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Original poster

10mo doesn't clap or wave

22 replies

tuttuttut · 25/05/2008 13:06

All the other babies his age seem to be doing this.. I shouldn't compare i know i know but can anyone really help it! Is it ok that he can't do these things? He crawls, pulls up, cruises but i really want him to show signs of engaging with me iykwim? Plus i've just been reading some stuff about asd and i'm now worried that he also doesn't point (not really that worried because i believed that came later contrary to the site i just looked at) he's my first so just after reassurance really

OP posts:
PuppyDogTails · 25/05/2008 13:10

My DS is nearly 13 months, has no idea about clapping, waves on a very rare occasion, has just started to point. He engages in different ways, like smacking me in the face

bubblagirl · 25/05/2008 13:12

too young to be looking into this he is 10 mths my ds didnt do crawl till 8 m ths dont remember him being interested in much at that age clapping and pointing came with age and curiosity at about a yr

do not think anything bad at this age children stop and start things all the time until about 2

they dont engage at that age they watch whats going on

bubblagirl · 25/05/2008 13:13

i meant to say my ds crawled at 8 mths pulled himself up and hit all milestones as is your ds engaging is not something babies really do they tend to just watch

try getting his hands when something good and clap his hands while saying yeah

sometimes they learn reactions not just naturally do it

Meandmyjoe · 25/05/2008 19:19

Are they meant to point at that age??? I would have thought that it was far too early to be worrying. My ds is 9 months and has has clapped his hands since about 7 months but still doesn't wave or point. I think it's something that comes with age. i wouldn't start to worry til at least 12- 18 months. I know how worrying it is with your first child though but he'll do it in his own time. He's probably been far too engaged in perfecting his motor skills to be bothering with little things like pointing! My ds still only crawls backwards but I think at this age mobility is far more exciting to them as it gives them independence so seriously don't worry!

yurt1 · 25/05/2008 19:20

It's too early to worry.

Look for pointing out things of interest by 18 moths. THat's another lifetime away (literally) for him!

SpecialOffer · 25/05/2008 19:22

My son is 10.5 months and does not clap or wave either, and just looks at me if I clap in front of him!!

I have been signing with him since 6 months old, and he has not yet signed back at me! Maybe its a boy thing??

cadelaide · 25/05/2008 19:23

LOL @ Puppy...

colander · 25/05/2008 19:48

I don't think DD1 waved or clapped at that age. I always remember the HV at her 8 month check saying "oh she'll be playing pat-a-cake soon"...and then about 2 years later she did. Still, she is the brightest in her class and on stage 10 of the reading scheme at age 5.5 so I don't think you need to worry too much provided dc is doing other stuff.

Sorry - just re read that - sounds like a boast, I just meant to say that what they are like at 8 mo isn't a huge indicator of future intelligence.

After all, no one writes on their CV "I was walking at 10 months" or "I said my first word at 6 months" (well, not unless they got their mummy to write if for them anyway )

StealthPolarBear · 25/05/2008 19:52

I have done this! DS is coming up 13 months, only points to things that interest him (birds in the garden etc, or me in a shop when he's with DH) but can't "point at your teddy" etc that his friends seem to do. Doesn't clap, has waved once (which i think was probably coincidence)
lol at the CV - when I was pg we had a meal with my parents and ILs as they reminisced how I was reading at 9 months and DH walking at 7 months... Our baby could fire snot and hit a midwife from 10 feet at 3 days old!
Do you mind me asking if you breastfeed/fed? Please don't all jump on me, it's not what you think...

Original poster
tuttuttut · 25/05/2008 20:39

Thanks for replying everyone. You've made me feel much better. I try to control my worrying nature and i know he's fine but then i'll see another baby doing "tricks" and it sets me off lol. Stealthpolarbear - i breastfed up until 3 months but stopped due to severe pnd.

OP posts:
Jojay · 25/05/2008 20:42

My DS is 18 months and claps, waves and points, but I'm sure he didn't at 10 months.

Don't worry.

Squack · 25/05/2008 20:43

Do you point? Do you wave? If not whee will he learn?

my 15 mo has yet to point at anything because we don't point as such.

clapping came to him at 13 months, but it's not a trick and I suspect he probably could do it earlier but it simply doesn't rate highly as an activity to him.

He has not waved at anyone, but will say bye and hiya.

tigermeow · 25/05/2008 21:16

How often does your DS see waving or clapping? How often do you clap for him

We lived in abroad where waving 'bye' was so rare to see. DD never saw anyone wave bye bye, I never waved bye bye as it wasn't the social norm. At 12 months she still wasn't waving so taught her myself as the social cues for her were missing. She was waving within a week. The same for clapping- I'd seen clapping on the milestone charts but it never occured to me that she had to see clapping to be able to do it herself...I just thought she'd pick it up....I never clapped at her...just used verbal praise. Again she never saw clapping so after the 12month check up I taught her how to clap!

Your DS sounds like a great lttle boy.

MannyMoeAndJack · 25/05/2008 21:33

I would focus on getting your ds interested in pointing because it is most definitely NOT a 'little thing', it is a fundamental precursor of verbal communication. If your ds doesn't wave, clap or point, then how does he engage with you and other family members? Lots of eye contact and laughing?

StealthPolarBear · 25/05/2008 21:48

I read somewhere and have been desperately trying to find it that an indicator of ASD is an inability as a newborn to latch on, and so babies with ASD commonly have an inability to breastfeed.
Please note: the reverse is not true! Plus, I'm going to keep searching as I don't want anyone to take that as fact when I might have imagined it in a sleep deprived state.

yurt1 · 25/05/2008 21:56

Lots of children with SN have feeding problems. Often due to hypotnia.

IN the case of a child with ASD (if the underlying difficulties were present at birth) feeding problems might reflect sensory or motor problems.

StealthPolarBear · 25/05/2008 21:57

Yes, I suppose that does make sense

yurt1 · 25/05/2008 21:57

10 months is reallly way way way too young to worry about pointing. No pointing/sharing interests at 18 months, yes you need to think about referrals, but not at 10 months- it's way too early.

Original poster
tuttuttut · 25/05/2008 22:10

He does give eye contact and laughs alot. Difficult to see how he points to things he wants because he just clambers off to get whatever it is rather than pointing at it. Finds it hilarious if i crawl up to him while he's stood next to the sofa and say "mummy's going to tickle you!" Loves songs etc. He dances too.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 25/05/2008 22:14

Yes, mine too, chatters, laughs, plays peek a boo.

mylovelymonster · 25/05/2008 22:17

He sounds gorgeous. Don't worry x

MannyMoeAndJack · 25/05/2008 22:45

Your ds sounds as though he has some good communcation skills. I agree that 10mths is early to worry about a lack of pointing; hopefully, it will emerge in a couple of months or so.

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