Autism in 11 month old

[Katiem789]

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,

Sounds like you’ve fallen down a google rabbit hole. Most 11 month olds can’t say words, and there’s usually something a lot more interesting than parents to distract them.

It doesn’t sound like anything to worry about. Babies develop and reach milestones at different times - she walked early, so perhaps the language will come slightly later. 11 months seems a bit early for many proper words, if she’s babbling the words will come.

Autism has many faces and is a broad spectrum, and for good reason isn’t diagnosed typically until after 3-4 (although those of us with kids on the spectrum can see the signs earlier with hindsight!).

She honestly sounds completely normal

Sorry, that was very clumsily phrased - I don't mean to suggest autistic children aren't normal. What I mean is she sounds like she's meeting the expected milestones of a neurotypical child. I don't think you have any reason to be concerned.

It might be autism it might not. Make note of your concerns. Tell the hv and make sure she records them in her notes. If there are more symptoms you need a papertrail of evidence to get a referral. Keep an eye on things but try not to let it consume you or overshadow your time with your dd. My ds has asd and hes absolutely wonderful, and frankly easier to deal with than his NT sister.

11 months old is definitely far too early to be thinking ''autism'' just yet.

My 3 year old daughter had an initial assessment at our local hospital last week. No official diagnosis just yet, but the observing doctor strongly suspects autism.

She has very little speech, has little interest in other children, rarely responds to her own name, has never pointed, has known to get down on all fours and headbutt the floor/door/wall out of frustration/upset.

I wasn't terribly concerned for her prior to 18 months old. But between 18-24 months old and speech still wasn't forthcoming was when I started to panic a bit. She is also my first.

I wouldn't worry just yet OP.

I could have written a very similar post, OP when my first baby was that age. He was slow compared with other babies to reach a lot of social milestones and didn’t do things by the textbook (responding to his name etc).

Googling stuff does quickly lead you down a rabbit hole to signs of autism. I think there are a lot of clickbaity websites that capitalise on parents fears!

Anyway, DS is 7 now and absolutely fine. I wish I could go back in time and give me head a wobble, but I will give yours a wobble instead!

Hi @Katiem789 hows your little one now?

A few weeks after I posted this she said her first word "juice". And not long after the words started coming thick and fast. I realised a few months after that post I was worrying over nothing.

She's now 3.5 years old and as far as I'm aware progressing at nursery as expected for her age. She loves cuddles, is very chatty (struggles with the letter 'L' but improving), likes playing with other kids and adults, has absolutely no problem with eye contact because she puts her face on yours and stares you down until you laugh etc. So no concerns whatsoever.