Special Needs

15 months old and I'm concerned

Hi! I've never posted here before, but you all seem very knowledgeable, and I need someone to talk to. My family brushes me off and makes me feel like I'm overreacting, which I know I'm not. Anyway, I have a beautiful 15 month old son and I've been worried about him since he was 9 months old. He has 1 word and 1 "gesture" - "byebye" with a wave. He does not seem to have much receptive language that I can tell. He doesn't "listen", doesn't respond to questions, and doesn't seem to respond to his name when called. I've gotten a referral to EI, but they haven't called me yet, and I've also made an appointment to get his hearing checked, but that's in October. He's a very sweet, joyful boy. Not particularly cuddly, but he never has been, but has become moreso since he's been older. I work nights, as does my husband, and I'm afraid some (or all) of this might be my fault. I find myself so tired, and easily frustrated with him when he won't "come here" when I tell him to or even sit with me to read a book - He hasn't got time for that, apparently. He's clever and can figure something out (a toy, a door knob, the remote - whatever) SO FAST. He babbles a lot, but it's mostly the same 1 syllable 'dadadadadadadada" over. and. over. again. I'm terrified of what the EI people are going to tell me. How do I let go of my fear and enjoy my baby while he still is one? Sorry for the ramble. I'm not sure that I'm even making much sense or giving you anything to go on. Thanks.
Love: 5/2004
Marriage: 4/2008
Baby Carriage #1: 5/2012
Baby Carriage #2: 1/2016


Re: 15 months old and I'm concerned

  • To auntie's point, what you're saying may point to a language delay.  I know it's only one thing but the one thing they kept harping on when we were going through this with our little guy was whether or not he pointed or tried to engage you/dad in anything.  We notice it now with our 16 month old.  He'll bring us something he's found and thinks is interesting - he'll bring it over to "show" us and he points at everything now.  So that's something to look at.  Other than the pointing our littlest one also really has one gesture - "bye bye".  

    I can't tell you to not be scared because I think that's just a given for every parent of ANY type of child but know that if he does need some extra help, you've already taken step 1 and no matter what happens, he's still your beautiful son and he's still just as huggable, kissable as ever.  


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  • I totally understand your feelings.  When my son was 18 months, he only said maybe one word and didn't seem to understand what was being said to him.  I had him eval with EI, hearing test, which he passed and then onto OT/ST/PT eval. He was dx with SPD, expressive and receptive speech delay. We began therapy right away.  Every specialist we have seen from neuro, deve peds, ST/OT/PT said the earlier you begin therapies the better outcome, especially if you can start before 2 yrs.  I think it's great to start the EI route now. If they don't call you this week I would call them.  Sometimes you have to be the squeaky wheel if ya know what I mean. Don't be afraid of a diagnosis. I know easier said than done. What's a diagnosis gonna do for you? It's only gonna direct you to what services your child needs. Be proactive and an advocate for your child.Good job mama.
  • I'm late to the game here, but I just wanted to say I went through similar stuff with my son and my family also brushed it off. He's been doing ST and OT for 10 months now and we've seen slow and steady improvement. I will tell you that just having the hearing test and evals made me feel so much better. They have all been so encouraging and now that I know we're headed in the right direction, I've been able to sort of let go and love and enjoy the chaos and fun he brings to my life. I hope once you've had the evals done you can feel better and move in the right direction and in the meantime, cut yourself some slack and love on that boy when he'll let you and run along behind him when he won't. 
    A 4/26/10 and B 6/13/11
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