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Original poster

Worried about Autism in my 8 month old son....

18 replies

Dianahunsberger · 19/04/2019 15:16

I'm just going to start by saying that I am a worrier, so hopefully this is just all perfectly normal, but I'm terribly worried that my almost 8 month old son is starting to show signs of autism. I guess I'll just explain what he has been doing.......

  1. he hand scratches....everything. Everything he touches is is scratching his fingers over. Looks like he is trying to feel texture or something, but he does it all the time.
  2. the last couple weeks he has been moaning a lot. He does babble and says dadadadad, coos and squeals, but it's this weird moaning that he does that makes me worried. Like a verbal stim or something.
  3. he has been slow to roll. He can roll from tummy to back if he is lying on our bed and occasionally when on the floor. Rolling from back to tummy has been a struggle. He has only done it a couple times and just doesn't seem motivated to even try, really.
  4. he has trouble standing up. His little legs are like jelly most of the time. I see other babies his age standing really well with assistance, but not the case with him. I will say he is a big baby (97% percentile), so perhaps he is just too heavy?
  5. He does this thing where he repeatedly smashes his hand down on toys, my arm....or sometimes he just sits there doing this.
  6. he doesn't seem to mind when I leave the room, and has always been good when we put him down to bed. Does this mean he doesn't have any attachment to us? or just a good baby?

He does like to play with a variety of toys, and will laugh and smile when we get his attention or do something funny. He also loves peak-a-boo.
I'm a first time mom, so I have no idea if any of this stuff is to be expected, or if I have a reason to worry.....

OP posts:
JuniorAsparagus · 19/04/2019 15:21

Have a word with your health visitor.

Beamur · 19/04/2019 15:25

None of that sounds out of the ordinary. Bigger babies often crawl/walk later, my DD didn't crawl until she was 1 year old and wasn't bearing weight on her legs until after then. She didn't roll much and disliked being on her tummy.
Do you have a baby clinic you go to? Or a health visitor? Maybe they could check and perhaps reassure you?

3ChangingForNow · 19/04/2019 15:26

Sounds normal tbh

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englishdictionary · 19/04/2019 15:26

Every single point you have listed falls under normal map for that age.

FenellaMaxwell · 19/04/2019 15:28

There is nothing there that sounds abnormal, apart from the fact you are worrying about it.

Hotterthanahotthing · 19/04/2019 15:32

My DD never rolled until or really crawled u til she could stand and suddenly found a use th rolling.
All sounds normal to me too.

Alb1 · 19/04/2019 15:33

All sounds completely normal. With the standing and rolling babies just do that in their own time, and if there was a problem (which it doesn’t sound like there is) it could be a lot of stuff other than autism, I’m no expert but I think it’s very rare for autism to present that early anyway. Speak to your health visitor to put your mind at rest, I used to ask mine all sorts of crazy questions as I’m a worrier too

Original poster
Dianahunsberger · 19/04/2019 17:45

Thanks Smile I know I’m a worrywort. I just want him to be happy and healthy that’s all! The meaning is driving me nuts. Maybe he is getting teeth soon?

OP posts:
Original poster
Dianahunsberger · 19/04/2019 17:46

*moaning

OP posts:
QueenBeex · 19/04/2019 17:56

it's perfectly normal for you to worry, all parents worry about something at some point

Bitchinwitch · 19/04/2019 19:33

Seems normal to me, my son did all you've listed above , he learnt to roll over at 10 months and he's now 12 months and still doesn't crawl, walk and his legs are also like jello, almost like he can't be bothered to put weight on them, he also enjoys smashing things and makes some odd noises, didn't think anything of it! Think he's just lazy tbh haha. My ds has also never been too fussed about me of dh, he's becoming slightly more attached now but I reckon I could leave him with a stranger for the week and he'd be quite happy lol x

FenellaMaxwell · 19/04/2019 20:39

I just want to point out that a child with autism can be perfectly happy and healthy.

Beamur · 19/04/2019 20:41

Good point Fenella

Youngandfree · 19/04/2019 20:46

They are all very normal!! Some studies have shown That autistic babies don’t actually babble that much at all so on that alone I would relax!

JoinTheMicrodots · 19/04/2019 20:51

@FenellaMaxwell that’s exactly what I was about to say!!

TapasForTwo · 19/04/2019 20:57

DD didn't pull herself up until 12 months. There is nothing wrong with her (she is 18).

polkadotpixie · 19/04/2019 21:20

My DS is 7 months and does all of those things. Autism hasn't crossed my mind tbh, they are just exploring the world and learning. Try not to torment yourself

Original poster
Dianahunsberger · 20/04/2019 19:57

Thanks. I will try my best! Your responses are all appreciated.

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