Early signs of autism?

[Annevl]

I could really do with some advice as I am not sure if this is just anxiety speaking!

I have a little boy who’s 10 months. After a rough start with allergies and reflux he’s now doing very well. Motor development-wise he’s on the ball; crawling, pulling up, cruising etc. However during our 9-12 month review the health visitor mentioned he might be a bit behind in communication (this review was done online so she’s not seen him in person only relied on our answers to the questionnaire). Basically my LO is not yet waving (although I feel he has done this in the past), clapping, handing me objects or initiating play such as peek a boo or pat a cake. I have also noticed that he doesn’t always listens to his name (he can hear fine but chooses not to listen) and he doesn’t seem to mimic our gestures. Could he be displaying some very early signs of autism?

I am a first time mum and feeling pretty anxious about this! I have worked with adults with autism and feel like life can be such a struggle sometimes which I think is where the anxiety may come from.

Sorry for the long post but hoping someone can advice!

What’s his eye contact like?

Not all babies are interested in clapping a waving. When you meet up with people with babies the same age as yours do they seem more interactive with their parents?

I think keep on top of it and try to get him to do these things, but 10 months is reallyyyy young. If at 15 months he still isn't doing any of those things then it would be more of a cause for concern. Even 15 months is super young and early intervention would make a huge difference at this age.

My son never clapped or waived, just wasn’t interested. But otherwise he was very alert and cheeky, we always knew he was fine. We do however had friends with a boy the same age as our son and I knew straight away he was on autism spectrum. Just seeing him next to our son always made me sure. I think the best way is to bring your baby to a play group where you can meet other babies and you might know then

My 13.5 month old son has never waved. I'm sure he's fine. I worried about this sort of thing so much with my (now) toddler when he was the same age but you eventually realise they just do stuff at different times. (Plus if your child is autistic you can't do anything about it at 10 mo the old anyway). For comparison, my toddler at 10 months old was in the black for 2 areas of his ASQ, and in the grey for everything else apart from 1 area where he scored white. He is almost 3 and absolutely fine, really smart, chats away and just like every other toddler. All that worrying was unnecessary, as it likely is for you too. I do sympathise though- it is tough to have these worries.

Yep my LO point blanked ignored me at times saying his name.
Didn't clap till 1 and waved at 18 months.
First word also at 18 months.
I know children who didn't talk till 3.
Honestly they all vary so much!

Nursery was the changing point for my DS. It helped a lot!

Hi everyone, thank you so much for the messages! It really helps a lot! It is very reassuring to hear babies who were similar and have turned out absolutely fine!

LO’s eye contact is fine. Rationally I don’t think he’s that different to other babies, but with covid it’s been difficult to go to playgroups and have him interact with other babies. At soft play he seems to just want to do his own thing, but I suppose that isn’t that strange for this age either! He’s pretty independent I think and he just crawls away. He’s just started nursery so I’m hoping that will help!

Thanks again! I think I really needed to hear this to calm my anxiety a bit :-)

When I was worried about my son having autism I was suffering from health anxiety and googled symptoms all the time. I got really stressed. It could be worth looking up what health anxiety entails in case you are struggling with it?

Yeah this did cross my mind. Did you end up getting help with it?

No but on reflection I should have! I didn't realise that I was suffering from health anxiety until later. The older he got the less anxious I was, and I felt far better about everything when I went back to work and had something else to think about. I haven't felt remotely like that with my second baby.

I think your DS sounds like a normal active boy who is currently more interested in reaching physical milestones than socialising. My DS had reflux and glue ear and his speech was still below average at 3 but he was talking almost normally by school age (had a bit of speech therapy for a few sounds).

I would try and get out to some activities with other mums and toddlers so you can both enjoy socialising and a change of scene. When he is a bit older maybe book him in for a couple of mornings at nursery whether you are working or not to give yourself a break to go to the gym etc.