So anxious and worried about milestones

[CleverGreyPoster]

Hello.
i’m a FTM to a beautiful DD who is 10 months actual, but 9 months adjusted as she was born 1 month early.
she is so happy with good eye contact, social smiling, laughing and lots of babbling. She babbles throughout the day and it has improved a lot in the last few weeks.
she is very active and loves to crawl, pull herself to stand and cruise on the furniture.
she started making strange with strangers a few weeks ago.
she seems to be curious about the world and interested in people and what’s going on around her.

here’s the thing. I’m so worried about some parts of her development. Autism is a big big fear of mine.
2 weeks ago she started clapping. Did it lots for about a week (not really in the right context but doing the movements) and hasn’t clapped in the last 5/6 days despite lots of prompting. She waved maybe once or twice and hasn’t really done it since.

I’ve also noticed that when she’s in her high chair, she twirls her hands and feet. She doesn’t do it in other contexts. I’ve pointed this out to other people and they think that she’s excited for food because she has always loved solids.

I can’t help but be very anxious about the possibility of autism. What do others think and have you seen anything similar in your children?

Thanks so much

I think at 10 months hand and foot twirling is fairly common, she's still a baby Afterall and she's probably just excited for her food.

Hand twirling isn't really a thing of interest till they are part around 7 months and still wouldn't necessarily mean that she may be ND on its own.

Equally stopping a skill is fairly common if they are currently learning a new skill like standing or walking.

If you want a bit of reassurance try this 9 months and progress checker.

Has the HV booked in her 12 month check yet?

I meant past around 18 months, sorry.

That makes sense. Thank you.

i find it very hard not to compare her to other babies. I can see that she is doing well in so many areas.

it’s hard to know if she has stopped clapping because she’s working on other things. She’s so active and always working on motor skills that she may be learning to stand/walk. I see her balance has improved recently.
I will keep an eye on her. I’ve booked my appointment.

and try not to be overly anxious.

Hand or foot twirling is really common on all children. It used to be (when my oldest ways little) in the red book as a development marker. All three of mine did it, and the dc I nannied all did it.

They do pick up something, get a lot of attention so do it lots, then move on. Doesn't mean they're regressing, simply finding something else fun to do.

I have 3 dc. One has (mild) ASD. They described it as just over the line to get a diagnosis. He's my youngest and currently sitting A-levels. He was probably the least keen on hand/foot twirling at that age - far more interested in watching the wheels on the toy car in his hand.

If she does have ASD, and nothing you have said says even "keep a watch" level, then she will still be your gorgeous girl.

But on what you've put, she's developing just fine and you really have nothing at all to worry about. If anything she's a little ahead, I'd say.

Thank you for your response.
it really helped me.

especially that she’ll always be my gorgeous girl