17 month old needs hearing test & speech/language therapy/ADHD?

[oxfairycakexo]

My 17 month old son has seen a specialist at the hospital and now has to go for a hearing test and also speech/language therapy. He will say 'Mama' 'Gagagaga' 'Eight' (I have to count to 10 while putting his nappy on because he won't keep still and tries to start a tantrum and somehow he just picked up the word lol), ' Babababa' ..and 'yaaaayaaay' whilst clapping hands but not a lot else. He won't sit still to 'read' a book with me, so story time is really hard work.

Health visitor is also coming out in a few weeks to monitor him around the house as she thinks he is a 'very busy baby' and his half brother has ADHD..

Spencer is very busy all the time, he doesn't listen when I tell him that things are 'dangerous', 'hot', 'No', etc. if he can't get his own way he will throw himself back on the floor really hard or bang his head against the door/wall/highchair.

I don't take him to playgroup anymore as the other mothers used to look down their noses at him and it's really quite hard to control him in such a busy environment. It makes me feel like a bad mother. I also try to avoid parties, etc. because it gets so stressful.

Just wondered if anyone else has been through similar and would kindly share their experiences please, as I am very anxious.

Thanks x

 

[Top Cat]

Hi , i just joined as i wanted to reply to your post.

I spent many years working with children with special needs and children with ADHD. I think whoever is suggesting ADHD is jumping the gun, 17 months is very young to be suggesting this. To many children are being diagnosed with this and dont have it. So he's a busy little boy , so is my grandson, he wont behave for his mum wrecked the playgroup he went to and yet when i have him he is fine, kids play up for their parents mine did my daughters does. These professionals have a habit of worrying parents when they dont need to.

Does he have a set routine some children need this , or it could be his diet i have seen children turn into devils before my eyes after having drinks etc with colourings, one girl reacted so badly she reminded us of carrie from the exorcist never seen anything like it.

Hope this makes sense as i am watching my grandson at the moment and he has just emptied my kitchen cupboards , did i say he behaved for me , oh and he also throws himself on the floor when he wants to.

Please try not to worry and take him back to the playgroup, he is missing out, see if you can find someone to go with you for moral support so you can ignore the other parents who think their kids are angels , because they most certainly are not .

 

[oxfairycakexo]

Thank you for replying
I also think 17 months is too young to diagnose a child with ADHD, or anything else for that matter. Yes i definitely agree, health professionals have a habit of worrying us parents!!

He has a set routine that we stick to religiously and it seems to be working really well. His diet is definitely not a cause for concern as he is extremely healthy and if I'm honest(!) I have been told that at time, he is a little TOO healthy (is there even such a thing as being too healthy?!) He doesn't have any fizzy drink - he will only drink water or sugar free squash, and of course cows milk. His favourite things to eat are grapes, apple, peas and meat. Also raisins and apricot!

I am going to start at a new playgroup Monday morning, hopefully this oen will be a little more understand to my son's needs. Unlike the stuck up mothers at the last place.. like you said 'their kids were angels!' (Yeah, right!)

I think I had just got a little worked up with everything that my poor son has had thrown at him - I wish people would leave him be a baby and let him reach his milestones when HE is ready and not go by the textbook!

Thanks again x