Hi everyone, this is a long one. Below is some of the concerns I have jotted down for when we have a initial appointment with the development paediatric doctor. My little one is 23 months but closer to 2 years old.
Our concerns:
- Poor eye contact – some eye contact gained when interested in something. Looks around parents mouth at times.
- Lack of response to name, will respond sometimes to “what’s this”. Will respond to stern tone when doing something dangerous and become upset.
- Poor joint attention – will often get up when parent joins in with play. Doesn’t bring things of interest to parents. Does not do things for a reaction. Will engage in tickles, chase and bubbles.
- Limited interest of strangers – doesn’t notice when “strangers” in house. Goes up to people in public and touches them if their clothing looks nice to touch. Not bothered by other children in soft play – often does not acknowledge them or looks away. Has began shutting his eyes over the last few months.
- Does not copy or mimic. Done this maybe once to a throat sound he makes. Rarely follows a point or a gesture.
- No gestures – no way of telling us what he wants – doesn’t lead us to the things he wants – quite a placid toddler and doesn’t want for much.
- Has never pretend played with a phone, doll or tool set.
- Always struggled with weaning and still does not eat much. Appears to chew and spit food out rather than swallow. Eats better when there are distractions. However, we have always eaten together at the table. Can get spoon to mouth most of the time but can not put food on spoon himself.
- Hyperactivity – runs about everywhere, needs lots of physical stimulation.
- Babbled from around 10 months then stopped. Made a sound in his throat and a grunt. Started babbling again around a month ago “mamama” “dadadada” but does not appear to be in context.
- - Still puts everything in mouth and chews everything – books, paint brushes, crayons. Doesn’t engage with the task will place object in mouth.
- Doesn’t appear to understand simple instructions or what parents are saying.
Repetitive behaviours
- Spinning – his body and objects. Places things on top of his shelf in snug and tries to spin them.
- Hand flapping – does not do this much at home anymore mainly in public.
- Closing eyes tightly – does this when happy, sad, tired etc.
- Grunting
- Head shaking – this is not in response to not wanting something or a way of saying “no”.
- Drops to knees and bounces – has done this outside a shop when he saw a dog.
- Pacing – paces back and forth throughout the day rather than sitting down
Obviously my little boy isn’t aware of what’s going on and that he is developing differently. My partner is convinced he has autism. He was diagnosed with absent ended diastolic flow and was born early I’ve read that this can cause neurological disorders. He’s a happy boy and makes me so proud. I’m a nurse and on my days off we go swimming, parks, soft play etc always keeping busy.
I’m just struggling with it all myself and don’t feel strong enough to support him. I feel like it’s my fault, that I’ve done something wrong or not done enough for him. Could someone offer advice on looking after yourself when going through this? What I can do to stop thinking and worrying all the time? As I know this will be a long process.
