18 month old autism warning signs?

[sadlycindy]

Ever since I was told at 28 weeks pregnant, there was a slight risk of autism because I was on 10mg of citilporam (anti depressant) I was worried incessantly about my son having it.

The things I am worried about are:

• lining up cars and getting really angry if I move one or one doesn't go the way he wants,
• lies on the floor examining the wheels of the cars
• he plays quite happily on his own. He doesn't often bring me things to show me. Sometimes he does but very rarely. I've heard that's a wanting sign
• he has just started walking these past 2 weeks but doesn't walk on tiptoes
• doesn't try to feed teddies or drink from empty cup eg pretend play

What makes me think I'm being silly worrying is:

• he points to things
• when he's watching tv and finds something funny he will turn round and smile at me to see if I have seen it too
• he has quite a big vocabulary
• loves playing with other children
• gives us cuddles and kisses
• looks to us for praise if he's done something

I have rang the HV anyway as I've been in tears today just worrying all the time. Please if anyone can help.

OP, he sounds like a normal toddler to me. Obviously I can't diagnose over the internet but honestly nothing in your post sounds out of the ordinary for his age. Try not to worry too much.

He sounds like my toddler at 18m (now 2.3) and I have no concerns about autism. He just likes lining up cars (and gets annoyed with them too!) he is an independent and not needy child and in my opinion that is a great thing! Your ds sounds like a very normal toddler to me but I’m sure your hv won’t mind you getting in touch if it will put your mind at ease

I also wondered whether my son had autism when he was this age. He didn’t point to things, didn’t respond to his name, he did a funny thing when he would sit on the floor and shuffle his legs back and forth. He wasn’t very affectionate and wouldn’t look people in the eye - he used to sit and stare into space a lot. He was particularly sensitive to textures and smells, he wouldn't walk on the beach because he hated the feeling of the sand. He has a twin sister and the comparisons with her made it more accentuated.
My GP referred me to a paediatrician at 18 months who didn’t think there was an issue but said it was too early to tell. We had his hearing checked to rule out hearing difficulties being behind his behaviour. At pre-school he would be quite disruptive and the manager got an educational psychologist to assess him and I took him back to the paediatrician, 2 years after he was previously seen, but neither felt he was on the spectrum and that his behaviour wouldn’t prevent him getting on in life.
Starting school was a concern to me but he did quite well and in year 2 he was one of the top in his class and doing well, plenty of friends etc and able to socialise and participate in full.
He still has odd ways and I struggle with getting him to eat well and try new things. He does walk on the beach now! He comes across to most as a normal 7.5yr old boy, perhaps just a bit more on the sensitive side and more interested in computers and science than sport and outdoor pursuits.
I wanted to share this with you as I have been that parent in tears because she think she her son may be autistic and having worries about what that might mean for his future and our relationship. He is really affectionate now, more so than his sisters! I hope this helps allay your fears somewhat and that if you do decide to have him checked out that you have as sympathetic health care professionals a and I did who took my worries seriously. The positives you mention are really encouraging and most of which my son wasn’t doing at that age. One thing the paediatrician suggested to me was that my son was a “step developer” so he might seem behind for a few months in his development, then suddenly he’s achieve a lot all at once. He didn’t walk until 18 months but when he did he was also running around. All the best! xx

My 2 year 7 month old has been lining cars/trains/objects up for yonks now! I’m sure it’s pretty normal, my little one goes to nursery a couple of days a week and they’ve got absolutely no worries with his development. Don’t worry too much op - they develop in their own way in their own order x