Normal behaviour or autism sign?

[Newmum26]

My DS is 17 months and developing normally in every way meeting milestones ahead of his age.
He's social, loves cuddles, his talking is unbelievable he says lots of words and only has to hear you say something once and he will copy it.
My question is: Is it normal for a toddler/child to be obsessed with things?!
He absolutely LOVES apples 😂 He finds apples in his books, on the tv when we are out he will point to apple trees. Yesterday we went to a cafe for lunch where we have been several times and the last time we went he had an apple from the basket in the little fridge as you walk in, well we pulled up outside yesterday and he started saying 'Apple' we didn't make much of it until we started to walk in and he went straight for the basket in the fridge where he remembered the Apple was 😮
Does this sound like normal developmental behaviour or is it a red flag for ASD?
Thanks for reading ☺️

I think he's just discovered the joy of finding meaning in the world and the power of language.

Relax.

I don’t think it sounds like autism based on that alone.

Sounds pretty normal to me.

It would be really common to see that behaviour in a child with autism. However, autism is a collection of traits that cross lots of areas of development and have a significant negative impact on everyday functioning. Most of those traits are commonly seen in neurotypical children in isolation.

Hitting milestones early isn't particularly significant either way. My DD1 has autism, walked at 10 months and was talking in short sentences on her first birthday.

Lots of toddlers get interested in something in particular. I've childminded little experts in letter, numbers, animals, Thomas the Tank Engine, trains, dinosaurs, dogs, collections of stones and even hotels. A lot depends on what grabs their attention and whether their close family foster their interests.

Unless you have other concerns, which doesn't seem to be the case, I wouldn't worry.

Thanks for the replies ☺️

He sounds incredibly bright.

Obsessions (special interests) are a trait of autism but it doesn’t mean that a child who really likes and enjoys something has asd.

If his speech is great, he’s social and has no major behavioural issues (other than being s typical 17 month old) and meeting his milestones I really wouldn’t worry.

Toddlers find the world fascinating and your little one just finds apples even more so.