7 month old delayed/not interacting so worried

[Bpr187]

I have concerns about my 7 month old (I know it’s really young). I was never looking for any signs or even tracking what he was and wasn’t doing to be honest because I just had the “he’ll do it when he’s ready” attitude... until he got to 5.5 months and I realised he’d stopped smiling then stupidly I googled and all of a sudden autism came up. I’d never ever thought about it before and now that I’m reading about it I’ve suddenly realised he’s doing lots of things related to it. He is delayed with all milestones (only rolling half way and can only sit up for a minute or so before falling, difficulty holding toys, difficulties weaning (he gags a lot), he was smiling at 3-4 months (although only occasionally) but has not smiled socially since 4 months. He now just smiles at random stuff like picture frames on the walls :( he will laugh but only if I am swinging him around and if I look at him he will stop straight away - it's so upsetting. Other things I'm worried about are, he's odd with his hands he sort of strokes/scratches his face and his head. He just seems frustrated and uncomfortable constantly but he's so in his own world (won't engage or make eye contact) he doesn't want to play or enjoy anything. When he is more settled and I try to engage with him or play he's not interested.

Has anyone had this with their baby? I’m not looking for a diagnosis I just want to talk to people who may have experienced this with their children at a young age and for some advice on what to do next. Early intervention and what age to start?

I've been to see the GP and we've been referred to a paediatrician but given the current situation it's going to take ages 😢

I’m so worried and upset .. any help and advice would be really appreciated.

I've not really experienced it but I'm really glad your GP has listened to you.

It might be worth starting to use some Makaton signs with him now, whilst you wait for his assessment. Especially children with ASD sometimes have speech delay.

Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I had a similar issue with DS1. When he was a baby I was convinced he was showing early signs of autism. It started when I thought he had stopped smiling at about three/four months old. I then started noticing other signs. He is four now and I am fairly sure he is not autistic.

I think seven months is very young to be looking for signs of autism. But I totally understand the anxiety over development. I have a nearly seven month old now and can feel the anxiety creeping back in. I am trying to remind myself it is really too early to know. But if it makes you feel better to be proactive and seek support, I understand that too.

Hi am I so thankful I have seen this I am going through the same situation with my little boy who is 29 weeks old

He doesn’t give me eye contact
He will smile if you make him and laugh
No babbling just the odd squeals here and there
Only just sat without support but does not last long and falls over ( he is really unsteady )

He has a mri awaiting which I feel sick over I hope this makes you feel better I totally understand the anxiety you have over this
I’m sure your little one will be fine and do it in his own time try not to worry every baby is different

29 weeks is just over 6 months. The only thing that would make me at all worried is the eye contact, but there is an aspect that they can be at that age just interested in everything and if you start worrying it's easy to always pick up when they're not looking.
I assume there is more to it for you to have been referred for a MRI though.

For example, average sitting time is 6-7 months, and sounds like he is about average, they still fall over for quite some time after that.