Signs of autism in 10 month old?

[Anxiousmum94]

I am convinced my little girl is autistic and can’t stop worrying about her future… she’s only 10 months old so think I sound a bit crazy when I share my concerns but she has so many red flags and barely scored anything on the ages and stages questionnaire (is delayed in all areas)

-She doesn’t respond to her name at all
-Very poor eye contact and difficult to get her attention at all
-No mimicking/ joint attention
-No babbling (occasionally makes some vowel sounds and squealing/ shouting/ raspberries) also doesn’t show any understanding of language
-No gestures e.g clapping, waving despite attempts to teach her
-Didn’t sit up at all until 9 months and is still not a steady sitter now, leans slightly to one side when in a high chair or pram that isn’t really supportive
-Doesn’t like being held really (except can calm her down sometimes if I hold her while walking around)
-Little interest in toys except things that spin or puts toys in her mouth, doesn’t pass objects between hands or hold 2 objects at once
-No separation anxiety/ lack of affection- don’t think she knows who I am
-Very fussy with food and seems to dislike certain textures/ lots of gagging and choking even on water

Things she can do:
-Started wobbly sitting at 9 months and can now get herself into sitting position but still can be a bit wobbly
-Started crawling at 9 1/2 months
-Smiling/ giggling since around 3 months, smiles when you bounce her up and down, tickle her, play peek a boo but doesn’t copy facial expressions or smile at me when I’ve been at work all day and say hi for example, recently started smiling in the mirror
-Can reach and grab objects (since 5 months) and holds her own bottle well since 9 months, can feed herself with a spoon if preloaded

She was also a very colicky baby who cried all the time she was awake for the first few months, ruled out allergies etc and tried reflux meds but nothing helped. Still has reflux which upsets her and still cries a lot if I don’t let her watch/ listen to nursery rhymes (which makes me feel bad but it’s often the only way to keep her happy, she’s not interested in playing with me really)

I have been expressing my concerns with her development as well as colic/ reflux since she was a couple of months old. At first I thought I was probably just anxious and keep getting told all babies are different but she does seem really behind and everything points to autism. My mum also has Aspergers and I received a diagnosis of dyspraxia aged 18 and believe I have ADHD, husband thinks he’s dyslexic but not diagnosed so family history of neurodiversity is there.

We were seen by the child development centre when she was 8 months and their main concern was her not sitting then and she was referred for physio/ occupational therapy. Said too early for SALT but I’ve been chasing them up about the lack of babbling.

I know she won’t be diagnosed yet but what are peoples thoughts? Am I crazy? Has anyone had a child with multiple red flags that’s turned out to be nothing? Do all these issues mean she’s likely to be severely autistic/ non verbal? I’m just so worried about her…

Thanks to anyone who has read my essay

Is she in nursery full time? What’s the nursery like?

My ds was very similar to this. He is now 13 and diagnosed autistic. But very high functioning, at mainstream school, copes well most of the time. These signs could be absolutely nothing to worry about though. Try not to worry, just keep encouraging development x

My nephew was diagnosed at 2.5. He is non-verbal. It was obvious at his 18 month check that something wasn’t right as he hadn’t progressed from his 12 month check. He has ARFID but can’t be formally diagnosed with that at this age.

Now my sister looks back on issues he has had since being very small. Weaning was very difficult. When he learned to stand he stood on his top toes. He was stimming (but she didn’t know at the time).

My daughter has just been diagnosed with ADHD at nearly 13 and I’m going through assessment at 45. Our trouble sleeping as babies and toddlers (and beyond) is a feature but not something any of us would have pointed at as neurodiversity.

10 months is far too early to suspect, never mind determine anything. You stressing won’t help anyone. Be prepared if things don’t resolve but try to relax about it.

No I’ve only just returned to work last week and my husband now has her Monday- Thursday and my mother in law has her on Fridays. Husband works weekends Friday-Sunday. I’m going down to 4 days from September. We planned for her to start nursery when she is 2 and we can get some funded hours x

I knew my son was autistic young. Probably at a year and a half. He was diagnosed at 2.

He was a beautiful smiley baby but no copying, very peaceful. Didn't respond to name. In his own world.

Thanks, think I’m at a point where I feel like I know she is autistic but I’m worried about how severely she will be affected. My main worry is she won’t be happy and won’t ever talk and show me affection. She’s been such an unhappy baby and at first I hoped once the reflux got better that she’d be fine, but now with all the worries about her development I worry everything will always be a massive battle.

At what age was your son diagnosed? Did he also babble late/ not at all and when did he start talking? Is he happy?

If you're asking me?

My son is the happiest child I know, he radiates joy. Incidentally my son is incredibly tactile and affectionate.

But he is non verbal at 4.5, has significant sensory issues and very fixed interests. He is significantly delayed developmentally. Have no idea what the future holds for him but I always prioritise his happiness rather than pushing him to hit milestones which causes his stress.

That is absolutely the key. My nephew is an absolute joy. He’s not like other children, and comparison would be completely unfair. They are individuals experiencing the world in their way. Precious little people. 💕

Thanks, I really hope I’m wrong but my gut is telling me there’s something wrong. If it was just a couple of the things I’ve listed I’d be maybe a little concerned but there seems to be a lot of red flags. I didn’t start talking until 2 myself but my mum said she was never really concerned because I showed good understanding. I’m hoping whatever the outcome she’ll be happy and I’ll get her the support she needs. I know I should try not to worry but easier said than done!

I knew my son had autism from being a tiny baby. He was different, gorgeous and loveable but different.

He was diagnosed at 4.5. He’s not nearly 10 and I’m going through my own diagnosis for asd.

He didn’t learn to talk until he was 2 but then it came thick and fast. He’s main difficulties are still social/ communication and sensory but he’s doing really well.

Well it's natural to worry... But also you can't do anything. It's her brain. I would read books on autism. Clue yourself up. And prepare yourself that the support is dire. You will mostly be on your own. Sorry to sound doom and gloom. If there are any play groups for children with additional needs, go and meet those mums. Other sen mums have been invaluable to me. Worth 100 "professionals"

That’s so good to hear :) I would much rather her be happy than high functioning and really unhappy.

I work in a school and have worked with children with autism: one was high functioning but with serious mental health issues/ suicidal at 10 years old and I also know of non verbal children who head bang and seem really frustrated. I’ve also worked with children with autism and other SEND who are the happiest children so I really hope she’s like that regardless of how high functioning she is (if it does turn out to be autism). She’s just been a really unhappy baby but had got better!

Just to say... No one is diagnosed with functioning labels anymore. They aren't used.

I don't describe my son as low functioning I say he is autistic with high support needs. It's not that simple that children are low or high. The spectrum isn't a linear line of low to high, some children who are highly verbal have profound anxiety and sensory overload, some children who are non verbal have lower anxiety... It's all very complex. And it can change throughout childhood as the demands change.

I worked in childcare for 15 years before having my own children. Plus degree level childcare qualification. Was convinced my third child was autistic as a baby/toddler, she ticked so many boxes. She was just a very late developer and now is a completely “normal” 9 year old who just happens to be a bit quirky and isn’t very sociable.

How is he doing now? Is he happy?

Thanks, did you have her assessed at any point? Glad she’s doing well now 😊

Thanks, any recommendations for books that offer ideas for babies/ young toddlers who show signs of autism?

I know I feel like everything has been a fight so far and nothing has helped. Like her reflux issues I’ve been trying to resolve and now my concerns about her development. We had a physio appointment who just told me to basically carry on what I was doing. Then occupational therapist cancelled an hour before she was due at our house! Said she doesn’t think she needs it because she could sit for a few seconds at physio appointment. I explained my other concerns and she said she’ll get SALT to ring, keep ringing while I’m at work. I feel like I keep chasing these things to get early intervention but nothing is helping and it’s just stressing me.

She will be reviewed by the development centre in about 4 months so at least they’ll keep seeing her until we either get a diagnosis or she improves and no longer a concern

I’ll definitely look into SEN groups we could go to when she either gets a diagnosis or it’s even more obvious there’s a problem, not sure if mums there would think I’m just anxious and shouldn’t be there at the minute

10 months is really much to young to be thinking about autism. If she still looks like that at 18 months then you might be concerned.

My dd was not v social at 10 months but is now 15yrs old and definitely not autistic.

Glad he’s doing well, did he babble late as well?

Thanks, when you say not very social, did you have as many red flags as what I’m experiencing? Like no social communication skills at all as well as delayed motor skills? I know it’s young but there seems to be so much point to that I don’t see how it can be nothing.

How much socialising have you done with him?

my sister thought my nephew’s issues were due to being a lockdown baby and not being able to socialise with other babies.

(there really is no point winding yourself up about this)

I don’t have any experience with Autism. However I just wanted to say that babies change so much, and she is still really young.

My DS was not at all affectionate, didn’t like being cuddled (only liked being carried around) at that age. He didn’t have much separation anxiety and didn’t seem that fussed about me or DH.

He became much more cuddly and affectionate (and clingy) at about 18 months and now he’s a really cuddly 2 year old.

It’s good that you’re exploring all the support you can get, just try not to worry too much and try to enjoy each stage as it comes.

I assume you've had her hearing checked?

She had her hearing checked at birth and was fine and I have been referred for it checking again but on a waiting list and don’t know how long that will take. I’m sure she can hear though, she responds to nursery rhymes even when she can’t see a screen and white noise helps her sleep, she wakes up when we cough/ sneeze and startles at loud noises sometimes

It is very early to be worrying about ASD, even if she has it she will not be diagnosed for years.
I worried so much about my first DS, no social smiling, very unhappy, cried a lot I was convinced he was autistic having worked with autistic children for years. This lead to me having bad PNA

I luckily had CBT therapy which really helped me and I realised I was catastrophising the future and not enjoying the child I had.

By 12 months he became much happier and easier to manage as he could walk and started expressing his needs. He is now 4 and neuro typical. He is happy, bright and social.

I know look back and kick myself for wasting so much of his early life worrying myself sick and not enjoying the time we had together.

You don't know at this stage what the future holds, enjoy your daughter and keep an open mind. Worrying will not change the future or improve your situation