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HELP!!! 7 month old displaying signs of autism or not?!!

62 replies

Mumof3bb1 · 27/04/2024 15:50

Hi,

This is my first post on here, always reading others posts, but I feel like I need some answers about my DS milestones/progress.

i’lll start with the positives so he’s 7 months and ten days and can-

Sit up unaided but only when I put him into the sitting position.

eye contact is okay will look at you but not great.

can reach out arms when I go to pick him
up.

Sleeps relatively well always, but cannot roll over only has a handful of times from belly to back, never back to belly.

Can track objects and follows people if they leave or come into the room.

Will smile at us and occasionally laugh but not a great deal. Enjoys peekaboo.

can shuffle on his tummy but backwards.
lifts feet and brings to mouth.

babbling/screeching sometimes started grunting more and tensing his whole body when laying down on back which is worrying.

OKAYYYY NOW THE NEGATIVES:

hasn’t rolled back to belly

no interest in toys won’t reach out for them himself when he’s sitting up or on tummy time, will reach out for them when on his playmat on his back and if we hand him a toy he reaches for it but goes straight into his mouth.

constantly wants to put everything into mouth.

opens and closes hand throughout the day and stares at it for a few seconds each time.

doesnt really look when we call him think he turns more to the sound not his name.

scratches surfaces not constantly but does.

when sitting on sofa or floor constantly kicking his legs like rubbing his feet together.

arms and legs always moving

wont imitate or copy sounds or if we sing to him he won’t babble along.

not clapping
won’t really cry if he’s hungry
constantly looking up at lights or ceiling even when outside looks up at trees.
has no separation anxiety.
doesn’t cry when he wakes up.
no babbling mama or dada
will look everywhere but me when he’s outside in his pram

wont attempt to hold his own bottle

looking for any help and advice please?

one very concerned mum!

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 27/04/2024 16:32

He sounds like a perfectly normal baby.
Why are you so anxious? Does autism run in the family? Even if he is autistic there are very few supports that would make the slightest bit of difference at his age.

To get a diagnosis of autism he has to hit the three main criteria and for the traits to significantly negatively impact his life and that simply won't be the case at his age. Most autistic traits are signs of perfectly normal childhood development until they continue passed an age where that is not the case.

For example my DD hating hand dryers was perfectly normal at age 3 as they are very loud and close to her ears. My 5ft10 15 year old DD still hating hand dryers and thinking they are the devils work is not so normal.

Keep a note of any unusual behaviour should you need an assessment in future and start saving so you have the option of going private. Then prioritise some support with your own anxiety and MH.

Olivebrancholivia · 27/04/2024 16:15

At 7 months babies are still little more.than glorified potatoes. Everything sounds pretty standard for their age

ElderMillenials · 27/04/2024 16:09

None of the negatives are actually negatives OP, sounds like a perfectly normal 7 month old baby.

BabySleep10Weeks · 27/04/2024 16:09

Your descriptions sound exactly like my six month old baby and he's... A six month old baby.
Im not worried. What else are they meant to be able to do exactly? (rhetorical question obvs)

WoopsLiza · 27/04/2024 16:06

My DS is autistic but I don't really recall how he was at 7mo. He is 13 now and a complete joy. Yes, he has needed non standard parenting techniques, but if you are attentive, what children need - NT or ND - becomes clear.

What I do remember about the baby years is that thinking your baby should/ shouldn't do x or y, or needs to be managed to achieve something (sleep, speaking, whatever) is the absolute thief of joy. Your LO may be autistic or may not. Nothing you are doing will alter that. Just enjoy him for who he is, it all works out in its own time amd you gain nothing whatsoever from worrying about development

MissBattleaxe · 27/04/2024 16:04

I'm guessing this is your first child? No two babies are the same and yours sounds like he is doing normal baby things. I wouldn't worry.

Deipara · 27/04/2024 16:03

At 7 months it is way too early to tell

Peonies12 · 27/04/2024 16:03

He’s a baby. Honestly all your worrying and anxiety will be passing onto him, just chill and enjoy it

OpusGiemuJavlo · 27/04/2024 16:02

Nothing that happens before age about 2yo is particularly indicative of autism. All babies develop at different rates. If your baby doesn't catch up developmentally over the next few months then autism isn't the go-to automatic diagnosis anyway. Focus on all the brilliant and positive things - obsessing about perceived deficiencies isn't healthy for you or your baby.

BarryKentPoet · 27/04/2024 16:02

All babies put things into their mouth - they learn the most orally at this age.
When out in his pram, he will be fascinated by everything else - he sees your face all the time.
Seperation anxiety, if it happens, is usually around 9/10 months.
He probably wouldn't know his name at this age, but will recognise your voice.
Still a bit young for proper babbling but keep an eye on this.
Mine didn't cry when they woke up, they were good at entertaining themselves for a bit.
Think clapping is between 8 - 15 months.

JanglyBeads · 27/04/2024 15:59

They all sound pretty normal for his age OP? What makes you think they aren't?

BarryKentPoet · 27/04/2024 15:59

I think you are worrying too much, I've had 3 children who are all NT and they did everything on your "negatives" list. They're fairly normal baby behaviours.