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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

A question about a 13 month baby, 'staring' and aspergers, am I being nuts? Please advise

10 replies

elasticband · 04/02/2012 20:52

I have a lovely DS. Very alert and friendly, babbly, still not walking but on the move all the time, exploring...

His eye contact has always been good. And when we're in music groups or group situations, he can really stop and stare at people's faces. Our childcarer laughed about it last week. How he turned to the woman next to him in a group and literally stared at her for ages. I've noticed it too. He's not scared to look anyone in the eye.

I read that aspergers symptoms can be either a lack of eye contact or an abnormal eye contact, a gaze - and I got really anxious. Am I being stupid? Is it normal for babies/my age DS to have a good look?

OP posts:

gobblygook · 04/02/2012 21:21

Hi, I know all about being anxious, but not that much about Aspergers - but I would really say that 13 months is not old enough to know anything much. He's probably just taking an interest! New faces are probably exciting to him.

I hope someone comes along to appease you.

Popoozle · 04/02/2012 21:25

My DS has Aspergers but he has always been the opposite - no eye contact.

To be honest though, 13 months does seem too early to tell. Try not to worry.

An0therName · 04/02/2012 21:30

I wouldn't worry either - no expert but from what I understand 13 months is too young and also there would more than one things that would make you think there was an issure

leftmymistletoeatthedoor · 04/02/2012 21:34

Dd is 16 months and stares at people - she's just nosy.

RobinSparkles · 04/02/2012 21:34

My 11 month old really stares at people too. I think she just likes to "weigh people up". I think that when they're that young people's faces are just interesting and they're taking everything in.

FWIW, I'm very shy and find it very difficult to make eye contact with people, particularly new people.

NormanTebbit · 04/02/2012 21:36

You are nuts. ()

Original poster

elasticband · 04/02/2012 22:09

Yes, I know I'm nuts! I feel really anxious about stuff, which I know is about being a first time mum, and worrying about all the things that might happen that I can't control. He probably is just weighing people up, taking things in.

OP posts:

hubbahubster · 04/02/2012 22:13

My brother has autism and never smiled, never looked anyone in the eye. I know Aspergers is different but I'd have thought ASD would have many of the same indicators. Stop worrying!

Original poster

elasticband · 05/02/2012 06:55

Thanks all. I appreciate it

OP posts:

yawningmonster · 05/02/2012 08:38

It sounds as if he is just doing face scans. Very young children are most attracted to the human face and can look at faces for a longer period than at other objects/images. It helps them make sense of their world and to catergorise and compare what is already in their visual memories. I haven't explained that very well. My ds has aspergers and while it looks as if he has good eye contact and is looking at people, his eyes are actually focussing near them rather than on them if that makes sense. Once you know that is what he does it is extremely obvious but most strangers don't pick it up. He did not scan faces as a baby.

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