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Original poster

Does this sound like my son is autistic? 19 months old! Help please.

89 replies

momof3boys5 · 26/05/2021 21:38

My son is 19 months old. He says around 10 words right now, but he does babble all day long. I’m slightly concerned at the lack of speech but he’s my first born so unsure how speech develops in this age, but by what I’ve read it seems ok to have around 10 words right now. I’ve been on the Mchat screening for autism as I’ve seen a few people recommend it and after answering all the questions he scored a 0 which is the lowest risk. He points to show me things, to what he wants, he gives me eye contact, he’s affectionate, he’ll role play answering a phone, or he’ll watch me hoover and grab his little hoover and clean to. He’s smily, expressive. Loves other children.

⁃	Lays on the floor sometimes to push cars around. I’ve read somewhere this can mean autism? Something about the way a child views a toy. He only does this occasionally. But will move onto his front and says brum as he pushes them.
⁃	Last few days he randomly walks on his tip toes, happens for about 5 seconds and then he won’t do it again. He’s never done it before? Don’t know why he’s doing it now all of a sudden. He’s been walking since 11 months. 
⁃	Has started to line things up. Is this a schema that all children go through, or is lining things up a link to autism? He lines his  cars and dinosaurs up the most.
⁃	At nursery he will join in with the other kids but plays along side the other children/alone a lot of the time, but apparently children his age play along side each other. He only goes 1 day a week, so it’s still all new for him. He was 6 months old when lockdown began so didn’t have a lot of socialising and he’s almost 2 now, he does brilliantly with how little he was able to socialise with other children.

Is he just a toddler being a toddler or is it something I should be concerned about? Members of my family keep making comments and it makes me so anxious. Advice please, feeling super worried and just need some advice.

OP posts:
Pollypudding · 26/05/2021 22:04

Have you seen this website- loads of great advice and activities for helping with your child’s communication www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people

Pivotthesofa · 26/05/2021 22:08

My 17 month old only has two words, doesn't point to his nose etc yet when you ask him too but plays with cars, shape sorters, stacks blocks etc and points to show you things and what he wants.
I have no concerns. I think communication may be delayed for some lockdown babies especially those who haven't been to nursery etc.

TheKeatingFive · 26/05/2021 22:08

Absolutely nothing concerning there.

Things like lining up toys are activities most children do to some degree. It would be concerning if the child does nothing else in the way of play or continues to do this when much older, but as an occasional toddler pass time, not worrying in the slightest.

Pinkflipflop85 · 26/05/2021 22:09

You have described a neuro typical toddler.

Lining things up is a schema.

Walking on tiptoes...he has probably just realised he can!

ChampionOfTheSun · 26/05/2021 22:10

I think if I remember rightly from my childcare course children play alongside other children, not with them (parallel play) until around 3, so I'm sure that part is absolutely normal.

AntiSocialDistancer · 26/05/2021 22:11

@SnarkyBag

My son has ASD and doesn’t tip toe walk or line things up. The lining things up thing is a bit more complex than that in ASD and If it were related to autism you would probably be seeing a lot more repetitive play styles of behaviour and other issues. Nothing you’ve posted would raise a flag IMO for ASD. What your describing can be associated traits but also when seen in isolation are quite typical developmentally appropriate behaviours.
This entirely. My son has ASD and exhibits very few of the "known classic" traits that would lead you to presume ASD.
TheKeatingFive · 26/05/2021 22:12

My almost 3 year old, who’s clearly neuro-typical, loves running on tip toes. I have no idea why, it’s just a thing he does.

ChampionOfTheSun · 26/05/2021 22:12

Sorry posted too soon, (wriggly toddler) and I think its normal for him to want to play alone as well, again, pretty sure solitary play is normally observed until around 2 and he's not there yet!

AutoIncorrect · 26/05/2021 22:15

He sounds like a 19 month old. Do the people making comments have toddlers who are members of Mensa?

Rizzoli123 · 26/05/2021 22:15

My son was the same. We were worried as by three he wouldn't speak clearly or say many words. I found a parents group called tiny talk and they they did sign language as well as singing. I explained to the leader I wasnt worried about him signing just the fact that we wanted his speech to develop. Within a week we had 5 more words and in 3 months we had 40 or more words and now I can't keep him quiet. My advice would be to try and find a similar class or a speech based class and see what happens.

Bhappy12 · 26/05/2021 22:22

My son is the same age, he hasn't said a word yet (and barely babbles). The speech and language therapist (and all his others) are happy that although he isn't talking, he is communicating and seeking communication in pointing, passing objects, giving affection etc - they seemed to use this as a basis to rule out autism (at least severe autism).

It sounds like your son is seeking out communication and connection and so I wouldn't worry about autism to be honest. It can be so hard when families get involved but their comments definitely aren't helpful of they're causing you anxiety and you need to tell them this.

MissingTheMoonlight · 26/05/2021 22:23

Sounds just like my 18mo and I have no concerns for him.
He loves lining his trucks up on our sofa.
He walks on tiptoe when trying to get a better view of the counter tops or table top.

weebarra · 26/05/2021 22:23

No, he sounds fine.
DS2 has autism and doesn't line things up, or tippy toe walk. He has a fantastic vocabulary.
Absolutely your boy is within normal parameters.

Feelingbad2 · 26/05/2021 22:26

19 month old children are not capable of playing with other children yet. Lining up is very normal, most probably a schema as you say. He sounds perfectly normal x

motogogo · 26/05/2021 22:31

Please stop worrying. My dd is autistic, she wasn't babbling at all, no words until past 3. Most babies and toddlers parallel play at that age, interaction is more around 3 years

Patapouf · 26/05/2021 22:56

Reeeeeelax

theluckiest · 26/05/2021 23:01

@momof3boys5

I presumed lining things up was an sign of autism, same as tip toe walking and playing alone rather than with company. Are they not symptoms then?
My DS used to line up all of his cars (all 50 odd!) from smallest to largest and they HAD to be in order. He used to meltdown if any were moved out of line or anyone touched them. He is now a neurotypical teenager - he just liked his cars a certain way when he was little.

I also remember watching the toddlers at a playgroup when mine were small. They were like little planets all whirling round one another but not actually interacting. Totally toddler behaviour.

Step away from Dr Google!!

Feelingconfused2020 · 26/05/2021 23:06

My son used to line cars up. He isn't autistic. Toddlers play alongside each other at this age. They normally are nearer three before they develop true friendship where they actively play with other children.

I dont think he sounds like there's anything that would be a cause for concern at this stage.

Idontknowanymore05 · 26/05/2021 23:11

Hes just a toddler being a toddler.

Tumbleweed101 · 26/05/2021 23:18

Sounds like normal development for his age. Tip toe walking has to be frequent to be a concern and children do it for a number of reasons that aren't related to autism. Toddlers play alongside eachother and are amused by others while also enjoying solitary play. Younger toddlers seem to enjoying running together or making noises together before playing with toys together. Lining things up is a normal schema for the age. Autistic lining up feels different to this type.

Gooseberrypies · 26/05/2021 23:37

No. It sounds like your son is 19 months old.

Queenie6655 · 26/05/2021 23:48

Child psych here

To me it all sounds age appropriate

Just keep a note book and write down any other concerns you may have and ask staff in nursery if they notice anything

He is still so young xxxx

Queenie6655 · 26/05/2021 23:48

@BarbarianMum

Yeah, you need to calm down. If those things were important signs of autism dont you think they'd be included on the MCHAT?
But sometimes it can all be confusing / worrying
Merryoldgoat · 26/05/2021 23:51

He sounds fine OP.

Both my boys have autism and do some of those things and not others.

But both mine scored as a much higher risk. With a zero score id put it out of your mind.

DarcyLewis · 26/05/2021 23:54

@momof3boys5

I presumed lining things up was an sign of autism, same as tip toe walking and playing alone rather than with company. Are they not symptoms then?
Most toddlers do those things.