Does this sound normal for 16 months?

[Idontlikemondayss]

I am just wondering whether my 16 month old seems normal, or if ASD could be at play. His older (half) brother has autism so I’m aware his chances are slightly higher.

He has no proper words yet. He babbles and makes sounds but nothing with meaning - can say mama and dada but not to mean us. Sometimes he makes sounds that sound like they could be him trying to speak, eg ‘wow’ but it’s not consistently to mean something.

He loves it when me or his dad play games with him, and will laugh hysterically when his older siblings play but outside of that he doesn’t seem that interested in engaging with people socially. He won’t smile at anyone else, doesn’t seem interested in the other kids in the wider family or at playgroups. In social settings he just wanders around seeming in his own little world.

He wants to put everything in his mouth. Sometimes has meltdowns where he is completely inconsolable.

He waves, but not really in the right contexts, same with clapping although he can do it. Has never pointed.

I know a few his age and even the ones that aren’t too advanced with speech seem to be on some sort of wavelength with their parents where they can communicate what they want by now. He just doesn’t.

Has anyone had a toddler like this that has turned out to be NT or is it a good idea to start thinking about ASD?

Our DC2 had speech delay and is now on the Pathway so it might be worth thinking about ASD, especially if they have s half-sibling with ASD.

I think in your shoes I'd book an appointment with your HV, complete the Ages & Stages questionnaire for 16 months and take it with you.

I think the very least she should do is to refer them fir a hearing test and to SLT

Hello, can you provide an update please? I am facing something similar

Hi any update son your ds? ❤️

Hello @Vittoria123 . He is now almost 2.5 and his speech has really exploded in a quite a one way/labelling sense. He can say things like red car, orange juice, bye Mummy etc but if you ask him any questions (e.g. do you want a drink) he doesn't seem to understand. He still loves interaction but it still seems in a bit of a baby way, he howls with laughter at the same silly songs and sounds as he did when he was tiny.

Strangely among his first words were a lot of letters and numbers. He was identifying letters long before he said our names.

I do think there is some sort of ASD at play, maybe on the less severe end of the spectrum but at the moment he is a very happy, loving boy.

Hope this helps you!