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.