Worried about my 10m baby might be autistic, what are the signs of autism?

[Bambinalina]

Dear fellow Mums,
especially those of you with children on the spectrum. My 10m old boy, he is my second, so I do have some comparison to draw on presents the following signs: flaps his arms and hands; he doesn’t babble, rubs his feet in frustration while screaming, he can pick toys but cannot pass them or put them down, just drops them.
He screams & cries when his nappy is changed; dressing & undressing upsets him
hugely, he resists and gets so physically distressed it’s is really worrying 😢.
He had an assessment with a HV at 9m and scored low, he will be assessed again at 12m.
He has started to crawl and to pull himself standing, he keeps eye contact and sometime turns to his name, but that’s about it.
I just want to help him as much as possible. I understand the earlier a child is assessed the better the outcome, we can get him help and educate ourselves on how to be with him, how to keep him happy and understood.
Those of you with children on the spectrum, what were the early signs your babies presented? How early can I ask for an assessment?
He is a very longed for and dreamed for second child, and both me and my DH just want him to grow happy, secure and loved.

Sorry this turn to be a long post, I’m just worried, I’ll be grateful for some answers.

Hiya, I feel like I'm in the same boat. I'm really concerned that one of my twins is on the spectrum. He doesn't seek out or maintain eye contact like my other son, and doesn't really socially babble. It seems like he's in his own little world. Often he groans in frustration. He likes banging his feet against the floor and is really interested in tiny details of things like labels. He'll be 12 months old next week and I'm so so worried about him.
Did you have any luck in getting an assessment for your son?

Hi @cake1987 , I’m so sorry to hear about your concerns, it is worrying especially when have 2 babies to compare. I’m afraid no luck with more assessments not until he’ll be 12m.
I did speak to a mum of an autistic boy in my older son’s class about signs in baby age and when she felt, knew something is wrong…this has got me even more worried, but in reality the first proper assessment will be age 2y.
She also said that nursery staff had really helped for the diagnosis and reinforced her thought.
I think you can ask your Health Visitor for assessment at 12m, that just development assessment.
We just need to be keep interacting and encourage our babies and hope for a better outcome. Wishing you the best for luck dear.

Nursery have been very helpful in getting DD diagnosed - we just got her diagnosis last week at 3.5y. If traits are very clear, eg. non-verbal etc you may get a diagnosis around 2.5y perhaps but I’d be surprised at getting anything much earlier than that. Traits are clearer in boys but I don’t see anything I can relate to in your DS, but then that’s the beauty/pain in it being a spectrum! It’s good you’re aware of some quirks and have already got HV on side, even if it amounts to nothing.

I’ve felt real concerns since around the age of 2 but had started being wary around 12 months when she wasn’t pointing or really sharing interest. That’s a biggie and one to watch out for as your DS gets older. She’s always been very independent, and isn’t bothered about us trying to play with her, or other kids. She also has very repetitive behaviours and a love for order. Her vocab is huge but use of language in sentences is definitely behind her peers, though it is improving. She used a lot of echolalia/scripting of language - it was the main way she communicated between 2-3y. Imaginative play is also restricted, and she doesn’t extend her play sequences.
But these are all things that really can’t really be noticed until a little older. DD babbled/crawled/walked all on time so no concerns there.

She was first referred a year ago so we’ve actually had a relatively quick diagnosis compared with what we’ve heard - though we weren’t actually expecting to have her assessment until the end of the year so sometimes things can happen quicker than they tell you.

It’s impossible not to worry, so I won’t say that, but just keep being aware and proactive. Involve nursery in your concerns if he goes as they can really help and see how he progresses as he gets older. Sending love x

@Veebs21 Thank you so much for all the information; I’m glad to hear your DD was assessed and diagnosed fairly quickly but I’m sorry about the diagnosis. Sounds like she’s making good progress and from what I understand an early age diagnosis helps
parents fight for their DC’s educational needs to be met. I hope your DD gets educational plan and really good support in pre-school and later at school.

I appreciate 10m is early for assessment, but DS displays so many ared flags - not sharing interest, not being interested to play with us or with other kids, he doesn’t imitated/or try to copy anything, it is near impossible to engage him, doesn’t reciprocate in neither facial expressions or in gestures. No waving, no pointing, not “hi five” or clapping hands nothing in form of imitation. He still doesn’t babble (just makes vault cooing noises). He started to avoid prolonged eye contact and worst of all doesn’t enjoy affection, pushes & kicks against us when being hugged…long list of signs to be concerned about, bus as you said, I’m trying not to worry and just arm myself with a much information prior to assessment.

The HV referred him for hearing test (which I’m sure will come out perfect as he reacts to any surrounding noise).
He is due to start at a childminder in September, not a nursery but still be with other children. I will most definitely ask the Childminder to observe his progress and behaviours, ask of her opinion on his development.
I may try to get a GP appointment to voice my concerns and have this on record, so that if need be I ask for assessment at 2.5y after the standards 2y assessment.
Thank you again for sharing your DD’s experience and for the advice :)

Hi. I have posted about my son a few times here re concerns at same age and from earlier.

i still worry about him and some ‘quirks’, he is 14 months now. However, I will say he wasn’t doing most of the things you mentioned and suddenly become much more engaged after 11 months. Waving, clapping and some imitation in rhymes etc started then. A kind poster mentioned to me that they saw big changes after 11 months and that was the case for me too.

Sounds to me like a normal 10 month old. They rapidly change around 11-12 months and start clapping and maybe uttering a first word. My 14 month old hates getting nappy changed and only just started playing with stacking toys. I wouldn't stress

Hi @Bambinalina Wondering if you have an update on your lo? Found your thread while searching for support regarding my own concerns about my lo.

Hi

do you have an update on your child’s development as I have similar concerns
tbanks x

@cake1987 how is ur baby now??

@justmewithmylifetoday , @mthrofflwr , @Danielle1989x , @cake1987 , @Bambinalina hi, could I ask how your little ones doing? Have concerns about my baby. My husband doesn’t think there is a problem, despite GP saying I am right to be concerned and I just feel so lonely.

Hey, please can I kindly request an update on how your baby is doing now? I have similar concerns x

TIA

Hi @Bambinalina @Danielle1989x how are your little ones now?

Hey Bambinalina,
I'm so sorry to hear about your worries. From what you've described, your little one is showing some signs that could be associated with autism, such as arm flapping, lack of babbling, and distress during routine activities. It's great that he keeps eye contact and responds to his name sometimes. Early assessment is crucial, and it's wonderful that you're already on this path. My child also showed early signs like these, and early intervention made a huge difference.

For an early assessment, you can speak to your pediatrician or seek a referral to a specialist. Remember, every child is unique, and getting professional advice is the best step. Your love and concern for your son are clear, and that's the most important foundation for his happiness and well-being. Hang in there, and don't hesitate to reach out to support groups for additional guidance and reassurance. You're not alone in this journey.

Hello all,
I’m sorry it had takan me so long to respond to your request for update.
I’m happy to report my baby is now a happy, healthy and chatty 3y old. I pressed our GP when he was about one year old, we got a referral for to an early development specialist, the wait was about 6m. Before that ha had an audio and visual assessment, turned there was nothing wrong with his hearing and his sight.
Specialiat assessment was an hour, her repost concluded that his development is a little delayed but that he is engaged and show good signs of progress. We then had to wait for a further assessment when he was 2.5y.

He had been attending a small nursery since 14m old and although his speech took a while longer to come, and he had was frustrated, and had terrible tantrums - eventually this eased off. He is very strong headed, and the whole refusal to copy actions, join in small rhyme-time actions is part of his character.
Thank God my fear of his speech not developing and his adversity to physical touch are gone.
Doing potty training at the moment- not easy as he likes to do things on his terms and is very stubborn, but we are slowly getting to know each other’s ways of being.
He is due to start school, Reception class next year, I hope that he will be more agreeable and more engaged at school.

this is all, thank you all for responding to me in my time of worry. What I could say from experience that children are different and develop at a different pace, being assertive and alert as parent may make you anxious but it helps advocating for your child.