Worried sick about DD. Advice needed

sexyntexy

I'm really worried about DD. She doesn't say any words, doesn't know her name, and doesn't really follow simple commands like "get your ball". She is getting better at "come here" and knows "no". I'm worried sick something is wrong w/ her. We had her evaluated at 13 months and she had a 2 month speech delay and only qualifies if she has a 6 month delay. The ladies didnt think she was autistic and behaviorally she doesn't really seem to be either from what I have read. I'm seriously besides myself was/is anyone else's LO like this?

sexyntexy

I forgot to add we had her hearing tested and they think it's fine. I feel like her name issue is kinda our fault though because we call her by a bunch of nicknames. We have vowed to only call her by her first name from here on out so she will have no reason not to know it.

nicobean1

Who tested her hearing? Did you see an audiologist?

The other thing - I have a little cousin who didn't talk for the longest time. Turns out she had an abscess in her throat. Once they figured it out and got it all cleared up, she started jabbering away!

Brosis

Is she social, making eye contact & showing affection?  Is she showing gains in other skills like walking, feeding herself & manipulating toys?

Some children may be slower to verbalize, but it doesn't necessarily mean the big "A".  

If she's losing previously mastered skills, or if you just want another opinion, see your pedi for a re-check.  If there is a concern, she can be referred on to an early intervention specialist.

 

jen-dale

I'm sure she's fine but a second opinion might help you feel better?

sexyntexy

We went to an ENT and an audiologist checked her hearing. The audiologist said the test wasn't really conclusive and H said it was weird in general. She is social and makes eye contact and is affectionate. She loves to be the center of attention. She said "baba" once like 3 months ago but that is the thing she said once and never said again. She also doesnt throw tantrums or have behavior issues. She walks, feeds herself, plays well with her toys, etc. We are really trying to focus on lots of interaction, pointing to toys, labeling everything, and lots of book reading. I'm just so worried about her it's consuming me. I thinker her 15 month appointment if her dr doesn't recommend an approach I may try and see a developmental pedi.

lkstor

DS has been slow with expressive speech milestones. He also didn't qualify for Early Intervention. We payed out of pocket for speech therapy for a while but didn't find it effective. Hearing normal. His receptive speech is very appropriate. I totally understand your worry. But I'm sure everything is fine.

DrDPM

I'm on my 3rd baby and all 3 have developed differently.  Ryan developed his verbal skills first, then motor followed (the kid never stopped "talking" but I didn't think he'd ever learn to walk).  Emma was the opposite and her motor skills developed a lot faster than her verbal skills. And Carter is my even-Steven, doing both at the same rate. 

Trust your instincts; if your gut tells you that something is wrong, seek out a second opinion.

JessiLW

We are in the same boat with our 2 y/o. He's been quite ahead of the curve on motor, reasoning, self help etc (though he never did hold a bottle himself and is still not handling silverwear well) He just does not say many words. When he was your LO's age he barely talked at all. He said baba a few times and made lots of noises. I know his receptive skills are great b/c he copies sounds of everything ie vroom vroom for cars, arfe for dog and so on but does not say car, dog etc. We are having him evaluated by the county for EI right now. He was evaluated for speach at 21 mos and was noted to be behing but not requiring services. We have the developmental gal coming again tomorrow and then will meet with her and the speech person again next week.

I know how scary all of this is. I am sorry that you have to go through this. It is hard to remember at times but just remind yourself that children do develop on their own pace. Also if there is a problem know that there are many services available to help you through it.

And FWIW I have been very happy with the services provided by our county. They have a birth to 3 program for little children and then they have a transition program for EI that works with the school district. I don't know if that is offered everwhere but it is def worth a call to your human services department.

 

PurpleK26

I have no 'sound advice', just wanted to pass along my cousins story. He didn't say a single word, not one, till he was over 2... And the first time he spoke, it was a complete, audible sentence. He just wasn't ready... And for wiw, he's a freakin genius!

KateAndMark

Awww big hug hun! I'm sure she is fine.

BeckyS1211

I agree with all the pps, kids all talk different amounts at different times.  I wouldn't assume autism or anything like that at this point, she's still young and you said she's got some receptive skills.  I'm an SLP, but I don't specialize in 0-3, I work with 3 and up, but mainly school aged children.  You can always have her re-evaluated if you are still concerned.  Sometimes there just isn't enough of a delay the first time, and a more significant delay shows up the next time...not that you want a more significant delay, but if it would get her services that would be great.  Sounds like you're already doing all things I would suggest, just narrate everything.  If she "says" anything, say "yes, that's a XXXX" and then expand on it.  The more language you can expose her to the better.  When she brings you a ball, say "thank you for getting the ball", ect.  Have you tried any signing?  If she's just not into verbalizing yet, signing may be a way to help her express her basic wants and needs until she's ready to.

roundtheworldgirl

My DD1 is 20 months old and she has very few words.  She says "Mama," "Papa," "Baby," "Baba" (for my mom), "Nana" (for DH's mom), and a couple of other names.  That's really about it. 

Try to remember that kids develop differently.  My sister didn't talk until she was 2.  She's not autistic or developmentally delayed.

tiffanylaw06

DS has been vocal from very early on, but he was always super late in all his gross motor skills. So late that I worried over every.single.one. He turned over late, crawled late, walked late, etc. My friend's child is the opposite. He was great with his motor skills but he's almost 2 and only knows a few words. He says mama and dada and I think knows their dog's name but not much else. He's been evaluated and is fine. Kids just develop so differently.