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Original poster

what where yoyr childs early signs of autism?

63 replies

ditsydoll · 07/05/2014 19:52

I posted here yesterday about Ds not reacting when I call his name (he's 11 months)
No other red flags, he did look at me a couple of times but wondering if this may just be coincidence really..
He's babbling mummy, Dada, iya (whilst waving if there's someone there)
He will wag his finger side to side if I say tick tock (like a clock)
He loves peek a boo and other interactiva games, he has good eye contact and is thrilled and wants loads of attention if someone enters a room.
He's not that interested in toys although he will play with them, he would rather climb all over the furniture and play with me.
He puts EVERYTHING in his mouth.
He bites his hand if he's frustrated.
Can anyone tell me about early autism signs?
I don't know why but my instincts tell me there's something wrong.

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Original poster
ditsydoll · 07/05/2014 20:41

Thanks for reassurance, I'm a real worrier. Is it worth mentioning my concerns to gp or hv?

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coppertop · 07/05/2014 20:42

It could be that if being mobile is new to him, he's just discovered a whole new world of exciting possibilities. He's too busy enjoying himself to look round.

It could possibly be something to do with the sound/tone of voices. Generally when we call someone's name, our voices tend to have a higher pitch to them. My own hearing range means that I can hear deeper voices better than higher ones. If someone was calling my name, I'd be more likely to hear them if they spoke in a deeper voice.

It might be worth asking for a hearing test if you think that this might apply to your ds.

coppertop · 07/05/2014 20:44

stillenacht1 - so you know all about the surprised faces when people misunderstand too. :o

Canus · 07/05/2014 21:01

I suppose we had an advantage, because our son's behaviour was so alien to that of his older siblings.

We might have had him down as 'highly strung' or 'sensitive' but really his behaviour was off the scale.

We were lucky we had something to compare it to.

If you met him now, at 5, he could easily 'pass'. He is articulate, curious, charming.

But utterly, utterly unable to relate to his peers. He loves Lego, Minecraft, dressing up, all things that should be fun, but he doesn't care for the opinions/ideas of others.

He finds it easy to play alone, but is already aware that others are different.

We can see him beginning to 'play a part' in an effort to fit in, but it really is beyond him.

When he was 11 months old, we honestly had no clue. Most children of that age are self absorbed.

Original poster
ditsydoll · 07/05/2014 21:02

He started ignoring his name when I introduced the word 'no' which he also completely ignores. Could he be actually just ignoring me?

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Canus · 07/05/2014 21:05

He really could be just ignoring you!

Experience of NT children X 3 Grin

Original poster
ditsydoll · 07/05/2014 21:07

Its not something I have ever worried about as he's never missed a milestone but it's like he's gone deaf overnight and since getting around just completely ignores me.
Canus did he respond/develop 'normally' until a certain point? Eye contact, smiles, responding?

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Canus · 07/05/2014 21:14

Totally normally.

Even through the screaming years we had eye contact, smiles, cuddles, empathy. We have all of that, even now.

But alongside that, there was the 'apartness', and feeling that something was wrong/tricky.

In your place, I'd leave it 'til 18-24 months, when most children even out.

If you still have concerns, I'd find a GP with paediatric interest.

hellymelly · 07/05/2014 21:17

My best friend has an autistic son, and he pretty much fitted the picture that others have posted. The not sleeping, the screaming, no response to his name, using someone's hand to get something he wanted etc. Your son doesn't sound like an autistic child to me. I think there would be other indicators by now, not just the not responding to his name thing. It sounds as though he is just absorbed with his new world now that he can move about by himself.

noblegiraffe · 07/05/2014 21:34

I'd investigate whether he has gone deaf overnight, chickenpox could have affected his ears, or they could be bunged up. Go to the doc to get his hearing checked.

Original poster
ditsydoll · 07/05/2014 21:40

I'll definately get his hearing checken and maybe just mention to gp why I'm concerned about his hearing whilst I'm there?

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Original poster
ditsydoll · 07/05/2014 21:41

Checked* sorry I'm on my phone and my fingers are obviously to fat for the keys :)

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WorryWarrier · 07/05/2014 21:58

I would say from your description that you son is fine. If you are worried, get his hearing checked out by the Dr, and if you are still worried after that, ask for a referral to a paediatrician when is he a few months older.
I had similar concerns about my DS-not much babbling, delayed speech, fussy eating, highly sensitive, obsession with space, knowing alphabet and numbers at one and a half.

I spent months of worry about him and it turned out he was not autistic. I was pleased I pushed for speech and language referral, however, as he definitely needs help with his speech.

Just trying to say enjoy your little one and try not to let your mind be overshadowed by worry like mine was.

DeWee · 08/05/2014 10:43

I think he sounds normal.

And actually my ds, who has severe glue ear responded better than his siblings to his name at that age. He'd learnt to adapt and read body language/lip read and also was able to focus on just his name, which meant he responded well to it.

For anyone who is worrying over the middle finger pointing, my dd2, who's 10 and definitely nt does it too. I don't know why she's always pointed like that.

PolterGoose · 08/05/2014 17:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ditsydoll · 08/05/2014 18:35

Honestly he's so the opposite of what you would expect a child with Asd to be but he completely ignores his name or being called (although he does ignore me and then crawl faster,so I don't know if he's actually smart enough to actually ignore me) I wouldn't be too worried otherwise.

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DeWee · 08/05/2014 22:11

They are smart enough to refuse to obey at that age. I always said I knew dd2 was going to be a handful when she was 8 months and I called "Come here, dd2" and she turned round, shook her head at me, and sped up...

xkatxdollx · 08/05/2014 23:28

my friends son has autism and his main signs were anything spinning( wheels, fans, etc.) and if anything excited him like spinning things or sounds he would flap his hands and make weird faces and noises like grunting and not responding to his name

Original poster
ditsydoll · 09/05/2014 07:43

He's not really excited by spinning objects, and doesn't flap at all. Actually my NT daughter flapped alot as a baby but it was just a phase. Ds does make a lot of shrieks and weird noises but what baby doesn't?

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xkatxdollx · 09/05/2014 16:02

take him to his doctor but I'm pretty sure you have nothing to worry about

stillenacht1 · 09/05/2014 16:35

For my DS the flapping came much later...around 3.5. He never flapped as a baby or toddler.

satintaupe · 09/05/2014 16:42

I think you have less cause for concern than I do.

DD is 11 months, doesn't babble (has never said ba, da, ma etc), doesn't point or clap (she tries to clap, unsuccessfully), hasn't started moving. Stopped putting things in her mouth a few months ago, has no teeth. Doesn't blow or blow raspberries.

I think she wants to babble (she squeals a lot) but can't work out how to do it. She has just started sticking her tongue out again after months of not doing it. It took her four months to work out how to bounce in her jumperoo so she doesn't have the coordination to crawl, plus she hates being on her tummy and screams after a couple of minutes.

She has great eye contact, sleeps well, loves her toys etc. She loves loud noises like the Hoover. She responds to her name sometimes. She waves sometimes and holds her ams out to me to be held.

I don't want to hijack but at the same time don't want to start a new thread which is the same.

Has anyone's DC been the same at this age and yet doesn't have autism?

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 09/05/2014 16:56

She sounds like she has no red flags for autism to me. 11 months would be very early for pointing.

Interestingly my DD seemed quite NT at 11 months. Smiley. .interactive. .lots.of noises. Looking back though she wasn't like other babies who sot there gurgling and lapping up attention. She liked to look at lights too. I remember finding her really hard to engage with during tummy time. When she started speaking she just had many many nouns and could repeat any song with perfect pronounciation.

She regressed at 2.10 and signs were that she lost all her words. She had many and overnight lost them. She also started spinning around and became much more distant.

I must point out to everyone that eye contact isnt a diagnostic factor for ASD..or smiling. Dd smiles all the time.

I must also say to.OP..don't go by what people aay on here. Its impossible to interpret actions and behaviours on here.

I could describe my DD and people would say she just sounds shy, and vice versa.

I would say..and not saying your DS has ASD here AT ALL...don't ever ignore instinct and if you are worried ask someone for assessment.

Althought I'd be amazed if anyone said anything but wait at that age.

My DD was 10 weeks when I first wondered if she had autism.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 09/05/2014 16:59

No two children with ASD are alike.

Your DS doesn't sound any alarm bells to me OP btw.

But there is no child."the opposite of how you would expect a child with aSD to be".

My dD is smily, loves attention, has eye contact and enjoys cuddles. She is far from aloof.

Original poster
ditsydoll · 09/05/2014 17:01

Satintaupe I can understand your concern. For what its worth my NT dd couldn't crawl until 11 months but walked at 13 months and she's absolutely fine now.
Have you spoke to gp or hv? If so what have they said?

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