Feeling concerned when your child isn’t meeting certain milestones is completely understandable. At 4 years old, most children can speak in full sentences, follow instructions, and interact socially. So, if your son is showing speech delays and behavioural issues, it is important to check further.
Before moving ahead, you might consider:
Have you already consulted a paediatrician or speech therapist?
Has your child undergone any tests like a hearing evaluation, developmental screening, or autism assessment?
If not, the first step is a comprehensive developmental evaluation. This involves:
A visit to a developmental paediatrician
Possible assessment by a speech-language pathologist and a child psychologist
Screening for conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or ADHD, if needed
In Mumbai, you can consider:
SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mahalaxmi – trusted for child development and therapy programs
Kokilaben Hospital, Andheri, has an advanced Child Development Centre
I'm sorry you're feeling this way. Since you've already had tests like ECG, Echo, IgE (serum), and lung function tests, which came back normal, but you're still experiencing breathing problems for the last 5 months, here are a few possible causes to consider:
Possible Causes
Anxiety or panic-related breathing issues (often missed)
GERD (acid reflux) causing chest tightness or breathlessness
Allergies or undetected asthma
Muscle fatigue or post-viral effects
Anaemia or low haemoglobin
Next Steps
Get a chest X-ray and CBC (Complete Blood Count) if not done.
Consult a pulmonologist for a second opinion.
Consider seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist if anxiety or panic is suspected.
Maintain a symptom diary (timing, triggers, severity) to help identify patterns.
Precautions
Avoid dust, smoke, cold air, and heavy exertion.
Practice deep breathing exercises daily.
Elevate your head while sleeping if reflux is suspected.
Stay hydrated and follow a healthy, non-spicy diet.
Please don’t ignore persistent symptoms—early diagnosis helps with better recovery. Wishing you relief and better health soon.