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Worried about possible autistic signs in 8 month old

10 replies

MrsSleepless · 06/11/2011 21:01

I'm really worried about my 8 month old DD for the following reasons:

  • doesn't babble any consonants yet
  • makes noises, but doesn't have "conversations" with us
  • she won't look at us at close quarters, actually avoids looking at us. She will look at us and smile when we are a few steps away.
  • when she is ill she won't look at me either, I thought babies looked to their mums more when they are ill?
  • she loves staring at strangers, but never smiles at them
  • doesn't like kisses on mouth
  • hasn't made any attempts to get moving either by rolling or crawling. She has been sitting up since 5.5 months though.
  • she thinks her hands are hilarious. She often amuses herself by waving them in front of her face and opening and closing them. I thought they grew out of this by now?
  • she was a rubbish feeder, she was always dropping on & off the latch. Didn't gain weight until I fed her from bottles.
  • her head has gone from the 25th centile to the 75th.
  • she often put toys over her head

However she does laugh with us when we tickle and throw her and she plays peek-a-boo with us (only if she is doing it though)

Basically I'm worried she is showing signs of autism. I'm worried she may struggle through life although I admit i don't know much about autism.

Do you think I have anything to worry about or am I just over thinking? You can probably tell she's my first and I don't know any other babies to compare her with. I'm seeing the hv on tues, but that seems ages away and it's giving me sleepless nights.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 06/11/2011 21:04

she sounds completely and utterly like an 8 month old baby to me Smile

PacificDogwood · 06/11/2011 21:07

All totally normal.
Yes, you are overthinking.
She sounds lovely - enjoy! Grin

frutilla · 06/11/2011 21:07

Do you think she could be short sighted and you are blurry up close? That may account for her not wanting to explore her environment too much yet....no experience of autism, hope someone who has will be along soon...

pinkytheshrunkenhead · 06/11/2011 21:08

I was immediately going to say stop worrying she is 8 months old. But I have an 8 year old dd who I was worried about from very early on - late smiling etc and it turns out that she does have asd. In your situation I would wait and see for a while, it will be very hard to get anyone to listen at this early stage anyway.

gitinora · 06/11/2011 21:09

Sounds like a normal 8 month old to me. I am a nursery officer and have worked with hundreds of babies over the years, i also have had 2 myself. and she sounds very normal to me.

Plus they cant diagnose Autism at that age anyway.

MrsSleepless · 06/11/2011 21:42

Thank you for your replies. I feel a bit more reassured now. I am such a worrier at the moment!

OP posts:
Iatemyskinnyperson · 06/11/2011 21:47

Your HV/GP would be best placed to advise. AFAIK they do not diagnose before 18 months to 2 years, so I doubt they will refer as your DD is v young. More info here; www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/all-about-diagnosis/diagnosis-the-process-for-children/diagnosis-what-to-expect.aspx

I don't want to dismiss your concerns, you are to be commended that you're alert to her characteristics.

For now, get advise, enjoy her, play lots and keep an eye on her.

Best of luck.

MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay · 06/11/2011 22:13

I'd have her eyes checked as a first thought... yes they can test babies:)
My son had his first pair of glasses at 6 months of age:)

However some of what you day does raise little flags for me.. if it's not her eyes. My son was identical to how you describe and he IS on the autistic spectrum. However he is smiley, chatty, loving and adorable and the reality was far far less scary than my fears!

I found no one would listen to me when he was tiny but I felt strongly that there was something and I was right..

But probably she is fine!!

Littlesoul123 · 12/02/2023 10:15

how is she

ATJ · 12/02/2023 23:11

Hello just wondering how your daughter was?

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