almost 4 year old not speaking

[francine85]

my daughter is 4 in july this year, she does not speak or say sentences,the only words she says are mum dad dorothy,bottle goodbye.i went to a pediatrician she said shee has traits of autism and she is at the level of a 16 month old.but she is at the level of a 4 and a  half year old in intelligence.she is smart and she is very loving..when i ask her to do something like pick up the toy,she will just scream and cry, like she does not understand me.and throw her self on the ground,im extreqmly worried because she will be 5 next year and thats when she should go to school,i dont want heer to go to a special school.im just asking if there is anyway as iam a single mum with no family around and another child that is coping hes older sister,and their father is not around..if you could give me some advice on what to do or put down a routine as im desperatly needing help to help my children be the best they can be.pleasse.thank you fran

[francine85]

thanks for your advice she is 4 in july this year.i have been on the wwaiting list for a specialist because i cant aford private,,its going to take me a year b4 i can get in and i have many re referals sent to them but no change with that..i just want to know what else i could do in the meantime top help her,surely i could do something at home while i wait for professional help

[RockRose]

Oops,  can't tell from your wording,  sounds like she's actually maybe 4 1/2.

Best wishes.

[RockRose]

Francine,  she needs early childhood intervention.  When her pediatrician examined her and found her significantly delayed,  did you get a referral for a full evaluation?  I don't know how your medical insurance system works in Australia,  but you need to find an occupational therapist to evaluate her completely and recommend treatments.  It's hard to know if your son is actually copying her behavior,  or if he in fact has the same delays she has and so is behaving the same way.

The earlier you seek treatment,  the better.  She's already 3 1/2,  so she really needs assessment and intervention soon to have the most benefit.

Very cute bathtime picture,  by the way!