2 year old concerned

I have a 2 year old daughter that sounds like yours. Basically, she was developing typically until she was 14 months and then it was like her development froze. So she stopped responding to her name or generally, babbling completely went and she became obsessed with the tv. I took her to the GP and she was referred to ENT, they sent her for usual tests like hearing and fluid check etc. All that came back normal, but then a couple months after they repeated the pressure test for fluid and it was present. The locum however told me that even though she requires grommets i should not think that it will make my daughter "miraculously speak" as she should have still had a certain level of speech already but my daughter is non verbal at the moment.

The GP referred her to speech and language immediately after her second birthday and present were an OT and SALT. Both agreed after observing and trying to interact with her through play, that she has social and communcational difficulties with repetitive behaviour (obsessed with pens/pencils and scribbling). My daughter is still mouthing things to and has a tendency to stuff things up her nose, especially beads. They decided to put her on the waiting list to be assessed for autism which can take up to 9 months in our borough due to funding and level of needs. However they have said that in the meantime they will put her down for play therapy when a place becomes available. The OT said she has very good fine and gross motor skills and stuffing things in her nose could be a sensory thing, oh and my daughter loves the swings ( i think because of the motion) she has a melt down if we take her off.

The SALT recommend that we have a few toys out at home and take her lead, my daughter hums every so often so they said that we should join in when she does. Due to her being non verbal the SALT showed us a couple of signs for example "waiting and more" and said to encourage her by making sure we look at her and showing her. Any inclinations that she is either wait ing or requesting more we should follow through and praise. My daughter is really messy with food as she uses her hands too but weve been told to let her explore and at meals to hold up 2 options and just say "banana or apple" this is to help with speech. My daughter understands commands linked to her routine only. The other thing they recommended for eye contact was to play witj bubbles as this really excites her, or peek a boo or with a deflated balloon which u inflate and let go so she can follow with her eyes. As she doesnt respond to her name or will so on her terms, the SALT said always lower yourself to her and look at her then call her name, play should be done on the floor with her at all times. I found it quite difficult to accept at first that she is different as my other 3 kids are "typical developing", I even felt guilty because Ive worked with complex and typical developing children for 8 and a half years at primary schools. I think it was because I could shut off work at the door but having my own child with autism was harder to cope with and she is the first in our family history that we know off, so I didnt have anyone to of load on as no one understood. I have been and sometimes still do have good days and bad days but when I get my focus back, which is making sure my little girl has all the support she can get in order to live a life where she can function in the world around her with as much ease as possible. 

thanks for this information. we our currently doing all these strategies at this moment. my main concern is her social skills. have you found them improving with play therapy? Our daughter just ignore her peers. Adults she plays with better or on her own. She has good eye contact  with us and when name is called etc. when she at Nursery it like her peers aren't there? Currently at a loss what to do. we try and socialise her as much as possible play dates,nuserys, parks and social events. she makes like of noises and somethimes babbles. if we say mamma she will say daddy like a game i suppose. im just unsure how we more forward.thanks for you information really is priceless.

thanks for this information. we our currently doing all these strategies at this moment. my main concern is her social skills. have you found them improving with play therapy? Our daughter just ignore her peers. Adults she plays with better or on her own. She has good eye contact  with us and when name is called etc. when she at Nursery it like her peers aren't there? Currently at a loss what to do. we try and socialise her as much as possible play dates,nuserys, parks and social events. she makes like of noises and somethimes babbles. if we say mamma she will say daddy like a game i suppose. im just unsure how we more forward.thanks for you information really is priceless.