HV mentioning autism at 14 months.

[noimaginationforausername]

Hi all, just hoping someone here can give us some insight.

My granddaughter is 15 months old and isn't really hitting her milestones, she is crawling and cruising but that's about it. She doesn't point, wave, clap, respond to her name and often looks as if she's away with the fairies! If you smile at her she doesn't smile back she kind of looks through you or around you. She's very calm and chilled and would sit and watch the tv all day if you let her (daughter can't have it on in the background as she just wouldn't play)! She's very cuddly and eats and sleeps well. I look after her 2 days a week and it's seriously easy!

My daughter had the 1 year check (bit late) on Tuesday and the HV is quite concerned about the lack of things GD can do and her lack of interaction with people. My daughter said she had noticed but was hoping she would catch up as she's only young but the HV told her she wasn't doing herself any favours ignoring the signs and she should start to research autism! Daughter is no beside herself and the HV just left telling dd to call them when gd turns 2!

DD and her husband are now really worried and confused but apparently just have to wait 9 months to see anyone!

I'm completely ignorant when it comes to autism and was wondering if it can be diagnosed this early or if the signs are there this early? Could it be some kind of developmental delay or could she just be a bit behind and will catch up?

Any advice would be great so I can pass it on.

@noimaginationforausername I am sorry to hear the health visitors thoughts about your dgd. As an experienced childminder what you describe about your dgd does give some cause for concern, however, without seeing her somewhere your dgd is settled and in a different situation over a period of time I think it is early to be talking about a diagnosis such as autism. Without input from professionals like a HV though it can be a long process to get a diagnosis of autism or another condition. I notice you care for your dgd a couple days a week, have you noticed any of the things that you have mentioned? It might be worth just watching (observing) how she interacts over the next few months and whether she starts joining in with other children and adults spontaneously. Keep a note of any progress, including dates, so that you can see how she is getting on. There is a downloadable publication called "What to expect when?" Which gives a parent information about children's developmental expectations at different ages and is in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage, Development Matters documentation that is used by a lot of Early Years Professionals (childminders, nurseries and pre-schools).
A lot of the time diagnoses aren't made until after the 2 year check, which is why the HV said to call then. If you can gather information in advance of this check, including any notes you and your dd make, plus any from any nursery/childminder that your dgd goes to it would really help a bigger picture of your dad's needs going forward and the best way to support her and your family.

Autism can be diagnosed this early, but that is rare, especially in girls as they tend to present differently to boys. I have a feeling that the HV has raised it because it is currently Autism Awareness Month and she has had extra training around it. As I said above though it may be nothing of concern or it could be autism or a different condition. I would spend time carefully researching via reputable sites something like the National Autistic Society or your Local Authorities Local Offer page, this is a website which should give you information about local services for a wide range of SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) including local support organisations for a wide variety of conditions and how they support the families who are affected in some way. In my LA there is an organisation called Reaching Families who have support workers plus a good network of parents who are happy to guide you through initial queries and the minefield of support post diagnosis, plus how to go about getting diagnosis.

It's simply not on that the HV has raised concerns them said "I'll speak to you again when she's two".

At the very least she should have arranged a a hearing test to rule out glue ear.

It must be hard when your DD is so upset. Are you able to make any suggestions or does she just want you to listen?