Worried about autism

[Amy1997]

So where do I start my little girl is 19 months old and she only says about 2-3 recognisable words but she can go days without saying any of them. She also doesn't point or follow my point ( she may follow my point if I tap on what I'm pointing at). She does interact with me for example when music comes on she turns to me and starts dancing waiting for me to do the same , when I do she smiles at me.

I'm just very worried as when we go to play centres or similar places it takes her about 40 minuets to even notice there's other children there and even then she won't go near them unless I'm there with her. She does bring me toys that she is playing with. She also does wave bye ( sometimes) and she claps whenever she does something good. I'm just worried that she's showing signs of autism as her eye contact isn't the best with other people or me sometimes. Also when she gets excited she clenches her fists and smiles.

I should also mention that she has had a hearing test and we found out that she has fluid behind both her ear drums so now we have been referred for further hearing tests this month.

Amy she's still very very young, and might have a hearing problem, I don't know if eye contact is all that reliable in young children anyway.
I know its worrying but until you get the hearing problem sorted and she's a little older I'm not sure what you can do - have you seen a paediatrician yet?

Not pointing by 18M can be concerning, and after 18M it is normally considered 'late'. However there are many example of children that have pointed at 19M or 20M without any development issues. From your description she seems to be seeking praise (specially if her clapping when she does something good is directed at you), and if she is bringing you toys just for the sole purpose of sharing them or showing them to you (so not to seek help) then again that is very positive. We need her pointing (specially her pointing to share interests) to really start in the next month or so, but once it comes it can come very suddenly, i.e. one day they do not point and the next day they start pointing at everything. You might want to take the MCHAT test online - she would be failing the test overall because of her not pointing or following a point but if she is doing well in the other areas then that would be very encouraging as a child with autism would struggle in many of the sections/questions.

Thank you for your reply's@Mummy0ftwo12 and @AladdinMum , I haven't seen a paediatrician yet as I can't until we know if there is a problem with we hearing.

I was worried if she didn't understand what I was saying to her but only today I asked her to go get her bottle and bring me the ball and she did both ( which shocked me). She just seems to zone out but when I have her attention she does loads. She still isn't pointing but we have started singing the song ( heads shoulders knees and toes) and now she puts her finger to my head , nose etc, not I the right order tho).

I just worry as she does show signs. And I'm scared I won't be taken seriously. Here's to hoping the hearing test shows something.