Visiting Child - concern deafness/ autustic ?

[hollyisalovelyname]

Advice please.
Relation visited with 26 month old.
No reaction to their name being called. I noticed this before ( recently also).
No reaction to a very loud, musical, flashing lighted toy.
Twin sibling had usual toddler reactions.
The parents seem unaware and unconcerned.
They live abroad so I have no idea what developmental checks are done.

Oops sorry thread title should spell autistic.
As the Mum is not my cousin, the dad is a cousin of dh's I just don't know what to do / say.
I'm just concerned for the child.
What would you do?
Grandparents or siblings of parents are not around/ alive so no family to bounce it off.
I also realise it's none of my business.

Bump

How much do you know about Autism.

I'm not a specialist, but do know several autistic children, including DS and the lack of reaction doesn't scream autism to me.

Deafness and autism are two very different things.

I've no idea what you can do, except point out to the parents that both children do not react the same, and point out the child doesn't react to their name and ask if their hearing has been checked.

I would ask if the child has had a hearing test recently. This is the very first thing to be checked, and ideally more than a health professional whispering at them etc.

Yes of course I do realise deafness and autism are two completely different things.
It was the fact that the child showed no interest at all in this toy with a flashing light - and it had also had very loud music emanating from it.

But you have given us a tiny snap shot...the child didn't respond to their name, it the flashing you.... Is their speech comparable to their twin? Their motor skills? Their eating and sleeping?

Ultimately, maybe the parents are concerned but don't want to talk about it, maybe they have discussed it with a specialist or GP. For anyone here to give you an opinion we'd need a lot more information, and we are not experts. All children reach milestones differently, not in the 'right' order. DS didn't respond to his name at 2, not even at 3 and even then, he only turned if it was me or dh saying his name, not if it was anyone else. Not beinginterested in a specific kind of toy is just what it is. Some children are not interested in TV, others are fascinated by it.

When ds was little, I knew that something was different with him but hated it when people pointed it out to me, I wanted to say I KNOW! He is now absolutely fine apart from having Dyspraxia (mild). You could suggest a hearing test I think that's a good idea.

Not that I think we should all play amateur psychologist/paediatrician but if you really have a concern you should express it to the parents and enquire what support may be available to them.

anyoldname - I'm impressed you got a diagnosis for SPD and have a "needs team"

Thank you for taking the time to reply.
Lynette - totally different to the other twin in responses to stimulii.
I truly think the parents are unaware. I think they think the children are developing at different rates judging by comments they made.
I think it's more than that as does my dh.