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Original poster

To suspect autism in my 15 month old?

76 replies

sconenotscon · 24/10/2021 17:04

Hi all

My 15 month old very rarely makes eye contact no matter how much we try to interact. His health visitor has said this is a concern, and now I am really anxious he may be autistic. There is autism in the family.

When we read him books he may glance at us once or twice and smile but that's about it. He doesn't answer to his name, he doesn't point clap or wave. He looks past us at his toys or the TV. If we sit in front of him he will actively turn his head to look around us.

He does laugh and smile at the TV and at us sometimes when we play with/tickle him.

I may be grasping at straws here but could this just be slow development instead of autism?

OP posts:
HikingforScenery · 24/10/2021 17:08

It could be either. I don’t think we can tell you either way, based on the info you’ve provided.

CocaColaTruck1 · 24/10/2021 17:09

Either.
15 month is very young to know anything tbh.
Does he socialise with other babies? Nursery?

Original poster
sconenotscon · 24/10/2021 17:09

@CocaColaTruck1

Either. 15 month is very young to know anything tbh. Does he socialise with other babies? Nursery?
He goes to a childminder 2 days a week but seems to do his own thing rather than play with others
OP posts:
CailleachO · 24/10/2021 17:10

Does he bring you things to show you? Does he mimic you?

Original poster
sconenotscon · 24/10/2021 17:12

I was always told a child with autism will make no eye contact at all, ever (this came from a GP, not about my child) but is it really that black and white?

OP posts:
Original poster
sconenotscon · 24/10/2021 17:13

@CailleachO

Does he bring you things to show you? Does he mimic you?
He doesn't bring things to me but he did used to clap his hands together or clap toys together when I did. That seems to have stopped now
OP posts:
Whinge · 24/10/2021 17:14

He goes to a childminder 2 days a week but seems to do his own thing rather than play with others

That's pretty normal for 15 months, so I wouldn't worry about playing alongside other children.

I agree with other posters that it's too soon to know for sure, and i'm surprised the health visitor is expressing concerns.

Nahhh · 24/10/2021 17:15

My son did make some eye contact as a baby but it was very fleeting. He has ASD but it’s not the life I was so scared of when he was little. He’s a wonderful, bright, loving child. He has some challenges but life is good.

SylvanasWindrunner · 24/10/2021 17:15

I think if HV is concerned then it's worth following up and asking her to refer you to where you need to go. But it is still very early.

Kids that age don't really play with other kids, more like alongside. But some of the other stuff might indicate something is going on. Toddlers can be so different from each other, but I would expect a 15mo to engage with primary caregivers and be trying to copy gestures. That he's not doing so doesn't necessarily mean autism, though.

CocaColaTruck1 · 24/10/2021 17:16

@sconenotscon

I was always told a child with autism will make no eye contact at all, ever (this came from a GP, not about my child) but is it really that black and white?
No, I'm waiting for the assessment for my DS and his eye contact is fine.
bloodywhitecat · 24/10/2021 17:17

@sconenotscon

I was always told a child with autism will make no eye contact at all, ever (this came from a GP, not about my child) but is it really that black and white?
That is a crock of shite. I have worked with children with autism, some make no eye contact, some make good eye contact, some make too much eye contact.
Original poster
sconenotscon · 24/10/2021 17:17

@Nahhh

My son did make some eye contact as a baby but it was very fleeting. He has ASD but it’s not the life I was so scared of when he was little. He’s a wonderful, bright, loving child. He has some challenges but life is good.
So glad your son is doing well! This is so reassuring. I'm not scared of autism at all, but am scared of what it may mean his life will be like. I've been driving myself crazy
OP posts:
Ikeameatballs · 24/10/2021 17:17

I don’t think it’s too early at all to be concerned. You describe a number of red flags including regression and family history of ASD. I’d be asking for a referral for assessment.

Lifeispassingby · 24/10/2021 17:19

How is his speech and interaction skills? Does he point? Agree with others re play skills, playing alongside is not a concern on its own at this age. Has there been regression or skills lost? I work with toddler with asd and I wouldn’t agree that there has to be no eye contact- some of the toddlers I know give fairly good eye contact but it’s in a different way to neurotypcial toddlers x

PigeonLittle · 24/10/2021 17:19

@sconenotscon

I was always told a child with autism will make no eye contact at all, ever (this came from a GP, not about my child) but is it really that black and white?
This is nonsense, plenty of people snd children with autism can make eye contact. It can be an indicator but is not a factor to rely on either way.

I'd be led by your HV and paediatrician (not GP) but 15 months is very young.

My son has autism and looking back was delayed in some communication. Early intervention can be helpful but don't worry.

Having a diagnosis of autism doesnt make your child different to how they were before a diagnosis. Like all kids they will have likes, dislikes, quirks and you will love them just the same. And they will drive you mad at times Flowers

Original poster
sconenotscon · 24/10/2021 17:20

@Lifeispassingby

How is his speech and interaction skills? Does he point? Agree with others re play skills, playing alongside is not a concern on its own at this age. Has there been regression or skills lost? I work with toddler with asd and I wouldn’t agree that there has to be no eye contact- some of the toddlers I know give fairly good eye contact but it’s in a different way to neurotypcial toddlers x
His speech is non existent. This was another thing the health visitor was concerned about Sad He used to babble but not now
OP posts:
Original poster
sconenotscon · 24/10/2021 17:21

He doesn't point at things. The closest we have come to that is when I point to things in his touchy feely book then he will touch them with his index finger

OP posts:
Whinge · 24/10/2021 17:22

His speech is non existent. This was another thing the health visitor was concerned about Sad He used to babble but not now

The loss of skills is in my opinion much more of a concern than the issues in your OP. That's definitely something they should be taking a closer look at.

Fallagain · 24/10/2021 17:22

@sconenotscon

I was always told a child with autism will make no eye contact at all, ever (this came from a GP, not about my child) but is it really that black and white?
Not true. There are plenty of children with autism who make eye contact. What do you think his eye sight is like?
Original poster
sconenotscon · 24/10/2021 17:23

@Whinge

His speech is non existent. This was another thing the health visitor was concerned about Sad He used to babble but not now

The loss of skills is in my opinion much more of a concern than the issues in your OP. That's definitely something they should be taking a closer look at.

Should I give them a ring and ask to be referred? Would they even refer him at this age Sad
OP posts:
TheOriginalEmu · 24/10/2021 17:28

Lack of speech and losing his babbling is something that should be investigated, first thing would be a hearing test, also an eye test just to rule out any issues there.
I would ask for a referral better to refer early and not need it later on than to leave it and then need one ime.
None of that means he is definitely autistic though, but it doesn’t hurt to get him checked out.

MissM2912 · 24/10/2021 17:31

Referral to child development clinic and take from there. Work on trying to develop his communication and gross motor skills while you wait.

Lifeispassingby · 24/10/2021 17:32

In my experience, the sooner you can be referred the better. If by the time you get to paeds it’s unnecessary you haven’t lost anything, alternatively time is ticking by when it could be needed. The loss of skills and regression is probably what is fuelling the HV concerns. Some of the toddlers I work with were diagnosed at just turned 2 years old so we’re referred at about 18months or so, so it is possible. Do your research, list all of your concerns and speak with your HV honestly and openly about all of your concerns

Whinge · 24/10/2021 17:39

Should I give them a ring and ask to be referred? Would they even refer him at this age

It's not too young to ask for a referal, especially as he is losing skills.

HikingforScenery · 24/10/2021 17:40

@sconenotscon

I was always told a child with autism will make no eye contact at all, ever (this came from a GP, not about my child) but is it really that black and white?
Some autistic children will stir into your soul