Almost 8 month old

[Popsicle17]

I have a DS who is very nearly 8 months old and I am struggling so much with anxiety regarding his development. I have been to the doctors and am getting support for this but I am looking to hear other peoples experiences as the worrying is constant

I am noticing some things which when you read up on them all point to autism:

• He doesn't give good eye contact unless at a distance. For example, when playing.

-He doesn't look/respond when spoken to most of the time unless again from a distance which is better. Although he will when someone walks into a room and talks to him.

• hard to get his attention
• not showing any interest in clapping or waving but I do know this can be later but my anxiety riddled brain still can't help worrying about this
• only just started making different sounds although this is not consistent.

As someone whose anxiety has come back since having my baby 10 months ago, I know that reassurance from people here will only help for a short while. It’s so hard being anxious and even if someone reassures you, there’s always the doubt or something else to focus the anxiety on. I’m sorry you’re also feeling that way.
I will still try to give you some reassurance though!
A lot of very normal developmental things that babies this age do are ‘signs’ of autism. It just means that there are similarities between how babies act and actual things that point to a child jabbing autism. It is far far too early to ever be able to tell if a child is autistic. So please try to remember that when you notice things - they’re normal baby actions. Also remember that all babies develop slightly differently. Some babies will clap early, some will be later etc.
In terms of eye contact - there’s a lot for them to be distracted by. They aren’t always going to respond to their name etc. It’s normal.
My little one is 10 months and only sometimes waves at us. I know he can do it, he just doesn’t most of the time. He’s also only just started rolling onto his tummy. He’s never crawled. But he was walking unaided at 9 months. At his 9 month review the Health Visitor wasn’t concerned. You can always contact your health visitor if worried.
If you were to ask a group of 10 other parents with babies the same age as yours there will be such variation in what babies are doing. Some will be crawling, some babbling really clearly, some clapping, some standing etc.

He's had enough of staring at you and fancies looking at his toys! 😁 Honestly I wouldn't be concerned from what you've said. Mine is just about to turn 8 months and is similar to yours. I've amped up the waving and he has JUST done a single arm raise back to me, not a wave but an attempt none the less. How is he with smiling/sitting/looking at self in mirror? If you sing a nursery rhyme does he look at you? It's so difficult to not worry but your boy sounds perfect from all the millions of articles I've read about all the things listed due to my own crippling anxiety about his development (ha)

Here’s an update on my little one for anyone who has come across my post looking for the same reassurance I was at this stage.

My little one is now nearly 17 months old and he is very chatty, and interacts with everyone, says hiya to every person we walk passed in the street. I now have no concerns although occasionally my anxiety will creep up and put little lies into my head which I am able to control better. I would say if you are having these thoughts and worries about your little one, just give it time, they will get there and you’ll wonder what all the worrying was about, just enjoy this age whilst you can as it really doesn’t last very long.