2 year old son not talking and history of autism in the family

Ourania

I would like to ask u i got a son 29 months old who is not talking at all only making and coping sounds from us. We have a history for autism from his 2 older brothers from dads previous marriage. The gp has made a referral with a speech therapist but this can take up tp 12 months as the list is very long. We attend a children centre twice a week which doesnt seem to do much at least for now. I found online after a research i did that a educational psychologist may be able to help also so i am open to any help guide advices can be offerd as at the moment i got no other means to help my little boy than waiting for the appointment. Thank you everyone in advance and sorry for the long post.

JennysDad

Hello @Ourania and a warm welcome to our community. I am glad you have found us, but very, very sorry to hear of your difficulties.
Sadly, I'm not an expert on these subjects, but we have people here who know a great deal more than I do, and others who will have been through similar situations themselves. Some of them will be along to speak to you in due course, so please bear with us.
Don't apologise for 'long posts' by the way. This is a place for you to speak, openly and as you need to, and nobody's going to be counting the words. We're here to listen, not to criticize.
A couple of routes through here suggest themselves to me, but it is hard to know for the best without more detail. You might try looking at (and posting in) our 'Ask a parenting advisor' (it's close to the bottom of the 'Talk to a community advisor' links below and to the right of the screen), but I think it would be a good idea to have a look at the 'Ask an ASD advisor' forum, linked here: https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-asd-advisor
I'm here and listening, @Ourania and will do anything I can to support you through this very tough time,
Warmest best wishes,
Richard

steve51

Hi @Ourania

It’s great to meet you this evening.

I’m very sorry to hear about your current situation.

We have got some info below for you:

https://www.scope.org.uk/support/families/diagnosis/autism

Please please let me know if I can help you further???

Sam_Alumni

Hi @Ourania

Welcome to the community, do you see a Health Visitor? They can be fantastic resources for support and help!

Ourania

Hi everyone sorry for the delay to answer u all @JennysDad and @steve51. @Sam_Scope the health visitor suggested to attend a nursery but it is impossible to do because of our money situation so we attend a children centre for free twice per week and i am on list to see a speech therapist but this can tame up to 12 months

Sam_Alumni

Your 2-year-old can get free early education and childcare if you live in England and get one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit - if you and your partner are on a low income from work (this usually means a combined income of less than £15,400 a year after tax)
• tax credits and you have an annual income of under £16,190 before tax
• the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
• the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

A child can also get free early education and childcare if any of the following apply:

• they’re looked after by a local council
• they have a current statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• they get Disability Living Allowance
• they’ve left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order

If you’re eligible the free early education and childcare:

• must be with an approved childcare provider
• starts from the term after your child’s 2nd birthday

Contact your childcare provider or local council to find out more.

Does any of these apply to you? You might also like to contact the National Autistic Society you can see their helplines here.

Sam_Alumni

@Ourania I would also say that all kids are different, my youngest didnt speak or walk till well over 2 years, and I think it was because he was the youngest and so he let others speak for him.  I used a lot of play with him, I spoke to him all the time and asked him questions that didnt require yes or no, so "would you like some apple or some banana? Would you like mummy to read a book or shall we play with the train?"

Attending groups is great, are there any other play groups or parent and child groups around you? It can really help to chat with other parents and carers and see the wide spectrum of ability in kids.

@motherscuffer do you have any ideas on play and speech that might help? 

motherscuffer

@motherscuffer do you have any ideas on play and speech that might help? 

The main thing we found that helped was using Makaton alongside saying the words, even just learning some simple signs to aid his communication can help lots. Arthur’s first sign was “dog” but he also used signs to say when he wanted a drink or biscuit. 

Ourania

Hello everyone @Sam_Scope thank u for all ur help unfortunately i m not taking any benefits so early education at the moment is a no. Also a lovely lady took charge of my son (she is running the local children centre i m attending) and she will help me take the first steps for the refferrals i need. Unfortunately there was no referral for the speech therapist so she will do one and 2 months waiting is wasted!!! I will be attending twice per week the children centre and once a play group. Also i am on a list for a service that a specialist is coming home and help you with everyday things for your child. Its called portage service. So at the moment is a waiting for us and hope for the best.

Ourania

@motherscuffer hi yes the lady who runs the children centre i am going talked about the makaton language and we started with 2 signs but its very early days to see any progress. For the moment my little boy is looking at me no sign of moving hands etc

Ourania

Hi again, just an update of our situation we got funded 15 hours per week and we start nursery in september and at the moment we see a lady from the Portage programme through council but it's early days yet to see some progress.  My little one is a very happy healthy boy but still no talking, we have noticed that he is making lots more sounds and he understands us more. At the moment it's school holidays here in uk so all we do is at home activities and if weather possible some outdoor walks. Anyone have any advice for free activites for toddlers in the spectrum???? Also any mom with experience in potty training an autistic child as we didnt have any success.  Thank you everyone for all the info and support. Take care xx

Pippa_Alumni

Hi @Ourania, thanks for updating us! I'm glad to hear that things have progressed, and I'm also tagging in @NicolaLatheySLT in case she can advise any further.

It may also be worth speaking to the NAS to see if they have any events or recommendations for school holiday activities. All the best to you and your little one!