Looking for advice

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
  • Hi 

    try not to worry so much 

    as agreed 2.5 years is very young. My son now 4 didn’t really start speaking till he was 3 and he didn’t know his name either at that age 

    The speech and language therapy sessions I’ve just had these 

    they were helpful to some extent but really it’s more helpful when the child is actually speaking so I wouldnt be in a rush 

    he might not be talking but he provably understands more than you realise which may also be leading to meltdowns ?  As he gets frustrated that he can’t talk 

    my advice would be that to keep talking to him.  in basic language 

    pointing things out naming what you see

    visual aids are helpful too. Let him see what you are talking about. Books etc

    he will learn it will just take longer. Try not to worry to much 

    he is happy so that’s the main thing 

    the speech therapist told me if you want to improve eye contact being the item you talking about to eye level and keep your eye contact with him 

    Feel free to ask any questions happy to help if I can 

Reply
  • Hi 

    try not to worry so much 

    as agreed 2.5 years is very young. My son now 4 didn’t really start speaking till he was 3 and he didn’t know his name either at that age 

    The speech and language therapy sessions I’ve just had these 

    they were helpful to some extent but really it’s more helpful when the child is actually speaking so I wouldnt be in a rush 

    he might not be talking but he provably understands more than you realise which may also be leading to meltdowns ?  As he gets frustrated that he can’t talk 

    my advice would be that to keep talking to him.  in basic language 

    pointing things out naming what you see

    visual aids are helpful too. Let him see what you are talking about. Books etc

    he will learn it will just take longer. Try not to worry to much 

    he is happy so that’s the main thing 

    the speech therapist told me if you want to improve eye contact being the item you talking about to eye level and keep your eye contact with him 

    Feel free to ask any questions happy to help if I can 

Children
  • HI, Thank you so much for replying. Its reassuring to hear from someone who has been through similar situations - it an at times feel like im explaining constantly that yes hes 2.5 and no he doesn't talk but  he does so much else thats amazing. 

    Can i ask if you experienced this, im sure it is just associated with the lack of full understanding but if we do try to walk somewhere or wander round the shops he will run off in the opposite direction ( obviously i know all kids can do this) but with Seb he has no  of awareness of leaving us or where he maybe going. He also really struggles to sit still for any period of time - his nursery have commented that he does no join in with story time or meal times he struggles to stay at the table.

    Thank you again for replying