Can eye contact improve?

The3ofus1 · 2021-08-09T16:21:28+00:00

Hi my DS is 8 months old, his eye contact when he was a little younger was ok, but at the moment he does avoid eye contact regularly.. just wondering if this will improve after 8 months or should I be concerned? He seems fine in his motor skills, rolling and he’s just started crawling. He babbles, but I wouldn’t say he’s babbling to me, not back and forth babbling. He sleeps well and enjoys his food, he does flap his arms about but not excessive I don’t think. Anyway any experience in the above and maybe some advice would be great. Thanks in advance.

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Original poster

The3ofus1 · 10/08/2021 09:11

Anyone??

OP posts:

Original poster

The3ofus1 · 12/08/2021 22:22

Can anyone offer anything at all?

OP posts:

MC2021 · 13/08/2021 00:46

I don't have much advice on whether it can improve or not but my girl has had poor eye contact from day one. I was so worried about asd, but quickly realized she is progressing nice in all other things. Eye contact isn't really a concern if there is no other delays with it. I do have an eye appointment booked for her next month to see if she has any problems but if not I really feel it's just part of her personality at this point. She is 2 now - she makes excellent eye contact from further distances and when lying down but it's mainly when she is up close on my lap or if I'm holding her where she seems to struggle. Not super helpful but I hope you get more advice!!

Bombleton · 14/08/2021 21:48

Mine is 8 months too. My eldest (4y) is autistic so I'm on the look out.

I took her to an ophthalmologist this week because close tracking isn't great. My HV picked up on this when I asked her to review her due to lack of babbling.

So the ophthalmologist said...their sight is still emerging at this age. She could still be developing the ability to focus on things close up. During the check, she was able to focus on things close up. But she said maybe she finds it more comfortable at this stage to focus on things further away. Does that make sense?

I think from what I have read, babies look like they have good eye contact from about 2 weeks told. But actually they are not. They just can make out your eyes as shapes shapes look at. And then I guess eye sight develops in its own time. Different for every baby etc.

Might be worth speaking to HV to get an eye test?

Rorlaa · 16/08/2021 09:12

@Bombleton
Hi, I have the same worries. My DS (2yo) turned out to be autistic just a week after my little daughter was born. Since the day she was born I was watching her like an alien creature...while I feel ashamed. She also has poor eye contact, and still hasnt started to babble (4 months old). Everyone is telling me she's such a good baby which terrifies me cause she's not good she's just overly calm... :( The same doctor who negligated my concerns about my son calls me overly worrying mom with my DD.
Sorry op im a bit offtopic, but most cases the worry tudna out to be useless :)

Bombleton · 16/08/2021 09:22

I totally get what you are saying.
Tbh I have been watching my DD like a hawk from day one. While she presents differently to how my son did at this age, I do still have some niggling concerns.

Whatever is going on for her it's 100 times more subtle than it was with my son. And with my son it took fighting with professionals and complaints and second opinions to get anyone to listen to us, so it must have been subtle for him to other people.

I just think it has to be easier the second time round. Fewer unknowns this time.

I talked to my HV at 6 weeks and again at 6 months. She has chalked it up to my anxiety due to my first experience. So I've gone around the houses. I've done direct referrals to the services I can do them to. I've got my GP to do other referrals. And then I mentioned the HV above doing an opthamology referral but actually it's my sons community nursery nurse who work with the HVs who I asked to come see my DD. She has referred her to audiology too. I just think rather than burying my head under the sand (which is so tempting!) I may as well crack on and start collating a history. If I'm wrong? I will just be dubbed the over anxious mum that I was dubbed 4 years ago. I no longer care less what these so called professionals think of me. I'm a nurse myself and am fully aware from my service that the squeakiest wheel gets the oil xxx

ttrrii · 20/09/2021 15:45

@The3ofus1 How is your little one doing?

Mas05 · 14/04/2022 20:57

@The3ofus1 @ttrrii any updates on your babies?

Melodymama12 · 13/06/2023 13:32

I know this is an old post but I was wondering if you had an update. My son doesn’t make a lot of eye contact and it’s really concerning me. Thanks!

Chzm · 16/05/2024 13:09

Mas05 · 14/04/2022 20:57

@The3ofus1 @ttrrii any updates on your babies?

Hey any update on yours please? I’m guessing you were in a similar situation hence why I thought I’d ask, seeing as OP and other posters on here haven’t replied to you I’m hoping you will to me!

thank you

Chzm · 24/05/2024 14:46

Melodymama12 · 13/06/2023 13:32

I know this is an old post but I was wondering if you had an update. My son doesn’t make a lot of eye contact and it’s really concerning me. Thanks!

Hey any updates with you please? Would appreciate a response from a very worried mum xx

Chzm · 24/05/2024 14:47

MC2021 · 13/08/2021 00:46

I don't have much advice on whether it can improve or not but my girl has had poor eye contact from day one. I was so worried about asd, but quickly realized she is progressing nice in all other things. Eye contact isn't really a concern if there is no other delays with it. I do have an eye appointment booked for her next month to see if she has any problems but if not I really feel it's just part of her personality at this point. She is 2 now - she makes excellent eye contact from further distances and when lying down but it's mainly when she is up close on my lap or if I'm holding her where she seems to struggle. Not super helpful but I hope you get more advice!!

Hey how is your baby now? All okay?
I have the same concerns, not good eye contact up close at all. A few other things accompanying are also worrying me, my baby is 9 months old

Would appreciate a response x

Chzm · 24/05/2024 14:48

Bombleton · 16/08/2021 09:22

I totally get what you are saying.
Tbh I have been watching my DD like a hawk from day one. While she presents differently to how my son did at this age, I do still have some niggling concerns.

Whatever is going on for her it's 100 times more subtle than it was with my son. And with my son it took fighting with professionals and complaints and second opinions to get anyone to listen to us, so it must have been subtle for him to other people.

I just think it has to be easier the second time round. Fewer unknowns this time.

I talked to my HV at 6 weeks and again at 6 months. She has chalked it up to my anxiety due to my first experience. So I've gone around the houses. I've done direct referrals to the services I can do them to. I've got my GP to do other referrals. And then I mentioned the HV above doing an opthamology referral but actually it's my sons community nursery nurse who work with the HVs who I asked to come see my DD. She has referred her to audiology too. I just think rather than burying my head under the sand (which is so tempting!) I may as well crack on and start collating a history. If I'm wrong? I will just be dubbed the over anxious mum that I was dubbed 4 years ago. I no longer care less what these so called professionals think of me. I'm a nurse myself and am fully aware from my service that the squeakiest wheel gets the oil xxx

Hey any updates with your baby now please?
Would appreciate a response x