To worry that DS 13mo may have ASD or something else?

[Februaryblooms]

DS is 13 months, I know that's still extremely young but I can't shake the feeling that something is a bit different about him. My worries are compounded by DP's older child having been confirmed as ASD and DP is most definitely on the spectrum albeit undiagnosed.

DS doesn't respond to his name being called, even if I get down to his height and say his name repeatedly he'll look straight past me and won't make eye contact, just try to squirm away. He's obsessed with the wheels on his toy cars and will sit spinning them for ages but doesn't actually play with them. He doesn't wave and doesn't clap, he doesn't point. He's not very affectionate and hates being held and cuddled. He never sits still to interact with us, he just wants to be left to his own devices.

His hearing is fine by the way, there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with his hearing at all. If he hears a theme tune from the other room he'll come straight in and go to the tv.

He hasn't started talking yet, the only 'words' he says is "mmmummum" but only the noise, he doesn't associate it to me. He did say "dadadadad" for a week or so but hasn't since.

Some reaasuring signs would be that he likes playing boo when he's in the mood, and laughs and runs when me and DP pretend to hide and chase him. He's walking well, feeding himself well, sleeping well.

I spend hours every day trying to interact with him and teach him words, objects etc but he has absolutely no interest in me at all

AIBU to be worrying about this so early on?

If does not matter if you are bu or not in terms if you are jumping the gun. You’re a parent who is worried and that is always reasonable. Has he had his one year check with the HV? This would be the place to raise your concerns.

It is too early, yes. The major markers for ASD at this stage are not meeting developmental milestones and it's still early for pointing and clapping.

YANBU, we picked up on similar signs in DS around the same age. I'd mention it to your HV when they next visit or if they're not sure for a while visit the GP and see what they say.

*Not due

Defo talk to your health visitor. Though it is too early for any sort of diagnosis it would help to talk it all through with a professional. Can he wave?

He hasn't had a one year review. The last time we saw a health visitor was when he was around 7 months, she did something of a 'review' then and said he seemed to be developing well apart from a little behind on social development.

Haven't heard a peep from her about a one year review, although I will be seeing her soon regardless as I'm expecting DC2 and she'll be the same health visitor we have so I can bring it up then.

He doesn't wave no

Nor does he clap or point.

Yep, I would be speaking with HV or GP. We saw signs of ASD in DS as early as 9 months. Everything you have listed above, plus some other stuff too. HV said they couldn’t do anything until his 2 year check, so we began keeping records of behaviours etc ready for the 2 year check. In our case things moved really quickly and he was diagnosed as 2 years 3 months old. He’s now a big handsome clever 10 year old

My 15 month old doesn't clap, point or wave. But I'm not worried. I think it's far too early to be thinking about this at the moment.

Your DS sounds like mine at that age. I raised my concerns at our 1 year check and we had a hearing test then started speech and language. Due to normal waiting times etc he was much closer to 2 when he started SALT therapy. After a while she referred to the peadiatrician who recently diagnosed ASD he is now 4.

Agree at this stage it's more about missing milestones!

My ASD child had all of those signs at that age. Looking back, there was also stimming but I hadn't noticed it was abnormal yet. Massive regression at 15 months and hasn't spoken since I would see your doctor as just in case it is autism, it's good to access early intervention.

I could never love him any less, he's my absolute world. I just feel a little sad when I see other mums interacting with their toddlers and can't help but wish DS was the same with me. DP is defensive about his older sons diagnosis and doesn't like children being labelled, but from what I've read up about - early intervention is key and can help no end.

What happens at SALT by the way? Is there anything I can implement at home in the meantime as regardless of whether or not he may have ASD I would like to encourage his speech as best I can (if I can hold his attention)

Have you heard of the M-CHAT test, OP? I’ll see if I can find a link. I’m sorry to say I’d be a little concerned as well. My DS2 has ASD and your DS does sound like he shows some signs. He is still young, though and nobody will diagnose him at this age and we certainly can’t through an anonymous forum. But I’d ask your HV for advice and trust your gut.

Ah stimming..

I forgot to mention that @piopina

He is forever shaking his head as if to say "no" but not in the context of the word no, he just does it. Alot.

There's also some flailing of the arms when walking and running but I wasn't as concerned about that as I thought maybe that was normal at his age?

I havent heard of that @EllenJanesthickerknickers no

A link would be great if you can find one, thank you

www.researchautism.net/glossary/970/modified-checklist-for-autism-in-toddlers-m-chat

Ask for referral to paediatrician for assessment
They can use bayley scale or Griffiths fir general devekooment and m chat.
Signing makaton .....and use photos to point to to choose ..or objects of reference ..show .toy car to say "we going in the car" etc. .never too early to start .

Development

Not devekooment

My son had definite signs of problems with joint attention at that age and we thought it was autism at 18 months, diagnosed aged 3.

Have a look at intensive interaction. This has helped with my DS.

It doesn’t sound very concerning just yet. 13 months is still very young. If he hasn’t made much progress (particularly on things like pointing and waving) by 18 months then yes, I’d start to be worried.

But I agree you should talk to the HV and share your concerns.

Info here www.intensiveinteraction.org/

Cross post. I hope it’s useful. My DS2 is 19 now and very much loved. I always say that getting a diagnosis (DX) won’t change your lovely boy but early intervention is very helpful. Also any interventions for autism won’t harm a child who turns out not to be autistic, they are just helpful parenting techniques. I recommend the ‘More than Words’ book as well. I’ll chase up a link to that. It’s a SALT method/parenting guide for autistic children to help with their communication.

Certainly at his age it could be something or nothing, but worth asking your HV for a review.

I had questions/concerns about my DS at the same age (although on completely different grounds), and indeed he is now being assessed for ASD at 4. I think it is absolutely possible to see differences at this age, although diagnosis needs to be later of course.