Newbie advice about my little boy

[malfranco]

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted a bit of advice regarding possible causes to why my 2 year old son is not developing.

Logan is a 23month old who has had his fair share of problems had gastroenteritous when he was 9months and has been being sick and not feeding properly ever since. Until about 8 weeks ago had some steriods and is on an inhaler now stopped his sickness completely.

Problem is Logan has not reach any of his milestones and wondering if there is some underlying problem.

He does not walk, talk, point at things, has to have dummy at night and cries if it falls out. Once he realises he is in his cot cries until he comes into our bed.

At first I thought it was just his reflux and feeding issues but now I am not so sure. He has had a MRI and that shows articles but this might have been because he would not keep still.

Had his ruth griffin assessment said he is about 1 year behind.

Its difficult because all our friends babies are doing things that Logan can't or wont, these babies are also 4 or 5 months younger than Logan.

Logan seems very alert and likes watching tv playing with the iphone, does not repeat anything you say and Nan Nan (means dummy) and Mam Mam (bottle). Mostly sits on his knee and flaps his arms and wiggles his feet and hands all the time.

The paeds team have said see how he is in a year the problem being is there something wrong that needs sorting out now.

Anyone that has had this with there child and can give some advice it would be greatly received obvious people are not doctors but knowledge is everything.

My wife and I are beside ourselve with worry regarding Logan and I know children develop at different stages but is it more than that.

Thanks all.

[2boyzmama]

Welcome to MDC!

If I understand this correctly, he is not walking or talking (with the exception of a word for his dummy (is that a pacifier?) and his bottle)? At 23 months old, both of those would definitely concern me!

You said he sees a pediatrician...perhaps it's time for a new dr! Where do you live? You should look up the Early Intervention in your area, different states and counties call the program by different names, but your pediatrician should be able to tell you the contact info. You could also try calling the local hospital and asking them for the contact info. Early Intervention will do their own assessments and will provide services (usually for free) if he qualifies (which he will). We got speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy through Early Intervention until my son turned 3.

Does your son see any other drs? Who prescribed the steroids and inhaler? A Pulmonologist? Who is treating his reflux? He should have a Gastroenterologist managing him. You should ask for a referral to a Developmental Pediatrician as well.

Keep us posted! Hang in there!!

[marge234]

You are right that the advice to wait a year is unacceptable, the doctors who are dealing with your son's physical issues are absolutely wrong about development. It sounds like you're not in the US. I don't know how you would access the specialists you need. As PP said in in the US there's an early intervention program that enables people to get their children evaluated even if their pediatrician doesn't see a problem. Maybe there are people in the "tribe" area of MDC who live where you do and can help you figure out how to see someone who can help your son.

Good for you for advocating for your baby! Good luck.

[BookGoddess]

Welcome to MDC.

Based on some of your terminology, it sounds to me like you're not in the US. Are you in the UK?

I'm not sure what Early Intervention programs you have there, but I would contact the Health Department to see what free services they offer to children 0-3 years of age who have delays and special needs. I found the following online. Maybe you can contact them (assuming you're in the UK).
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmat...sendisability/

I had to look up the Ruth Griffiths test because I haven't heard of it here in the USA. If your son is 1 year behind did the evaluators mention what services he would receive? Did they just do the test and not offer any follow up services?

[PikkuMyy]

Hi,

I'm a special education teacher who does early intervention, as well as babysitting and years of nannying for typical children. I'm glad you came here to post, as I would be very concerned about your son's development.

I'm almost flabberghasted at the pediatricians who think you should wait another year when your son is already almost a year behind.

He should have started pointing and using single words a long time ago. Walking can be fairly variable as to when kids start, but by 23 months, if he's not, there's a problem.

Is he crawling or using furniture to get around? Does he use other forms of nonverbal communication? Is he interested in toys?

[sbgrace]

I agree with everyone else that waiting makes no sense with those types of delays at his age.

My son had similar (but also different) health and developmental combination symptoms. He had a metabolic condition we finally discovered at 3.5. Here is information I wrote up about signs of that and I can try to help you if you need further information about that/if it looks likely for your son. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=734501

My son received an autism dx. at 2.5 and he was diagnosed with a metabolic condition affecting mitochondrial function at 3.5. The two (and all his feeding/reflux/delays) were connected for him. He's doing pretty well with treatment.

[Pookietooth]

Yes, your son should have already had an evaluation by now, waiting another year is not right. Another dr may have a different opinion. He may have celiac or some other medical condition. Is he anemic?