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Looking for advice

NAS82394

HI 

Apologies if this is not the correct place to be looking for advice/support. My 2.5 year old son is currently non-verbal - he has said a few words ( when prompted) but lost them again shortly after, he shows no sign of understanding language. If I was to show him a biscuit he would be excited but I could say the word a million times over and he wouldn't ack me or turn/react. He doesn't know his own name yet and makes very little eye contact. I apologise if this sounds like i am making generalisations regarding autism, i am just trying to get an understanding of what we can do to support him.

He passed a hearing test a few months ago and we are on a waiting list for speech therapy but i feel it isnt just speech therapy as the understanding isn't there. He is a beautiful and happy little boy who is way ahead with his gross motor skills. He shakes his head quite rapidly at times and we have been told this could be stimming?  He reacts to music - so will dance and run from one room to another if he hears the theme tune of his favourite programme.

I just want to be sure I am giving my boy everything he needs, i have tried every possible route for support and just keep hitting a wall with " wait for your speech referral". I realised yesterday when talking to friends with children the same age about halloween that our little one has no idea - they had said there boys are excited and piclking outfits with them etc. . and it dawned on me that we are unable to have that communication with him ... he will love going to a party and knocking on doors to get chocolate but in general he will have no understanding of what this is ( i hope that makes sense) 

Just a parent desperate to make sure she is doing everything possible to support her little boy and would appreciate any guidance/advice/ words of wisdom :) . 

Parents

  • Hello, 2,5 is very young! At that age my son (now 11) was focussed on other things, fully focussed on making sense out of all his senses, especially the ones he had over-developped (sight, hearing). Does he get sensory stimulation like vestibular, proprioception? The problem is the "normal development scale", autistic kids develop other things first like logic way before socializing tools. For my son, language was and to some extent still is like music, so not only the words count but the exact same intonation too.. a bit like chinese learners. Please do not worry so much! He is currently developping other skills first. And I would add, this belief/pressure we must do everything before whatever age is not true! My kid still evolves very much with 11 years old, in language too (he is learning 5 languages at the same time for his own pleasure). The time pressure is based on an acient false belief that brain's plasticity stops at whatever age. Relax and enjoy being a mum instead of feeling the pressure that you should be a therapist! No rush, we have a lot of time ahead!  

Reply

  • Hello, 2,5 is very young! At that age my son (now 11) was focussed on other things, fully focussed on making sense out of all his senses, especially the ones he had over-developped (sight, hearing). Does he get sensory stimulation like vestibular, proprioception? The problem is the "normal development scale", autistic kids develop other things first like logic way before socializing tools. For my son, language was and to some extent still is like music, so not only the words count but the exact same intonation too.. a bit like chinese learners. Please do not worry so much! He is currently developping other skills first. And I would add, this belief/pressure we must do everything before whatever age is not true! My kid still evolves very much with 11 years old, in language too (he is learning 5 languages at the same time for his own pleasure). The time pressure is based on an acient false belief that brain's plasticity stops at whatever age. Relax and enjoy being a mum instead of feeling the pressure that you should be a therapist! No rush, we have a lot of time ahead!  

Children
  • in reply to Annie

    Thank you so much for this reply - i know i need to stop worrying so much and just enjoy my lovely little boy. He does get sensory stimulation from both as you mentioned - it is really helpful to hear you mention how your son learnt words/language. Thank you again it is also amazing to hear someone say about the unrealistic pressures for milestones - i feel im constantly fighting questions on why he isnt doing certain things and no one seems to focus on what he can do.