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Original poster

9 month old not responding to his name

9 replies

Mo646 · 15/06/2023 15:33

I have recently noticed that my ds doesn’t respond to his name and I am concerned after reading that it is an early indicator of autism.

He is 9 months old and has been doing great with the majority of his milestones, crawling, getting himself into sitting position, pulling himself up on furniture etc…. He is also pretty sociable, he laughs and smiles a lot and loves to play with his toys. However, the majority of the time he barely even flinches when I call his name, he sometimes looks in my direction but it’s more common that he doesn’t. I’ve also noticed that he isn’t imitating me or babbling much at all, he’s more likely to babble when he’s playing by himself but only stick to the same “bababa” sound and like I said it still doesn’t happen very often. Should I be concerned? Or does the seem quite normal 🥴

OP posts:
Rakszasa · 15/06/2023 15:37

Try not to worry, all babies develop in their own pace. My baby just turned one, and I noticed just a couple of weeks ago, that he started reacting when I'm using his name. Before it was hit and miss.
Maybe worth to contact your HV, they will put your mind at ease.

Fattygettingthinner · 15/06/2023 15:40

Does he react to other noises op?

TalkingInTheKitchen · 15/06/2023 15:42

My baby has just turned 10 months and has only started responding to her name in the past week or so. They all develop differently but if you are worried have a word with your health visitor.

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TeddyBeans · 15/06/2023 15:42

Ask your HV or GP to refer you for auditory testing first of all, he might have glue ear or something like that. DS didn't start talking properly until he was 2y 5m old when he started nursery so it seems pretty normal to me

Original poster
Mo646 · 15/06/2023 15:43

Yes. He actually loves when I spell his name out for him, really cracks him up. He usually reacts to noises with a smile or a laugh but just doesn’t respond to his name and doesn’t imitate noises or anything else

OP posts:
MumofHennHals · 16/02/2025 08:19

Hi @Mo646 how is your little one doing now? I'm in the exact same position with my 9 month old x

BellaNutella88 · 16/02/2025 11:43

my DS didn’t meet any of his milestones except walking. Didn’t real react to his name, didn’t babble (whined), didn’t talk til well over 2. Meltdowns galore once he was a toddler and very hard work. I always wondered and spent a lot of time agonising over signs of autism. Nothing could be done at that age anyway except me worrying. He is now an amazing 5yo who talks far too much and is very funny and happy. I still suspect there may be something going on (adhd) but he’s absolutely fine.

you’ll have a 9-12 month review soon with your HV and will go through all the milestones etc. I’ve just had my letter for my 9mo and booked for when she’s nearly one. If you haven’t heard get in touch with your HV team. They’ll guide you.

but even if there is some kind of neuro divergence, they wouldn’t diagnose for a while yet and milestones vary so widely for children. So try not to worry, hard I know ! And as others have mentioned consider checking hearing incase it’s that. Take care x

Natalierosexox · 25/06/2025 14:40

Mo646 · 15/06/2023 15:33

I have recently noticed that my ds doesn’t respond to his name and I am concerned after reading that it is an early indicator of autism.

He is 9 months old and has been doing great with the majority of his milestones, crawling, getting himself into sitting position, pulling himself up on furniture etc…. He is also pretty sociable, he laughs and smiles a lot and loves to play with his toys. However, the majority of the time he barely even flinches when I call his name, he sometimes looks in my direction but it’s more common that he doesn’t. I’ve also noticed that he isn’t imitating me or babbling much at all, he’s more likely to babble when he’s playing by himself but only stick to the same “bababa” sound and like I said it still doesn’t happen very often. Should I be concerned? Or does the seem quite normal 🥴

I know this is a super old post but what was the outcome ? X

Natalierosexox · 25/06/2025 14:41

MumofHennHals · 16/02/2025 08:19

Hi @Mo646 how is your little one doing now? I'm in the exact same position with my 9 month old x

Any update I’m in the same position? X

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