Anyone else got a 1 year old and concerns about autism?

[JustReallyWorried]

My DD is 14 months and I've suspected that something isn't right for a long time. The main issue is poor eye contact, and that she still rarely responds to her name. She does give eye contact sometimes but very much on her terms, she usually completely ignores me when I'm trying to get her attention. She still doesn't point or seem to know what things mean.

She has recently started to clap and wave, and will copy actions to nursery rhymes. She will now bring me things she wants (eg. if she wants a particular book read to her then she'll bring it and throw it at me!), though I've read that that can also be a warning sign of autism if it's done instead of pointing.

She doesn't really do cuddles or affection, which is very upsetting! Not even with her teddies, she plays with them by shaking them around.

The Health Visitor hasn't been very helpful and just says to see how she progresses, though I do appreciate it's very early days. DD has had a hearing test recently which was fine.

Anyone else in the same boat?

Is she your only child? Do you have any autism / traits in your and her dad or family? I ask because I do / have watched my children for signs of autism as it’s in our family. I have 4 children. Two of them have a diagnosis and I have a 16 month old who I watch. I don’t think she’s on the spectrum but you never know. My 12 year old dd would have passed the CHAT test at the right time but she’s on the spectrum.

I’d advise keeping a diary of things as she does them.

Affection / lack of doesn’t have anything to do with autism. My 17 year old is completely NT but she’s the only one in our family who hates hugs.

Thanks for replying @SugarbabyMilly. She is my only child, yes. There's no family history, though I have strongly suspected that I am on the spectrum for many years. I did a screening test which came out with "very highly likely".

I’m on the spectrum too. I was only diagnosed at the age of 37.