Second Year

It was during Michael's second year that we really began to get worried, and realise something wasn't right.  Physically, he was fine.  He rolled over, crawled, sat, stood and walked at all the right times.  There was some fine motor skills that possibly should have developed more, but they weren't as obvious then.  The two things that become obvious at this time, was his speech delay, and his social delay.

His first words were numbers, being able to count to over 100 before 18 months.  He never got the numbers wrong, and was even able to to simple addition at this age as well.  The problem was, that numbers were his only words for a long time.  There was no mum or dad, or drink or bread, or any other words that should have been coming.  Eventually he did say other words.  Thomas (the tank engine), Bob (the builder), and eventually, by around two, I think he was starting to say mum and dad.  But it was a very long time coming.  I had so many people at this time saying things like "don't worry, he has an older sister to speak for him, he'll talk when he's ready",  or "...boys are always slower to talk than girls.  He'll be fine."  So many people saying there was no problem, and not to worry, but I think I knew something wasn't right.

His social delay wasn't quite so easy to spot to the casual observer.  A normal childs development is something like :

1. Mouthing toys
2. Holding toys
3. Using toys
4. Playing with toys
5. Playing with toys next to others (parallel play)
6. Playing with toys with others (turn taking) etc

That isn't a complete list, but Michael reached the holding toys stage, and didn't develop from there for quite a while, possibly well into his 4th year.

It was during this second year that we first approached a professional for advice.