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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, well done for reaching out to try and support your little one.

    My experience with my daughter was very similar.

    i noticed from quite a young age that there was some areas she needed a bit of extra support & there was a lack of understanding. 

    I raised this when she was 18 months old as she was not meeting milestones consistently. I was told she was too young to be autistic & sent for hearing tests. She passed them which then led me to consistently try and understand what i could do to support her. I involved health visitor and had to be firm i would say. Most people questioned my mental health if Im honest but I just knew she needed more support to help her thrive.

    She got diagnosed Autistic and is non verbal just before her 4 th birthday. She is currently 4.

    The reason I have replied is because I remember thinking Am I thinking too much into this? Everyone saying She will develop at her own pace etc. but the reality is that is true however she may need support along the way and different strategies that will make sense to her. So I kept going until someone listened.
    Go with your gut always , you know your child better than anyone else. Sending love 

Reply

  • Hi, well done for reaching out to try and support your little one.

    My experience with my daughter was very similar.

    i noticed from quite a young age that there was some areas she needed a bit of extra support & there was a lack of understanding. 

    I raised this when she was 18 months old as she was not meeting milestones consistently. I was told she was too young to be autistic & sent for hearing tests. She passed them which then led me to consistently try and understand what i could do to support her. I involved health visitor and had to be firm i would say. Most people questioned my mental health if Im honest but I just knew she needed more support to help her thrive.

    She got diagnosed Autistic and is non verbal just before her 4 th birthday. She is currently 4.

    The reason I have replied is because I remember thinking Am I thinking too much into this? Everyone saying She will develop at her own pace etc. but the reality is that is true however she may need support along the way and different strategies that will make sense to her. So I kept going until someone listened.
    Go with your gut always , you know your child better than anyone else. Sending love 

Children
  • in reply to NAS82735

    Thank you so much - i get that exact feeling that people think i am just over anxious Mum but i know my little boy and i know this isn't just something " he will catch up on" as i keep being told. I am ringing the HV daily now as they just dont follow up, we have a referral for a development review but that will be a year waiting list. Its reassuring to hear from you and thta you have been in a similar position. Thank you.