[daddymummy]

My daughter was underweight when born and is undergoing treatment for hyperthyroidism for keeping their levels normal. As of today (Sep 2009) my daughter is 3.5 year old. She is very energetic plays with her toys and other kids too. But doesn't communicate with us using speech!

She explains everything by holding our hands - pulling us into room/kitchen and pointing at a specific area. Then we pick up every object in that area and show her-if she needs it.

She only sings poems like Baba Black sheep, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and many more BUT only in 2 words is baba and mama. Thus to sing Baba Black Sheep she will say in rhyme baa ba – baa ba –babbaba...

Her hearing is tested and is fine. Any Suggestions:confused:

[jenniepepsi]

Are you encouraging her to use words? Or just letting her lead you to her object of facination?

Maybe you can try saying 'oh that's a cup. Do you want the cup? Say CUP'

[daddymummy]

Yes we keep on saying her "You want water...That is WATER". "You need this? It is a MOBILE or Remote Control or..."
But she only say her own sound i.e. oohooo ohoo, Babaa, Ooohoo

[J_9]

How low birth weight was she? Was she premature? In a NICU? What kind of pediatrician do you take her to?

Has she been tested for any of the autism spectrum disorders?

[daddymummy]

Hello J_9 thanks for replying. My daughter was born on 5-April-2006 (in the 2nd week of
9th month) she was underweight i.e. 1.7 kg. Thus she was kept in the incubator for few days to gain some weight, after that she was discharged. See attached "Discharge Summary" reports.

One month after discharged, she had urine infection and she was hospitalized for 15 days and treated for it. Later it was discovered that her Thyroid Levels were high thus the doctors told to start tablets for her - to keep her Thyroid Levels normal.

The doctors are still not sure if she has Autism! She was referred (9 months back) to Development Department but the doctors there just watched her for 10 min and told us to visit them after a years time i.e. on Jan 2010!! Because they said my daughter is just 2+ years and still too young for any kind of tests. Therefore they will only test her at 3.5+ years. [Now I am worried: Is it safe to wait that long till Jan 2010? Am I on right track? And could you please tell me what kind of doctors or department see Autistic Kids!]

One month back we insisted the pediatric doctor to refer us to Speech therapist. But the speech therapist told us to test her hearing first thus we were referred to an ear doctor.
On testing it is discovered that she can here 90% but the ear doctor want it to be 100% then only he can refer us to Speech therapist! Thus he gave cough syrup and another syrup (may be it was Zyetec), which will completely clear her hearing, and then retake her hearing test (i.e. on 11-oct-2009)!

Any other advice-something you want us to try. Thanks in advance

[J_9]

Without reading the discharge summary, your daughter was low birth weight. At 1.7kg, that equals 3 pounds 7 ounces. Due to her low birth weight she just may take longer to reach certain developmental milestones.

I suggest you try to find a pediatrician who specializes in developmental delays.

[daddymummy]

Thank You