergency situation, its a comfort thing that stemmed from there, as he's done it as long as i can remember. He goes to sleep with his fingers at his neck (sounds weird, but doesn't look overly weird). He doesn't have a comfort/sleep toy like me DS did, even though i did try to introduce one.

Thanks for your advice Maz, and Sally for the info...

So in regards to where to go from here, i already have the GP appointment booked, should i just ask for a refferal to a pediatrician instead of a speech therapist???

Do i also go to the MCHN? i took him at 12 months, she said everything was fine, and to bring him back at 18 months, but i haven't had a chance. Not sure if theres any point if i'm going to a paed, wouldn't they be the main route for having him properly checked out all round?

[Mad Scientist]

Flash cards really helped my DD1. They say dummies can affect speech but DD1 had hers until 2 and she's caught up now although still behind a bit. It's hard not to compare when it's all you know. I'd give the flash cards a go. They require perseverance but it's worth it

[Early Kids]

The ONLY thing that concerns me, is that when he wants something now he uses the hand signals, and says "ah ah ah ah" with a sense of urgency. He never says anything else, even when i repeat back "oh you'd like a drink, D R I N K" (pronounced slowly), he just smiles.

I'll PM you those things soon, but just wanted to add in here for everyone else to read too... You need to simplify your language. When he points to a drink and you know that's what he wants just say "drink? you want drink?" that way you are giving him the correct word twice and much simpler or his language. He is more likely to answer or speak back if you give that chance to as well.

Another tip we use that works well is don't speak normally, try and sing your words focussing on the sounds of the word.

I don't speak to my kids like they are babies, I speak to them as another human, just in a more cheerful tone with simpler language.

One of the first things Speech Pathologists ask (in my experience) is, How is their hearing, when was it last tested. So my advice would be that if you are looking at the speech therapy road get a hearing check done first so at least that aspect can be eliminated.

Will get those sheets to you now