Does this sound like autism?

[PoloNeckProdigy]

My nephew is a little behind on some developmental milestones, and I wondered whether this sounds like autism or perhaps some other kind of sensory processing condition?

Symptoms / behaviours are:

• was slow to sit up, crawl and walk (roughly 5 months behind average)

• very delayed speed. Currently 2.5 years old and has perhaps 15 / 20 words. Doesn’t use any sentences or put words together. Hasn’t gained any new words in the last few months.

• won’t follow even simple instructions like ‘come here’ etc - doesn’t seem to understand

• doesn’t seek out physical affection (won’t ask to be picked up unless something has frightened or upset him, will tolerate being cuddled but doesn’t go looking for cuddles)

• generally shy / introverted

He’s generally a smiley, cheerful child but he can get very frustrated, I think because he can’t express himself. He doesn’t interact much with adults but I don’t know how much of that is lockdown related - he’s hardly seen anyone other than his parents.

Delayed speech not speed!

YABU. No one here can possibly know.

As the pp said, absolutely no way of knowing whatsoever. Just going on what you've said it sounds like could be a speech delay. Or it could be a hearing problem. Or it could be autism. Or could be a whole other thing entirely. If his parents are worried they can go to their GP or health visitor.

They’ve tried to get an appointment with their HV but because of CV it’s only over the phone so not that useful.

Parents are best to see their GP if they have any concerns - maybe have his hearing checked?

What I can tell you as a parent of 2 autistic children is that one was walking at 9 months, the other at 10 months. Met all their milestones and then some - both highly verbal. Eldest was never a cuddly child, youngest used to throw themselves on me, wanting constant love and cuddles. Autism is so varied from person to person, so best to get a HCP to check him over if parents are worried.

If I was them, I'd ask their GP to refer to children development services. There'll be a very long wait in any case, even in normal times it can be months - so the sooner they can get in the system now the better. If their concerns have diminished nearer the time they can cancel.

That's assuming they have a responsive GP of course... if i was them I'd give a full list of all concerns, if it's all written down it's harder to fob off. They will probably be offered a hearing test in any case - I was with my ds (who was diagnosed with ASD aged 3).

Firstly the introversion and shyness thing is neither here nor there - that isn't a sign of neurodiversity.

Everything else you've mentioned could be part of a wider picture of red flags which might point to ASD but then again are all still quite normal developmentally.

Does he respond to his name and does he point with one finger? How does he play?

Also, it shouldn't matter if they can only speak to GP or HV over the phone. The important thing is that they stress clearly what their concerns are, and not let themselves be fobbed off just because their HV can't see them in person. Fwiw my HV was useless when I went to her about my ds. I had to go back to my GP and he referred to paed development services just from what I said.

It's possible, yes. But other possibilities are social communication disorder, a language processing disorder, global developmental delay, or Just Being Two. Some children develop more slowly at this age with delays that they genuinely do grow out of - others will go on to be diagnosed with some form of additional need.

The only thing standing out to me is not seeming to understand instructions. Everything else sounds like it can be age appropriate (not at the worry point). When lockdown is over his mum should ask for a face to face HV assessment, they should be doing them even now.

Pretty much everything there sounds in the boundaries of normal other than following demands

The fist few posters are being ridiculous. Of course OP isn't asking for a definitive diagnosis of autism over the internet she's asking whether this could be autism. Yes OP to me it does sound like there are red flags for some kind of developmental issue here, possibly ASD. I would definitely push for an assessment. Is he at nursery? I would definitely encourage Dsis to put him in nursery, the social aspect might help bring on his speach and the staff there could also see what they think about his development.

Get his hearing checked as the first step. Glue ear, for example could explain a lot of these issues.

I have autistic twins and this sounds very familiar to me, but there were other signs (no pointing, no copying people, etc). They actually weren’t delayed at first but then had regressions about 18 months old.

Ask the HV about the 27 month check, assuming it hasn’t been done due to COVID. She can complete the questionnaires and the HV can grade it and make a referral if needed. Also see if you can self refer to SALT in the area - we did, via a drop in which I’m sure aren’t happening now but there must be other ways.

It's impossible to say. It could be but it could also be developmental delay or many other things.

Get them to take the M-CHAT-R online test and if the score is high then push for a referral.

www.autismspeaks.org/screen-your-child

Might be, might not be. Too young to really tell, and nothings really exceptional for a neurotypical there. Most of the issues seem to be down to a speech delay, so I'd be more concerned about hearing problems.

You say he was 5months behind average walking, but when did he actually do those things. Average is average for a reason, it's not the goal.

As others have flagged up, it could be significant that your nephew "won't follow instructions". There is a form of autism known as PDA - (Persistent Demand Avoidance), though I don't know how it would show in a toddler.

I agree with Title - it could be a help to his parents if you keep notes of what concerns you: you might notice things that his parents miss.

It just sounds like a 2 year old.

Why are you asking this here? If the parents are worried they should go to their GP. It could be anything or nothing.

Age 2 is not “too young to tell”. Both of my twins were already diagnosed by the age of this child. It might be nothing but it’s important to check these things out, and the wait can be long.

How much have you/do you see him? He may have issues but it may be that isolation and a lack of stimulation has contributed. HV is a good starting point. Does he have a nursery place?

Does he wave or point? Walk on tiptoes?

My DS is profoundly autistic.

Learnt to wave around 8 and learnt to point at 9 (middle finger pointing). Walked on tiptoes from 12 months old.

@SinkGirl

Age 2 is not “too young to tell”. Both of my twins were already diagnosed by the age of this child. It might be nothing but it’s important to check these things out, and the wait can be long.

My DS was diagnosed at 28 months but it was so obvious from 13 months onwards.