18 months no pointing… but

[CantSwitchOff]

My DS is nearly 18 months, in two weeks he will be and 18 months feels like a big deal because it’s sort of a cut off point for milestones like pointing which he isn’t doing.

He is a gorgeous happy little dote. But for several reasons, not just lack pointing we are worried.
Doesn't respond to name more often than not
No words, not much babbling more just isolated sounds like da or mmmm, makes 2 animal noises, panting for dog and sss for snake, sometimes monkey noises
Eye contact isn’t great, it’s fleeting
Doesn’t bring us things or show us things (although will try feed us things with his spoon if we say feed me)
Barely any gestures, doesn’t imitate gestures, have tried signs since he was basically 4 months and hasn’t picked one up.

Now I know, especially on paper and according to MChat he is high risk for autism. But I just keep looking for little signs that actually he’s just reaching his communication milestones a little later but he’ll get there…
he seems to have a decent understanding of what we say to him (although doesn’t follow routines, eg when other children in his toddler group start putting toys away in the box he is running off oblivious) basically he’s always the one running around in our baby groups not able to sit still at all

But he’s done two things in the last week, he brought me and handed me his toy twice but hasn’t done it again.
When reading his books he has just started to look up at me from the page, wait for me to read it and look back at the page when I do, turns the page and does this throughout the book - feels much more like joint attention than before. I’m wondering could this type of looking at me to read to him be a precursor to pointing? It’s a similar thing that he’s doing isn’t it?

Seeing HV this week, paediatrician next month and we have second call with SaLT this week. Also want to get his hearing tested.

Bump

One more hopeful bump 😔

Its impossible to tell i think. My son did point - and he has autism.

Have you tried the special needs boards?

Thanks @SuperSleepyBaby I haven’t tried the special needs board maybe I’ll get more traffic there thank you

Hey, just wanted to say that my son wasn't pointing at 18 months either and I was starting to worry but in the last few months he's started pointing more and more gradually and will now point to things of interest, to show me something or to ask for things etc and he's 21 months now :) my son also has very limited words too

Thanks @boymamm this is very reassuring to hear. HV saw him yesterday and is going to try for referral to community paediatrician but said sometimes this can’t be done until age 2 but fingers crossed the referral will be accepted. Desperately hoping we’ll see things start to click for him in the coming months, glad to hear your DS is now pointing and sharing interests x

Thanks @boymamm this is very reassuring to hear. HV saw him yesterday and is going to try for referral to community paediatrician but said sometimes this can’t be done until age 2 but fingers crossed the referral will be accepted. Desperately hoping we’ll see things start to click for him in the coming months, glad to hear your DS is now pointing and sharing interests x

Not got anything to add but just wanted to acknowledge your post and how scary it can all seem and hope all turns out ok for your DS :)

@scousemouse92 thank you, that really means a lot

Hiya,

my situation is really similar. My son is 18 months in two weeks and I’m really concerned that he doesn’t answer to his name, has issues around food and seems to wonder about and play in his own quiet world although he is completely happy with that. He does point but only generically and says look or wow but never really at anything specific.

he will interact with me if I initiate but he will not respond to his name unless I’m right in front of him and already have his attention, nursery have flagged concerns about his emotional regulation but my husband is a SEN teacher and says he doesn’t think there is anything wrong and he isn’t concerned as the responding to name/eye contact/pointing thing is old fashioned and many autistic kids meet these targets and many NT don’t but I can’t shake it and it really worries me so you aren’t alone!

@Eastlondonmummy sorry to hear you’ve been feeling worried it’s really hard. My DS is now 21.5 months and we’re pretty certain he’s autistic. We’ve seen a SaLT (had to go private as keep being told we will be waiting for ages on nhs) and she said he fits the profile although obviously can’t diagnose. Our HV referred him to the community paediatrician at 18 months due to our concerns and they’re going to see him again when he’s 2 and I assume they will refer him for an assessment although it’s 2+ years waiting list where we are.
I’d say it’s it’s definitely worth a chat with your hv and see if they can refer you as there’s nothing to lose by having him seen and if it turns out to be nothing great but early intervention can make a huge difference.
Listen to your gut! (I was an SEN teacher and I disagree with your DH!) Also speaking to SaLT and another therapist, the lack of responding to name and lack of pointing are big indicators at this age, along with other behaviours like being in their own world, trouble regulating etc definitely worth flagging I think, best of luck xx

@CantSwitchOff Anymore updates? In a similar-ish situation x

Hi both, sorry for late reply, I struggled to sign in!

Thank you @CantSwitchOff for your advice, I hope your little one is doing well and has the support they need.

@sha160528 my son is now 19.5 months and is a completely different boy! It’s like he just flicked a switch! He is now responding to his name and simple requests fine and has loads of vocabulary! He is still happy playing on his own and can be funny with food but all the things I was concerned about seem to have vanished so I would say if your child is a similar age, wait it out a bit x

@Eastlondonmummy no worries! Did he get any intervention or help that helped him? Would you still say you have concerns around Autism?