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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

  • 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 

  • in reply to NAS78606

    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 

  • in reply to NAS82394

    Hi 

    yes my son at 4 still has no awareness of danger it can be very frightening. It’s so with autism they don’t have the awareness of danger like other children do. It’s hard as he is not verbal yet but give it another year or so you will be able to communicate more but it does get easier and better. Just have to keep explaining not to do certain things. I couldn’t even take my son shopping at that age other than grocery shopping as it was too stressful and he hated it so your doing better than I lol. 
    the not sitting still is common for boys but I didn’t have that issue exactly but that might because my son loved his food. Every child is different 

    if he is very energetic he may also have adhd but don’t panick he might just be a really energetic child. My friend whose son is not autistic is sooo energetic and like your son doesn’t sit still 

    he probably just not interested in those things 

    he is very young still I think these nursery’s expect too much from kids 

    let me know if you have any other questions 

    it’s all learning curb and all children are different 

    nursery is really good for him though they learn a lot at this age 

  • in reply to NAS78606

    Thank you - Just having these conversations has made me feel so much more at ease. Its hard sometimes to explain your worries when someone hasnt been through it. Thank you again for taking the time to reply :) i have wondered regarding adhd as he does show some signs with the way he plays/interacts but again I know he is very young and i should not try to worry too much yet. 

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  • in reply to NAS78606

    Thank you - Just having these conversations has made me feel so much more at ease. Its hard sometimes to explain your worries when someone hasnt been through it. Thank you again for taking the time to reply :) i have wondered regarding adhd as he does show some signs with the way he plays/interacts but again I know he is very young and i should not try to worry too much yet. 

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