Bun started shaking his head at around 20 months and nodding a few months later if I recall? He actually knew a few signs before he could nod his head. He has a speech delay so we did signing with him - it made such a difference for all of us! xx

Thanks Sun, I remember you saying in another post about the sign. I was hoping to have the speech therapy app and discuss it with them more but they're really dragging their feet with the initial app. I have a feeling that something isn't quite right but I can't put my finger on it. He still doesn't point, well he does but just to things in books and on the tv but he puts his finger on the things, he doesn't point from afar at things if you know what I mean. I think he maybe has a development delay of sorts but I just want someone to see him, at the mo I'm blaming myself, I just wonder if there's something I should be doing more ... x

Please don't blame yourself at all - it's not because of something you are or aren't doing. I know it can feel like it is though - especially when people say things like "Have you tried reading to him?" I would get "helpful" comments like this on and off and then start to worry that I was doing something wrong. But really you aren't - just keep doing what you're doing!

For us signing was really helpful - we just started with the sign for help and once he got that one we added a few more. I also cut the pictures out of the box of some things he liked (like his favourite cereal) and he could point to the picture if he wanted it. Once he got that I took a photo of some of his favourite things and he could use the photos to communicate what he wanted. Does your LO communicate with you in other ways - like babbling, sounds, gestures, facial expression, etc? Signing and speech are an extension of that so you might want to try a few signs with him. Pick something you know he would want to say so that he'll be motivated to use it. Some people start with eat or drink, but Bun started with action stuff like help and open. Once they get the hang of it, you can add more signs but just start with 1 or 2. Bun took a while to sign back to us though! xx

Thanks :-) that's really helpful. He communicates by bringing us things, such as if he can't get the lid off of a toy or he'll bring us books to read. He makes sounds and does say banana for all food. He's very affectionate and gives lots of cuddles and I know that these are all positive signs. It's just hard not to think am I not talking to him enough, does he watch too much telly, is he stimulated enough..the list goes on. I know what you mean as well about the comments, my Mum asked if I read to him, I was really offended but I know she's just trying to be helpful in her own way lol. I tried to find signing classes but I can't see any in my area but I'm gong to search online and see what I can find there. xxxx