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Original poster

Autism in 11 month old

34 replies

Katiem789 · 30/11/2021 16:23

Hi All,

I'm after some advice please regarding my 11 month old DD.

She's always been one for smiling (even at strangers as we went by), laughing, going off to play with other babies etc. I would have considered her very sociable.

This week I've been a little concerned because she still doesn't respond to her name, can't say any words and she doesn't seem to be as interested in myself or husband. So after a Google search I'm a little concern about autism.

Probably best I break down the behaviours in more detail below based on some of my research;

Smiles and laughs at peekaboo etc
Makes some eye contact but less than she used too. She's more interested in TV, toys, trying to escape her playpen or watching what is going on outside the playpen. Will get an occasional glance back but relatively happy playing on her own. She was walking at 8 months and pretty steady by 10 months. She mimics relatively well i.e claps and plays her xylophone. Doesn't point or wave but we've only just started that 2 days ago. She's a great eater. Likes everything so far.

She does not respond to her name at all but turns when a voice enters the room. And so far no words. Babbling does seem to have reduced but that could be in my head. She do longer has a dummy during the day. She seems to be less interested in cuddles but will happily sit on you to watch TV.

Anyone with a similar experience?

Thanks in advance,

OP posts:
alanskisj · 30/11/2021 16:27

Nothing you have described would have concerned me about my kids at the same age. Maybe speak to a health visitor if you are concerned?

DontKnowWhatToThink7 · 30/11/2021 16:30

I agree with pp, nothing that you have said sounds concerning but you can always bring it up with your gp or health visitor

QforCucumber · 30/11/2021 16:33

Not many 11 month old say words, or listen to you when there is something much more interesting going on in the other direction.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

9-12 months old Babies & sleep Behaviour & development Families
Original poster
Katiem789 · 30/11/2021 16:34

Thank you both. I think I'm maybe after some reassurance. She will probably be due her 1 year check up after Christmas so will follow up then if I'm still worried. I read online the earlier the diagnosis the better outcome etc. She is my first so all very new for me and Google informs me not responding to their name before 12 months is an indicator for autism so I'm now worried. Thanks again for the replies.

OP posts:
mistermagpie · 30/11/2021 16:35

I think there has been a change in her behaviour more recently because you are not the most exciting thing in the world now! She's taking in her surroundings and figuring out what she wants to do next. Nothing that you have said would have given me any cause for concern at all with my kids.

Idontevenknow · 30/11/2021 16:37

I mean this in the nicest possible way, but you need to chill out.

mistermagpie · 30/11/2021 16:40

@Katiem789

Thank you both. I think I'm maybe after some reassurance. She will probably be due her 1 year check up after Christmas so will follow up then if I'm still worried. I read online the earlier the diagnosis the better outcome etc. She is my first so all very new for me and Google informs me not responding to their name before 12 months is an indicator for autism so I'm now worried. Thanks again for the replies.
Honestly, step away from google. I mean this kindly, but it will only worry you.

She might be autistic, she probably isn't. But it's really unlikely you would get any kind of diagnosis at 11 months either way. Try to enjoy her and stop worrying.

DontKnowWhatToThink7 · 30/11/2021 16:47

Yeah, try and stay away from Google. It does more harm than good.

ApplePippa · 30/11/2021 16:52

Just to reassure you OP, your DD is obviously making good social connections with people - she's mimicking, smiling at strangers, and laughing at peekaboo. My autistic child did none of those things as a baby. The not responding to name thing as an indicator for autism is not a stand-alone red flag, but part of a picture within the context of other issues.

I'm not an expert, but to me really doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about.

WaningMoon · 30/11/2021 16:56

Honestly, step away from google. I mean this kindly, but it will only worry you

She might be autistic, she probably isn't. But it's really unlikely you would get any kind of diagnosis at 11 months either way. Try to enjoy her and stop worrying

OP this is the best advice.

My son is 11 he has ASD and attends a specialist school. And at 11 months no one had a clue he had ASD. In fact he wasn’t diagnosed until he was 7. My point is that every single thing you will read about possible indicators of ASD could be seen in most babies /young children.

Step away from dr google and give your head a shake.

Original poster
Katiem789 · 30/11/2021 17:00

Thank you all for your reassurance. I'm a natural worrier (always have been) and I've been doing my best over the past few days to not let it interfere with any play time/enjoyment with her etc. And to not pass my worry and stress onto my husband. All these comments have been extremely helpful and I appreciate your time to reply. X

OP posts:
2bazookas · 30/11/2021 17:02

She sounds positively advanced compared to DS1 and Ds2, neither of whom could walk or talk at 11 m.

They all develop at their own speed . Enjoy her babyhood while you can, it passes all too fast.

FTEngineerM · 30/11/2021 17:04

The age related checks are there for a reason, just let the people qualified to check check at the appropriate time.

CraftyGin · 30/11/2021 17:07

Turn off the TV and get rid of other senseless distractions.

nitsandwormsdodger · 30/11/2021 17:09

Are you academically minded by any chance ? You seem to be v methodical and clinical ( meant kindly) You seem to have a normal bright child , please relax and enjoy her and seek professional advice in a year if there are achual symptoms of autism

Charliealphatangorara · 30/11/2021 17:11

Doesn't sound like autism and it would be very very very unlikely for a girl to get a diagnosis at a young age. Most girls don't get diagnosed until much later.

Twizbe · 30/11/2021 17:11

Step away from google.

Walking by 10 months is very early. Mine weren't even crawling until 11 months. You might find speech takes longer as babies can only really learn these skills one at a time. They say babies either walk before they talk or talk before they walk.

Twizbe · 30/11/2021 17:12

@CraftyGin

Turn off the TV and get rid of other senseless distractions.
Bit of a catty comment there
Original poster
Katiem789 · 30/11/2021 17:14

It's nice of you to say so. I often say I'm an average all rounder but have work hard. Jack of all trades, master of none lol. But yes. I have been described as methodical in the past. Very much the organiser of everything with about a years notice and it all in my head (all the the time). I feel a lot better from everyone's comments. I felt a little better before the reassurance started coming through because she waved good bye. X

OP posts:
Illequiped · 30/11/2021 17:17

After a 5-6 year assesment process we have just received an autism diagnosis for my eldest. She's 14. Unless you had some experience of autistic people or some training in it, she'd probably come off as a bit quirky, slightly odd maybe at the first few meetings.

She was very, very different to the 'norm' as a baby onwards. If she hadn't been my first I would have pushed harder earlier.

She didn't sleep. It was a battle for two years. I don't remember that time well.

She didn't smile very much at all. I have one baby photo where she smiles and I was so, so happy to have caught it, because well, a) she didn't sleep so I didn't sleep and b) lots of screaming as detailed below so I wasn't having a very good time and was trying to hold on to something positive!

She hated bathing - would scream the entire time and try and starfish to stop us putting her in the little safety bath tub. This is from the first week of birth.

She screamed a lot actually. Sometimes walking her helped (the car didn't, she'd scream until she passed out from lack of sleep, which made visiting family great).

She'd pull on the tags of her toys and groan when she was baby/toddler.

She didn't want cuddles, would fight to be free. You knew she was sick if she curled up in my lap.

There was more stuff but that's for when she was older.

Unless there's way more than you're saying, like you don't understand why she's not behaving like all the other babies you bump into (I'd never met an unchill baby before. She was so, so wired and uncontent at all times) I think perhaps you need to take some time for you to help you relax yourself.

I'm not saying my DD is the model of how autistic babies behave, just that having had further children it was obvious that she was different. I just didn't have the knowledge to recognise the possibility of neurodiversity at the time.

BeaMends · 30/11/2021 17:21

Babies are not methodical in their approach to development, and they have not read the books (or Google!). They all progress differently, and as another pp says, she's far more interested in the world around her at the moment than she is in responding to her name.

Original poster
Katiem789 · 30/11/2021 17:26

Thank you for taking the time to reply. My daughter sleeps well. Very much in a routine. We never put her down asleep and it's always at set times (day time naps vary a little). Bath every night as part of her routine which she loves. I wish I hadn't googled about her speech because it cropped up on an app and now I'm over analysing everything. I appreciate your reply. Thank you. X

OP posts:
BeefSupreme · 30/11/2021 17:27

Is there a history of autism in your family to make you even think and worry about this? Nothing in your description makes your daughter sound autistic.

Tee20x · 30/11/2021 17:30

I think if you google a lot of baby behaviour it directs you to autism. Being ignored - autism. Not saying words - autism. Flapping hands about - autism. These are all perfectly normal behaviours so I'd stay away from google and if you have concerns speak to a doctor or health visitor about them.

My DD doesn't say any words, isn't pointing but can wave, knows her name etc. I'm not concerned at all - she is due her 12 month review next week.

Original poster
Katiem789 · 30/11/2021 17:39

No history in either family. Thank you everyone. I feel much better within myself. I've been replying whilst working out so if it's a bit hectic that's why (plus it's my first post). I will definitely relax now. Thanks again. X

OP posts: