Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

9.5 month old regressed with name recognition. Autism Concerns

67 replies

Katewillows1 · 02/07/2021 09:06

Hi All, I'm the Mum of a 9.5month old DS. He was doing really well with turning to his name since about 7 months old but this past few weeks he's flat out ignoring us. Today I was literally yelled his name 11 times to no avail. He's a fairly happy boy. Makes good eye contact, smiles (mainly just at his parents). He's a little stand-offish with most people and doesn't smile really at people outside of his family. He reaches up to be picked up and has just started waving, although very intermittently. No pointing or clapping as yet. He's fairly vocal, ranging between screams and yells to mild babbling. He's quite independent and happily crawls around the house doing his own thing. Is fine to be left alone.

My main concern is that his lack of response to his name at this age is a key indicator for autism. Like I mentioned, he was doing really well and has now regressed to completely ignoring us.
Has anyone else found their LO started responding to their name and then regressed?Thanks so much x

OP posts:
doadeer · 05/07/2021 10:17

It's not about the individual things it is about the whole picture of behaviours

YanTanTethera123 · 05/07/2021 10:22

@Kanaloa

Can I just say don’t panic too much about those milestone lists. They’re just a guide, every child meets milestones in their own time - they didn’t get to see the list! If you’re repeatedly calling him he might just be ignoring you as it’s gotten boring.
^^this According to the milestones my DS failed to hit just about every single one! He was always too tall, too thin, underweight etc. He was never ill, very active and had a great appetite but the health visitor made me feel like shite. Please use common sense OP, no two babies are alike.
Original poster
Katewillows1 · 05/07/2021 11:34

@doadeer Thank you for sending that list through.
Were they traits you noticed in your DS from a young age? You sound like a wonderful, dedicated Mum to your beautiful son x

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

6-9 months old 9-12 months old Babies & sleep Behaviour & development
motogogo · 05/07/2021 11:35

At that age they are becoming aware of their surroundings much more, they then ignore being called because they are more interested in what they are doing. I wouldn't panic yet!

As for regression. My dd is autistic, she did not regress at a certain age, she simply never did these things, looking back there were clear signs at 6weeks old. The idea that they develop normally then regress is certainly not the norm for autism but is perpetuated in the media especially around anti vaxxer groups.

motogogo · 05/07/2021 11:36

Ps allergies can clog up their narrow ear tubes, this is something we experienced

doadeer · 05/07/2021 11:48

For us there were early signs but we didn't really say it to each other till he was about a year and a half. When I look back I think he didn't really tell me when he wanted to feed I had to guess, he was just so placid and easy going... He is the most beautiful little boy just smiles and laughs all day long in his own world.

It has been hard to hear all the areas that are of concern as you feel protective of our child and it's horrible to keep saying all the things he isn't doing "right"

But like I said up thread... Whilst they talk a lot about early intervention, actually the support when they are little is very limited in my borough at least.

It's good for you to be aware but try not to fixate on this. Even if they are ASD... They are still your beautiful child and you will be there to support them.

FizzingWhizzbee123 · 05/07/2021 21:33

Babies focus on one thing at a time. My eldest clapped and clapped and then totally stopped for months. He just had no interest, he was busy learning something else. My youngest just refused to look me in the eye for a solid month! He would look at and giggle for his dad, his grandparents, the bloody postman….. but not me! I just wasn’t interesting as he saw me all the time. He’s not back to making eye contact and laughing. At that age, I really wouldn’t worry about it although if you think there’s other possible hearing issues, maybe get a hearing test.

Original poster
Katewillows1 · 06/07/2021 09:18

@FizzingWhizzbee123
Thanks for the message. I find it so funny how babies do that; do something for a bit, then stop for ages. My DS goes in and out of babbling phases. At the moment he's more into screams for fun 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Katewillows1 · 14/08/2021 06:37

@doadeer Hi, Just wondering a few months on if your son ever waved or clapped and if he ever gave you things on request, I.e. Ta for Mummy? Our boy does respond to his name now (off and on) but he's not gesturing really. Thanks so much x

OP posts:
doadeer · 14/08/2021 07:27

He could wave briefly then stopped, he only claps now at 2.5 but not really on demand only if he wants to. At 2.3 years he started taking our hand if he wanted to go to the sink for a drink.

I wouldn't focus on small details it's about the big picture across, communication and play, social interaction and repetitive behaviours

Original poster
Katewillows1 · 14/08/2021 09:12

@doadeer Thank you for the reply.
Our LO was waving too but has now stopped.
I'm definitely trying to look at the overall picture and not stress too much (although it's very hard).

OP posts:
October2020 · 14/08/2021 09:15

My little girl has done pretty much every skill and then stopped for weeks/months, only to then start up again later. In the mean time she's been practising another skill and the cycle repeats!

Have you asked your HV to come and see you both? They won't assess for autism so young but they will do the Ages and Stages questionnaire with you and that will give you a more accurate picture of where he is. They're very detailed.

Original poster
Katewillows1 · 14/08/2021 09:44

@October2020 thanks for the reply.
We are booked in to see a paediatrician in a few weeks. I'm going to mention to him then that LO is no longer waving and has never pointed or clapped. He does hand me things when I say 'ta for Mummy' and he does look if I point at something but only at very close proximity. He doesn't have any words yet but I think that's ok. He does babble but not alot of repetitive babbling, more just sounds x

OP posts:
doadeer · 14/08/2021 10:03

I understand the worry trust me, but even 2 is considered very early for a diagnosis. All you can do is be patient, observe behaviour, try to create the most gentle and relaxing environment for your little one. There's such variation in milestone attainment they absolutely won't be worried at this stage.

njh21 · 20/09/2022 19:03

Hi Op @Katewillows1

What was the outcome for your LO? My 9mo is ignoring us too!

Chzm · 24/05/2024 12:33

njh21 · 20/09/2022 19:03

Hi Op @Katewillows1

What was the outcome for your LO? My 9mo is ignoring us too!

Hey how is your baby now?

Hoping you reply from a worried mum x

Original poster
Katewillows1 · 24/05/2024 22:55

Hi @njh21
My son is now 3.5years and by all accounts a typical little boy.
I was sooo beyond worried and stressed at the time, but looking back now can see it was way to early and I was expecting too much. I would say it wasn't until he was at least 1 year old that he properly starting responding to his name (I have no idea if this is the norm). I would say, give it alot more time x

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page