Posting again - 15mo development worrying me! Please help me!

[itsmehiimtheproblemitssme]

I have posted before - I think last month - about this, but now I'm even more worried.
My son has just turned 15 months and is almost no different to how he was at 8 months.
He crawls extremely well, but still doesn't cruise/pull up to stand. I've tried supporting him to stand but he just lifts his legs up and wriggles out of my hands until he's sat down. He's always been quite stiff in his body movements but his coordination seems alright.
He has no words, apart from the occasional mama, which sounds more like a mumbling than an intentional sounding out of a word. He doesn't really babble either.
He shows interest in faces but hates being touched or held unless by me.
He can't understand how to use his cup. He also seems so distant and aloof so often. It's like he daydreams and can't hear a thing.
He doesn't answer to his name, clap, wave, can't hold things well either. Also, he has problems with stimming often, cries excessively (hours. every. day.). And he struggles eating, as in he can't eat anything other than puree or mashed up food - he constantly chokes on anything else.

Yes, tried the GP who insists they can't do anything until baby is 18 months. HV has made referrals. Suspected autism but even then, I've never heard of delays to this extent with autism. Thoughts? Am I just over worrying?
I'm just so worried. He's behind in every single way and I don't know why.

Hi, you mentioned HV has made referrals - is one of those for a hearing check? Just wondering as some of the things you describe could be attributed to glue ear, maybe? The best thing you can do is what you are already doing and keep on at the Dr and HV for updates and to try and keep momentum. In the meantime there's lots you can do to try and bring him on. What grabs his attention? Is there something which makes him laugh? I can recommend some resources I've found useful? X

Hi, thank you for your reply. He is scheduled for a hearing test soon, waiting list here is so long. I'd think glue ear is very likely considering he has had so many ear infections since he was a few months old.
He really loves hugs and tickles with me and getting on the ground with him at eye level is the only way to really get his attention, but he can't stay still enough to watch me talk, read a book, flashcards or anything like that. Any resources would be amazing x

Hi @itsmehiimtheproblemitssme just wondered how your baby is doing? I am in the similar situation and our boys sound similar although mine is younger , I see so many red flags, it really makes me sad

There are few red flags for autism, I understand why you are worried. Stimming, lack of expressive language, behind on gross motor skills, and sensory issues being the biggest flags.

I am not a medical professional, so I might be wrong. My advice would be aggressively pushing for an early intervention, right now. Press for diagnosis in parallel, but that might take a year or two, so in the meantime, start with speech and physical therapy. If it autism, at least you will be on the top of it, and if it is not, it won’t hurt to help him along.

Let us know how it goes ahead. Keep strong.