How do you deal with conflicting information regarding your child's development?

Sounds like (pls dont get offended). I am sharing my experience in hopes you find the answers sooner than I did. My child was not speaking at 3 years old. I was so worried, I was very unfortunate, her doctor had to worry or concern. I insisted and requested referrals to specialist but he refused. I switch doctors and the same problem. I did not know there was such a specialist call "Developmental Pediatrician" If I only knew my misery would have been gone a year ago. My child was diagnosed with Autism. Autism affects a child's speech and many more areas. I now am a walking dictionary with all the terms and enough knowledge about ASD so I can get her the required help and services through the Regional Center and school. Trust me it is a hassle because they are suppose to provide my child free speech therapy and more, but they will play games with you if you don't know your rules. If you believe your child is not speaking clearly and need help, trying contacting your nearest Regional Center. They offer free services to all family. Request them to evaluate your child. Many Autistic kids will have very high gross motor skills, high IQ but cannot speak well, or communicate well, and they usually refused to play with other kids. They also have problems with changes. If this sounds like your child, Regional Center maybe able to diagnosed your child and provided other services free of charge. I hope this information helps. I love to share more data about ASD if you would love to read more. Good Luck

That is a tough one since we love our kids so much that we are always afraid that something could be wrong if they are not "exactly" like other kids their age. What we fail to think about is that children are all different and learn at different speeds wheather it is talking, the ability to do things or growing. Just because they mature and learn at a different speed than other children does not mean they have a problem. You are the best judge of your child. Watch his development now. Is it progressing? Does he do things other children his age don't? I think that we as a society tend to catagorize too quickly and look for a cure all to a problem that isn't really there to begin with. I would do things at home with him first such as reading, game playing, and lots of encouragement. If his progress is not picking up then I would get stil another opinion. Just keep in mind that we all mature and learn at different speeds.

I am the mother of 4 girls and 11 grandchildren. I will tell you the same thing I tell my kids. You know your child better then anyone else does. Go with your gut feeling and forget what "others" say. As long as you can understand your child well enough to know what he needs or wants just go with that.

Maybe he is just having trouble with talking at this time. I would not let it get to me. He is just a few months over 2 years old. I care for 2 boys that are now 7 and if they would of been worked with more as toddlers I do believe they would talk better. There dad is a single dad so he does now have them in speech. Which they are doing alot better, but it is still hard to understand them at times.

Remember, it's all just opinion. If the experts that evaluated him said that everything is OK, then just don't worry. You are the one closest to him, use your own instincts. You'll know if something isn't quite right.