When to speak to HV about possible ASD?

[Sweetchillichicken]

My little one is nearly 2, hit most milestones early but has a few things that I’m concerned may be early ASD signs.

She picks up and forgets words easily, she does know around 40 words but will only say the ones that are fun to say or repetitive with funny voices.
She listens to her name and acknowledges it but can ignore if she’s focused which she zones out completely.
She has run circles for 10-15 minutes straight most nights.
She walks with her neck in the air or makes wide circle movements with her head.
She hates any sort of questions or learning play and will just walk away and ignore you if asked.
She will point out shapes if you ask her which is which but only if she wants to and can make cat dog and duck noises but mainly does them just to make herself laugh.
She hates food and I make plate after plate of healthy varieties for it to be turned down, she will really only eat strawberries and potato’s, if I cut them out she will not eat and only have milk or plain water.

I’m not sure if they can even diagnose anything so early but haven’t heard from the health visitor since she was 1 and I’m just not sure if this can be healthy 2 year old behaviour or if it should be checked out.

Does she go to nursery? If so; raise it with them, they should have a SENCo.

Or give your HV a call and explain your concerns and see what they say? Or even your GP?

Apart from moving arms in a circle, and running in circles for 15 minutes, your descriptions fit both my children around that age. Don't get me wrong, they both ran around at bedtime like mad things, just not in circles. But they both would say a word once or twice and then not bother again for months. My oldest, when he was 2, even if he knew the word for something he would just point and grunt out of laziness. Now at 4 he doesn't shut up! Defs speak to an HV to put your mind at ease, but it mostly doesn't sound like unusual behaviour to me.

She’s not in nursery yet as we can’t afford it but we are hoping to pick up a few hours after Christmas in a private one. I was thinking of calling the health visitor office and raising it but wasn’t sure if I was just being a worrier.

Oh and my son also went through a phase at around 2 where he would hardly touch any food. He just wanted to eat plain pasta and cherry tomatoes. He eats fine now.

Sounds like lots of children at that age. I’d suggest once she qualifies for some free hours that you get her in nursery. Don't worry!

It’s reassuring to hear it sounds quite normal for her age, I don’t think ASD would be the end of the world of course but I have two nephews with it struggling to adapt to school and social situations and I think it’s probably fuelled my worry for her future.

Well I called the HV as it’s still bothering me whose said it’s enough to merit a referral off the back of the phone call but not to worry as it could be a case of pent up energy and some terrible twos difficulty.