I have concerns if my son has Autism or if this is typical of toddlers or just his personality? He has recently turned 3 years old.
- He does not give eye contact ever since birth. I know he can see well as he can respond to whats in front of him or far away. But he will avoid eye contact, it's super rare if he glances at me or anyone. He will stare at the wall if you talk to him.
- Whilst I thought he was imaginative, it does seem repetitive. He also will avoid animals or human like toys as they seem to scare him. His own teddys on his bed seem to scare him too so he will avoid interaction with them. He will use objects as 'people' instead that tend to represent a family. The imaginative games tend to be the family of (whatever objects he chooses) goes to a cafe, toilet and soft play repeatedly or he will want to act out a favourite show or book repeatedly and play nothing else.
- He's recently new at his nursery, but they said he just watches the other kids and doesn't join in. He also seems to 'wait for permission' when to get on or off toilet or to get a toy out of a bag (despite all of our practice and encouragement)
- Playing with kids: if a child goes up to ask to play, he will get upset and say no each time and will cry if they try to play. He can play near children but will only play with me or his dad.
- He doesn't look at me or point to something to get me to see, he will just say the thing that interests him out loud 'an air vent!' 'a fan' (interests are machines, does not care for animals/people)
- When he walks into preschool he won't wave bye or hello and won't wave to someone unless i ask him to 'wave good bye'.
- Background: I took him to toddler classes, social activities and meet ups every day his whole life, always giving him the chance to socialise without pushing him. We rarely watch tv and spend a lot of time playing together.
This all could be normal! It's mainly the eye contact and social interaction which has me worrying. Wondering if anyone can relate? if this is just typical toddler? or signs of autism? When see by a health visitor in the past they said they had no concerns as he 'showed interest in her, but was not too affectionate'. He hits all his milestones fine.