Poor eye contact in 3 year old, help please?

[Blahh243]

I'm starting to get very worried about my 3 year old ds. 6 months ago we started noticing his eye contact was getting weaker. So far he's hit all of his milestones on time. He's very smart, affectionate, chatty (on topics he loves), and active. But he just won't look at anyone talking to him. He looks to the side, the floor, or even at your hair, and just avoids eyes all the time.

I've looked up symptoms of asd and he has the following:
-poor eye contact
-singing or saying the same words over and over while playing (echolalia?)
-walking on tip toes occasionally
-very literal (if I say "tell me what colour this is" he says "what colour this is)

In other ways he doesn't seem different from other children so I'm a bit confused. He copes well with changes in routine. He's bilingual. His language skills are good, asks questions, and can hold a conversation. He loves playing with his little nephews and nieces, is very aware of dangers and can identify and talk about emotions in himself and others. He walked and talked on time. He had colic and reflux as a baby but don't know if this is related to the problems I'm seeing right now. His preschool say he's prone to tantrums and sometimes likes to "zone out" and play on his own but other than that they haven't raised any concerns.

I asked the gp a couple of months ago about the symptoms that were worrying me and he brushed it off and said he's normal with a few quirks.

Should I push for an assessment? Has anyone's child been like this at 3 years old and went on to get a diagnosis? Sorry if this is long I'm just really anxious and looking for answers. Thank you.

[Blahh243]

Anyone?

[AladdinMum]

Has he had an eyes check? maybe he need glasses? i.e. he is unable to focus within short distances and hence looks to the side. Autism is a social communication disorder so all the the symptoms you listed above while they can be associated with autism (sometimes) they quite equally be not associated with autism, specially the echolalia, occasional tip toe walking and being very literal, at 3YRs old it is all age appropriate. In addition it is very rare for autism signs to first appear after 2.5YR and not before. Autism affects social communication above all else, so, was he pointing to share interests by 18M old? (like a plane in the sky), does he social reference when he is unsure or worried? does he seek praise when he is proud? did he used to show/give you interesting things/toys that he would find when he was around 12M old? etc - these are the areas that autism tends to impair.

[Blahh243]

Thanks for the reply @Aladdinmum . He did reach most of the milestones you mentioned on time. Will definitely get his eyes checked, I didn't think of that. Thanks again.

[Cluelessmum5]

Hi @Blahh243 , just wondering how you are getting on? Sorry I know it's a very old thread