This is my first post and I hope I don’t get flamed because I am already so desperate and down. Sorry for the long post and ramble.
My almost 13 month DS is behind on all communication skills. He “failed” his 1 year old on the areas of communication and social. He was 11 months at the time and is a second kid, completely chilled and happy to just be around me and my DD - who is 3 - and I thought I was just maybe being not stimulating him enough. He has zero screen time and just sort of joined her on her playing, outings etc, nothing super catered for his age but not being neglected either. I was concerned at the time but thought he would catch up as I was trying to have more 1-on-1 time with him but a long time has passed and nothing changed. He absolutely does not respond to his name ever, doesn’t wave, point or look at where I point. He can clap but on his own accord, barely on command. Other than that doesn’t get any other command such as grab the ball, give me the ball, peekaboo, where’s XYZ. Nada. He doesn’t look at his dad when we say papa, or fo me when we say mama, etc. He has absolutely no understanding of any words (we tried to teach him a few basic ones as ball, milk, mama, papa, sister, but nothing stayed with him). Zero words and not much babbling. Moderate eye contact but on his terms, never when we call or try to catch his attention. He is being followed by a team of HV that are doing some play therapy sessions and teaching us some tips to estimulate him. He started nursery at 12m and when I told that to the manager she told me he is indeed behind and has the marurity of a 8 month old. He is an extremely happy little boy, super chilled, will laugh at you, quite cuddly, sleeps well, not walking yet but cruises and has good motor skills in general. But nothing we do seem to improve the areas we need. The HV are worried too.
I am beyond anxious. Since this was all flagged I lost lots of weight, I haven’t been sleeping and my life is consumed googling things about this. We’re doing loads with him and basically no improvement which is breaking my heart. I can’t concentrate at work, I’m beyond worried about my little boy.
Cutting to the chase: if you had a baby at this age with so many lack of social skills did it turn out to be ASD or did they catch up eventually? After searching the whole of mumsnet, reddit and the internet in general it seems like most babies with severe lack of social skills like him end up being diagnosed. I haven’t found a single story of them catching up etc. I just need to know if I should keep my hopes up or start to get ready for a diagnosis in the near future.
Please be honest but gentle because I am a mess right now.