15mo showing signs of autism.

[TTC24]

Hi, firstly I'm sorry if I have put this post under the wrong topic. I'm just looking for advice.

My daughter is 15mo. Since she was around 8 months old (I noticed at 6 months but thought it was regular baby behaviour) she's shown signs of being autistic. I'll list below.

*she won't respond to anyone when they say her name.
*she was saying mama for around a month; then stopped. No words or attempts since.
*rocking back and forth in her high chair, travel cot, normal cot.
*when rocking back and forth she's purposely banging her head.
*half of the time she won't smile back if you smile at her.
*she will not interact with strangers/other family members. She will only interact with me, her father and grandparents, and that can only be sometimes, but more times than not.
*she doesn't like the feel of dogs, certain foods.
*she flaps her hands rapidly if she's excited, if she's in the bath and also when she's eating.
*she walks back and forth most of the day.
*she will not play with anyone but herself, rarely will play ball with me, partner or grandparents.
*she will not interact with any children, only look at babies when they are crying.
*she repeated rolls/throws her dummy/bottle/ball/toy around the room and chases it.
*she looks from the side of her face sometimes, moving her head side to side to do so (this is new.)
*she loves the feel of carpet/grass. She sits and slaps her hands and feet on either, and plays with them. Much rather play on carpet than with toys most of the time.
*when she's walking, she has to have something in her hands such as socks, shoes, teddies, toys. She flaps them in her hands as shes walking.

How do I go about being assessed? Our health visitor has 0 interest. I want to support her in the best possible way, even if this isn't autism, or if it is. We worry about her in a few years as if a mainstream school isn't what she needs, and we don't have a diagnosis, we can't support her and set her up with the support she needs.

Again I'm sorry for this post, We're just 2 young parents looking for advice on how to help our princess.

She sounds absolutely normal for 15 months old.

That all sounds totally normal

My son went through a phase at that age of crawling everywhere with a plastic teapot in his mouth. Absolutely not autistic, small children are naturally 'quirky'.

As long as you are engaging with her, reading with her etc it'll come in good time

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat @IstayedForTheFeminism ok thank you for your advice. A lot of people such as friends and family have said they have noticed she may be autistic which has made me want answers even more. Thank you both. X

Ok first of all take a big deep breath. Everything is fine and you don’t need to even think about schools etc right now.

This all does sound within the realms of normal for a 15 month old. Dd displayed a load of autism specific behaviours at around the same age, she’s 5 and does not have autism.

Dr’s generally won’t assess before the 2nd birthday as an absolute minimum due to the fact lots of babies can behave certain ways when there is nothing to worry about.

To ease your mind I would book a GP appointment to discuss, with the mindset of keeping an eye and seeing how she is in 12-18 months.

Re point 1 I’d ask the GP for a hearing check. The rest of it all sounds pretty standard for a 15MO.

Sounds like most children of that age. Did you post about this before? Anxiety is getting the better of you. Just chill and let her grow and develop in her own way and in her own time. She is much too young to be trying to label. Cherish her, love her and just let her be herself.

It could be normal, it could be something, it's impossible to say. Is she meeting her milestones on the ages and stages questionnaires?

Hey OP. I think you may be jumping to conclusions here, all sounds reasonably normal. She’s too young for diagnosis which is why your HV isn’t concerned.

All children are different, develop language differently, but they don’t tend to play with/interact with other children until around age 3-4, and often prefer familiar faces.

I would try to relax and enjoy her and see how things develop over the next few months. Contact your HV again in a few months if you’re still worried.

Thank you all so much. I think it's because my friend has a sibling with autism and she has said she's showing signs. I feel like I've let it into my mind too much. Thank you all, I will assess at a later time. I'm just an overthinker and just want my daughter to have a really comfortable life however we can do that. Sorry for being such an anxious Nelly. X

Good grief, are your friends and family medical professionals?

I am sorry they have made you stress terribly about this. Your dd sounds just like mine at around that age. She is a teenager now and is a happy and confident gal.

Enjoy your dd.

Hi OP
I think that what you've said is normal. Most kids have some quirky behaviours.
One of the big issues we have now is that information, articles etc is prolific and lots of things are labelled as 'autistic behaviours'. People then jump to conclusions.
Enjoy spending time with your DD and I'm sure over time she will develop different behaviours. Don't spoil your time with her now worrying about school.

I have 2 DD's , the elder was diagnosed T 2.5 years, the younger was showing all the same traits, just as you describe so was put into an experimental early intervention programme ... she is not autistic, they jumped the gun. By 2.5 my typical child was chattering away and playing with friends unlike her older sister but at 18 months it was a different story. I'm not saying you dd isn't but there's a reason why diagnosis can't be so young (I was overseas where drs don't think about the consequences often!)

Hi how is your daughter doing now? Anynupdates. My little girl also same...

I think your points ARE relevant. Not all but the ones such as smiling and interacting with people. Playing with you sometimes but not a lot. You're doing the right thing by checking . I'm not saying it is, some of those things are normal but you could wait and see how she gets on over the next 6 months things can change a lot. Xx

My son had these symptoms at this age and he does have autism. Sometimes as a parent you just know. I could’ve told you at 8 months old he had autism and was told it was ‘normal’ behaviour he was exhibiting.
In the end I went via the GP as the health visitor was useless and he eventually got diagnosed.
The waiting time for the assessment was about 4 years so I’m glad I got him referred when I did and that was pre Covid. If you’re concerned I would suggest asking nursery what their opinion is (if she attends) and then speaking to your GP.

@TTC24 hi any updates on how your little girl is doing?

@Ezhildeepa @Newmama232 yes, I had mentioned it previous to our health visitor but didn't really get a response. My sons HV came out for his 6-8 week check and she saw some of my daughters behaviours and really listened to me. We had our 2-2.5 yr check, which we spoke then about things we've noticed and it was all signed off that we need a paediatrician appointment. Our referral was accepted and we're currently on the 1st waiting list for the 1st official appointment. We’re now 2.5 and all that I listed is the same, other than she is slightly more social, and she has said a handful of words but they’ve tailed off, we’re currently at 0 words.

Hi,

it is very good step forward that you booked the appointment.
From my investigation into autism, it has two major criteria: communication intent (how easy to engage she is, how much she is trying to engage you, eye contact and socialising come under this), and inappropriate play (does she use toy as intentded, for example, does she move the cars as intended, or consistently flips them over and spins the wheels).

As some toddlers behave “autistic” until 2y, it’s is easy to confuse.

Saying all of that, your daughter has too many red flags, so there is a possibility she might have autism.

The autism peaks at the age 2-3y, and maybe she had 2 regressions , but she made progress in between, she was verbal, so if she has autism, those are very positive signs.

My 15m old son has some similarities, but is borderline. He could be just a strong willed, strong focus boy with a major speech delay (no words yet, no babbling), I don’t know. I’m anxious, so I worry a lot.

Plainly said, it sucks having a child with delay. My other child is completely fine, and comparison hurts my heart. I’m reminded one is not right.

I'm really, really surprised by the posters saying this is normal. My DS is 14 months and we spend lots of time with toddlers that age and I don't recognise any of what the OP said. I don't think it's helpful to dismiss legitimate concerns and the OP's observations of her own child.

OP I hope you finally get the support you need and do trust your gut with these things. You are her mum and know best x

@Givemepickles very late reply here. Thank you so much. My daughter is now 3, awaiting assessment, has a support worker, and we are now classed as a SEN family.
she is currently still non verbal, under speech and language therapy. she will be starting nursery very soon and will be working closely with the SEN team :)

I am upset at all those “well meaning” mothers on this post who dismissed your concern outright, who even called you anxious.
This forum is becoming useless.

I agree. I understand wanting to reassure and not panic, but reading OP’s list (a LONG list) it’s clear her daughter was not developing typically, and rushing to tell people their child is fine does them a real disservice as early intervention is key.

@Injackane @GoodnightAdeline unfortunately a lot of people (my parents and even my partner) told me I was anxious. I mentioned something at 6 months old and was dismissed by all my family (I was 19 when I had her) so I thought “yeah I’m just anxious!” Then more time went by, and it was like a nagging feeling in my stomach. When I posted this I was in the depth of my worry, then her meltdowns started and I just knew. When the health visitor came to see our son, and she looked at my daughter, looked at me and asked if I had any concerns I had tears in my eyes when listing everything as it was like “FINALLY!! I’m not an anxious young mum!!”
now we are where we are, because I didn’t give up and I knew my instinct was real and correct.
thank you both for your kind words, knowing there’s parents out there who are still willing to help and offer support on this subject is warming.

Well done for keeping going and not getting bogged down by people telling you you're just an anxious mum. You're not "just" anything - you're your daughter's biggest advocate and you're doing a bloody good job at that.

I've spent my entire career working with some of the most challenging children in the country (the most awesome too!!) and I've seen all too many times the fight their parents have had to put up just to get the bare minimum of their entitlement to help and support so keep doing what you're doing - don't settle for anything less than you're entitled to because your LA will drag their heels in any way they can to save a few quid!!x