16 month old with autism

[9911bon]

Hi
I believe DS has autism. He has always had ‘quirky’ behaviours since day 1. He cried all the time as a baby (still does), he was very serious and rarely smiles (unless being tickled) and used to twirl his hands and feet (has now stopped this).
At the 1 year check he was very behind on his social and communication which made us explore the causes a little more. He ticked all the boxes for autism.
4 months on at 16months, he still doesn’t point, no words but babbles, no eye contact at close range, tantrums by thrashing his body around, head bangs and plays alone. He does play with lots of toys but he mainly just sits in the floor and rolls his cars behind him over and over again. He answers to his name sometimes. If people come over he barely notices and just carries on in his own little world. He was waving occasionally but that has stopped. He is also constantly flicking his ears/putting fingers in ears.
On a positive he does understand certain commands like we are going for a bath/cleaning teeth etc. He does copy some actions like putting his hands on his head, and touching his feet etc.

I could go on.

I saw the paediatrician last week but naturally was told to come back in 7 months as he is to young. It’s so frustrating.
Anyone have similar symptoms but not diagnosed with autism? It seems unlikely now that he will suddenly grow out of these things so don’t know why we have to wait so long.
If early intervention is so key, why don’t they provide at least some advise pre diagnosis, just in case.

I’m feeling very sad. 😞
Of course our long term plan was to have another child one day, but I don’t feel like I can take the risk until I know for sure if DS has autism or not.

Any advise/help would be welcomed x

Hi, I work with young children with ASD and certainly what you say would concern me although lots of people will tell you he’s too young. However early intervention can never harm! Could you make an appointment with your HV and say that you need some support? Are there any children’s centres near you? Where these still exist there may be family workers who could support. Good luck

Hello, sorry I am late to this post but I was wondering how your little one is getting on. Have you been to see anyone? My 16 month old displays some of the same signs. Any update would help and advise you could give. Thanks!

Hello! Just wondered if there was an update 🙂

My little girl is 16 months old. I suffer with Health Anxiety so i always read into a lot of things.

I went through a stage of questioning if my little girl had austism. She very rarely responds to her name, unless I say 'look' afterwards. But, that is my only red flag.

How is your little one doing now?

@9911bon how is ur baby now?

Hi
my son is now 4 years. He received an autism diagnosis at 3 years and 3 months old.
I always feared autism ( lack of understanding on my behalf) and whilst i still have many worries and concerns for his future ( like any parent), i am so reassured by my sons progress.

he can talk which I think was the biggest milestone for us. At least now we can communicate verbally which has taken away so many stresses on all of us.
he still very much has his ‘quirks’. Routines and things being done in a certain way is very important to him - such as him having to open the door when we leave or return home.
he copies other children as suppose to play with them and it can be difficult to watch when children talk to him and he doesn’t respond etc
he has no interest in climbing/parks, rides or ride on toys - which are mikestones any parent looks forward to teaching their children.
I could go on, but overall I’d say that he is a lovely little boy and I know my friends and family and his nursery all agree.

In terms of support - he had very little input from SALT. We have worked with portage for about 18 months but this now being stopped. We are working toward an EHCP but this has just been rejected (I am appealing).

I wish I had not worried so much when he was little, but they were tough times and anxiety got the better of me.

Thanks for the update Op all the best to you and your family. My son was diagnosed at 4 x

@MumOfHals how is your baby doing now? Was it just a phase?