Autism in 8 month old

[Anxiousmother28]

My 8 mth old is showing all signs of autism. 1. Stopped babbling and won’t imitate sounds 2.rocks in high chair 3. Doesn’t respond to name 4. Doesn’t look for me (his mum) or try to get my attention 5. Isn’t comforted by my voice or being held 6. Clenched fists. 7. No sense of danger. Was crawling at 7 mths, at 7.5 mnths pulling to stand so physically reaching milestones.

Everyday I despair, I don’t know what the future holds and everyone is dismissing my fears or says we have to wait and see. I feel useless as a mother, my baby doesn’t want to be comforted by me, it’s breaking my heart.

I can totally understand that feeling of something not quite being right and your worries being dismissed

Who have you spoken to so far and what have they said @Anxiousmother28?

Oh, I know exactly how you feel. I am currently in the same boat with my little one .

Had all of those signs throughout the toddler years. Concerns were dismissed repeatedly, so I dropped the idea. She got diagnosed last year when she was 6. Before that had really tough first three years of primary, she didn't have the right support or tools. If I were you, I would keep pushing for an answer that feels somewhat valid. Might not get Autism or similar for a while, as they usually cannot be diagnosed until 2-4.

@Anxiousmother28has the HV at least referred your LO FIf a hearing test?

4 and 5 only possible flags at that age.

all the others not necessarily pointing to autism in an 8 month old.

@Anxiousmother28 How is your LO now?

Even if your baby is autistic, even if its severe, they will be comforted by you. You are his world. If he's autistic he may not be able to express that in a way you'd expect or even recognise, but that does not mean you are not important to him.

As for the rest of it, you dont have to sit around worrying until the medical profession thinks its time to take you seriously. There are things that you can do to encourage communication that will help if he is autistic and certainly won't hurt if he isnt.

And yes, please get his hearing checked. That's a good place to start and can be done at his age (and if they cant do it using the standard tests you may find thst speeds a referral onwards to a developmental paediatrician.