Getting very anxious about next week's pedi appt (long)

sdkrlm

it's been three months since our last pedi appt. Avery is still not walking and her vocabulary has not expanded to more than "DAH".

I'm really starting to get anxious about our next appt. (her 15 month)

The progress she has made is good, but certainly not significant. She can communicate with us but still says very little more than "DAH". She can sign "more", "Milk", "all done" and "Dog". She waves "bye bye" or "Hi"... She has made up her own signs for "Outside" and "I want that" (she points and makes the sign for 'milk'). She will nod her head "yes" or "no".

She can follow simple commands...when she wants to. If she is not in the mood to listen, you might as well be talking to a brick wall. But - I can tell her to wash her foot and tummy in the tub. I can tell her to put "X" in a basket and she will follow my command. I can tell her to get certain items (Books, Balls, Stuffed Dog) and give them to me. She points to various farm animals from a book, she recognizes cats, dogs, monkeys from books.

She is not silent at all. She babbles ALL OF THE TIME. She is noisy - oh man she's noisy! She sings along w/ songs. She growls at us wanting us to growl back (yes, we are seriously silly). She blows raspberries and does other various sounds with her mouth.

Her physical movement is progressing but she's still not walking. She crawls like a pro. She can climb up on things (scaring the crap out of me!). She cruises. She walks when we hold BOTH of her hands, but panics when we let go. She doesn't stand on her own because she is terrified of letting go.

I know i am obsessing about this and I really apologize for my repetitiveness. I am just starting to get a knot in my stomach (again) about what the pedi will say next week. I just would LOVE LOVE LOVE for her to start talking more - or trying to repeat after us more.

it's  so hard to see kids Avery's age (or younger) excel around her.  I get a feeling of failure everytime I see a kid that is her age doing things that she's not.

Do you have any advice on what I should focus on when I talk to the pedi?

Leelee06

I don't have any advice, but just want to say I am sorry it has been so difficult with Avery's progress.  I can't even say try not to worry because I would probably feel the same way you do.  You have been doing a great job with helping Avery to progress.  Try to stay strong. ((hugs))

star21gazer

I don't have any advice either but Alesha said it very well...hang in there! 

hamillm

I just wanted to say I think you would only be a failure if you didn't worry about your child! You are a terrific mom . I don't have any real advice, I think you will k ow what to say/ask when the time comes. Sending lots of love your way!

mrssamuels2b

Like pp's have said...I can't tell you not to worry ...just try to stay strong for Avery and keep us posted...feel free to  post/vent here anytime...love ya!

bamanichole

I have no advice for you either but good luck and try not to worry. Also DHs sister is 18 months and she is not walking yet either. I know that is really no consolidation but maybe they just don't want to walk yet

MrsJRT

You know you are doing everything you can...and you are not failing at all, b/c you're taking a pro active approach.

First, don't feel bad about the talking...at Robinson's 15 month appt, our pedi said that they usually only expect them to have 2-3 words...I don't really think she is far behind in that area.  She signs so clearly she can communicate.  The only thing I might suggest is maybe having her hearing checked.  That's one of the things that helps sometimes with speech...and also, try to stop the baby signs.   Sometimes the baby signs prevents them from talking b/c they communicate using sign language so they don't feel the need to talk b/c they are already communicating what they want-- our pedi suggested stopping them all together and we definitely noticed a difference in Robinson when we stopped responding to the baby signs and made him vocalize what he wanted.

Walking...she's probably just unsure of herself, but she's cruising so that's a good sign.  It will happen before you know it.

Last-  she has made significant progress since the last appt....that is what the pedi is going to focus on- she HAS progressed.  That is the most important.

 HTH!!  Hang in there...I know it's easier said to done, but Avery is just fine! 

Erin&Gregg07

You are so not a failure! You are a great mom! You are worried about your baby! There is nothing worng with that either. I don't have any advise but just to tell you you are doing everything in your power to help her succeed. I think some kids may just do things at their own pace...my brother wasn't fully potty trained until he was in like 1st grade. Not from lack of my mom trying. She tried everything under the sun. He just had to do it his way and in his time. I know this probably isn't what you want to hear but Miss A is signing!!! That is more than most kids her age! She is a bright, beautiful little girl! I know it's easier saying than doing but try not to stress about her doctors visit. She will probably wake up one morning and start talking your head off! (And not quit until she is much older! lol) Good Luck and I will keep you and Miss A in my prayers!

njslp

You are not at all a failure! Avery is just doing things at her own pace.  As far as the talking, I am a speech pathologist and used to work for early intervention in the Huntsville area.  I would not encourage her to stop signing at all!  I am afraid if you do that, she will become frustrated.  What you can do, is make her start using a vocalization with the sign.  So, when she signs more, you say "That's right", now I want you to say it. Do the sign and the word simultaneously.  When she makes some sort of vocalization, give her what she wants.  It doesn't even have to be close, you are just showing her that vocalizing is more effective.  Eventually, you will work towards working out the sign language all together.  You don't want to drop it cold turkey though because that is her means of communication right now.  Also, when she is interested, sit in front of the mirror and make faces and encourage her to do it.  When she imitating, then start working on simple sounds that she can see your mouth move such as "mmmm", "ba", "pa", etc.  Hope, these are helpful!!!

Soon2BMrsWiley

MrsJRT:

First, don't feel bad about the talking...at Robinson's 15 month appt, our pedi said that they usually only expect them to have 2-3 words...I don't really think she is far behind in that area.  She signs so clearly she can communicate.  The only thing I might suggest is maybe having her hearing checked.  That's one of the things that helps sometimes with speech...and also, try to stop the baby signs.   Sometimes the baby signs prevents them from talking b/c they communicate using sign language so they don't feel the need to talk b/c they are already communicating what they want-- our pedi suggested stopping them all together and we definitely noticed a difference in Robinson when we stopped responding to the baby signs and made him vocalize what he wanted.

Sarah, I just read an article at my OB's office that pretty much said the same thing.

I know its so hard not to worry.  I worry a lot and my LO isn't even here yet!  But you are being SO proactive and a wonderful mommy!