[Pooks*potters]

Sorry to post in this section but I figure you are all the experts.

I would like to get DS (11 months) assessed/looked at by a professional in terms of his language. He doesn't babble, has no words, but the main thing that concerns me is that he doesn't seem to understand any words either (though we do have hand signals we use and he responds to). I am very confident it isn't a hearing issue as we had him tested at birth and at 8 months because of my own hearing issues (now at a functional level) and I know some of the tricks to check. He does blow raspberries, squeal and grunt, and makes a "hungry noise" like ermmermmerm. I do talk to him, read to him, sing, I don't think it's got to do with any of that.

My GP is friendly and agreeable and she has always made whatever referrals I've requested, though tends not to make any suggestions as such. I am not a big fan of my MCHN as in the past she has brushed off some of my concerns which have later been found to be well founded (my own mental health, DS's reflux and then later his eczema). What kind of specialist do you think I'd be best asking for? And if anyone is in northern Melb and knows exactly where I should go, please PM

TIA.

[kandj]

If you are really worried I'd look at getting referred to a Developmental Paed. Maybe a speech pathologist?

[baddmammajamma]

Another vote for developmental paed + speech therapist. I would see both, not one in lieu of the other.

Developmental paeds are experts in child development (hence the name ) and will look across all aspects of your son's development to see if there are any issues or potential issues - including things that extend beyond speech & communications. However, given that the waiting list is likely to be long (private or public), at least you can get the ball rolling by consulting a good speech therapist.

I hope some of the Melb mums will chime in with suggestions. Below is a list of professionals in the Eastern & Northern suburbs who are well versed in ASD-related stuff -- I'm not implying that your little guy has ASD, but generally speaking, professionals who work with kids with ASD really know their stuff re normal v. atypical development. There are speech therapists & developmental paeds listed within:

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/spppm/researc...n-directory.pdf

I will also check my archives & see if I have some good personal recs.

[Pooks*potters]

Thank you for that I will see the GP Wednesday and ask for a referral to a speech therapist and developmental paed.

[rosiebird]

Pools, you need an audiology assessment first and foremost, then a speechie and then a paediatrician.

[Pooks*potters]

Thanks Rosiebird I will get him tested again. My hearing loss is related to my cleft palate, which DS didn't inherit, and the tests he has had looked good, but it's worth checking.

[peppaandgeorge]

OP, I just tried to PM you with some recommendations for paed and speech (I'm also in Melb's north), but it failed, twice.

This is my first time trying to PM someone - does anyone know what I might be doing wrong? When I hit 'send message' it came back saying my message must be more than 3 characters long, which obviously it was...

[baddmammajamma]

P&G:

Make sure you have something in the "title"line -- like "Hi!""or "Recommendations"

[peppaandgeorge]

BMJ - made sure I had something in the title, but still no joy...

[Iliketophaff]

P&G - I'd also like to see your suggestion of a speech path. We currently go to essendon, happy with the service but the travel does me in.