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Original poster

10 month old showing signs of autism

44 replies

samybooker · 16/07/2023 08:17

Iknow every baby grows and develops in their own time but I have worries about my little one. She is my first baby, she is 10 months old ( just turned ) she was not premature and her hearing has been tested and is perfect.
she is very dinky only weighing 16lbs, I am also petite so doctors think she has got that from me. she is very behind … she doesn’t crawl yet, she doesn’t pull herself up on anything, all she is interested in is playing with her toys. She doesn’t answer her name very often especially when playing with toys..
she flaps her little hands from time to time and also rocks! She is still stuck on puree food as she doesn’t like texture or lumps, but will eat crisps or anything with a crunch. She doesn’t clap or point or hand me toys. She is happy just doing her own little thing until she is fed up she will look for me and moan for me to get her. The only things she does is sit up and play with the her toys, rolls over, babbles ( been saying mama/dada since 4 months ) however sometimes it’s random gibberish. She enjoys peek a boo, she will give me eye contact and she does smile back at me or when she see’s my face. She gets excited to see me in the mornings or after naps or even just getting her out of the car. She has started to slightly put her arms up to me when I reach out for her, she does watch me when I leave the room most times ( unless she is playing with toys ), she does respond to sounds and will look for a sound or toy that has been placed behind her..
she sleeps okay, around 9 hours no interruption and then has a little feed then back to sleep for a hour or 2. I guess what am looking for is someone who is dealing with the same or who has dealt with similar. I have already had her assessed by an occupational therapist and they said she is behind so they are getting me some support and intervention to help her physically start crawling and being mobile. My HV is aware of my concerns and so is my doctor. She has already seen a paediatrician also Who didn’t have any worries, so I am very confused. I look at other babies who get upset when their parents leave the room or upset when strangers pick them up e.t.c and that is not my little girl.
she is placid and will go to anyone. She does give them funny looks sometimes but that’s about it. I just feel there is something different with her ( even though I have nothing to compare her to with her being my first ) but I can see other babies her age and she is just not where they are at all physically or emotionally.

OP posts:
3isthemagicnumberrr · 16/07/2023 08:23

I have a 10 month old. None of the things you mention would concern me. Honestly, this sounds normal!

Tryingtoconceivenumber2 · 16/07/2023 08:27

Hey I just wanted to say that our daughter was similar. 17lbs at 12 months, didn't start crawling until 9.5 months, pulled to stand around 11 months but was also saying mamma at 5 months. She didn't walk until 14 months but could say a lot of words by then and could count to 10 by 18 months. I think she was slower with the physical things as she was smaller and had less physical strength than other babies.

She's never been very physical mainly I feel because she has always focused on other things mainly speech. Might be the same for your little one.

She's 3 now and physically doing the same as all the others in her class as far as I can see and I'm 99% sure no sign of ASD. It is really hard when you can see all the other babies crawling and you are wondering why yours hasn't done it yet x

ArthurPoppy · 16/07/2023 08:35

It’s too early, you could spend all your time checking her for symptoms of different diagnosis but it’s all speculative and a waste of mental energy. Enjoy your baby, they are all individuals and areas for additional help can be identified at the right time.

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LadyWithLapdog · 16/07/2023 08:35

When did the paediatrician see her, and will they follow up? Do you feel there’s any regression, or just slower on some things than others? Her development sounds quite age-appropriate to me for most of what you describe.

Dammitthisisshit · 16/07/2023 08:36

I have a little experience though not with my own. I am not a professional. A family member is autistic and she always seemed to be at a different stage of development. That said a lot if what you describe is typical for any baby and if she’s holding eye contact that’s different to my family member who always avoided it.

But I think if you’re noticing things you’re likely to be right. I guess the question is what would you do differently now if she either is or isn’t autistic. You’re unlikely to get a diagnosis for years, professionals are often reluctant to diagnose before 5 and even then it can take a long time (in the case I know they were diagnosed earlier though are non verbal so it became more obvious as time went on).

She sounds like a lovely little girl and you’re doing the right thing flagging it early so that if she does need intervention shes in the system. She sounds like she has a lovely loving mum and will get to wherever she’s going in her own time.

Original poster
samybooker · 16/07/2023 08:36

The main concern I have is the fact she doesn’t respond to her name ( only sometimes she will ) but a lot of the times she doesn’t, especially when she is playing with toys or the tv is on ( I don’t have it on often ). Thanks for your response.

OP posts:
Original poster
samybooker · 16/07/2023 08:37

Thank you for your reply I am glad your little one is caught up and doing better now!

OP posts:
LobsterCrab · 16/07/2023 08:37

10 months is very young OP, the paediatrician has said they're not concerned so just keep an eye on how she develops over the next few months and try not to worry.

SouthCountryGirl · 16/07/2023 08:38

samybooker · 16/07/2023 08:36

The main concern I have is the fact she doesn’t respond to her name ( only sometimes she will ) but a lot of the times she doesn’t, especially when she is playing with toys or the tv is on ( I don’t have it on often ). Thanks for your response.

Presumably her hearing has been checked?

Original poster
samybooker · 16/07/2023 08:40

ArthurPoppy · 16/07/2023 08:35

It’s too early, you could spend all your time checking her for symptoms of different diagnosis but it’s all speculative and a waste of mental energy. Enjoy your baby, they are all individuals and areas for additional help can be identified at the right time.

Hey thanks for your comment. Iknow she is super young but I just think if there is anything an earlier diagnosis is key for her future. I don’t let this consume me I really don’t. I worry in my own time, all my energy go’s into love for my little girl. Not a moment go’s by that I waste with her. But it is usually at the night times when I go to bed I worry and think .. so thought I would seek some advice since I am a military wife and where we are based I have 0 family or friends to speak to. She is a wonderful little girl just seems very different to other babies her age, thank you for your response!

OP posts:
Theduchy · 16/07/2023 08:41

That all sounds completely normal OP. I have a 10 month old too. If you Google something enough you'll find something to be concerned about.

christmascalypso · 16/07/2023 08:43

samybooker · 16/07/2023 08:36

The main concern I have is the fact she doesn’t respond to her name ( only sometimes she will ) but a lot of the times she doesn’t, especially when she is playing with toys or the tv is on ( I don’t have it on often ). Thanks for your response.

It's normal for a 10 month old not to respond when they engrossed in playing with their toys or watching something. It's called single channelled attention and is quite normal and she is very young. However you could ask your GP to refer for a hearing test if you are concerned to rule out any issues.

Soontobe60 · 16/07/2023 08:45

She sound exactly like my DDs at that age. My youngest DD didn’t start walking until she was 15months old!
you’re worrying needlessly.

howdoyoulikethemweeds · 16/07/2023 08:47

A 10 month old not crawling or pulling to stand is not very behind?! A 10 month old not sitting is behind. I’m very surprised an occupational therapist would say that to you and further feed your anxiety. She sounds like a completely normal baby to me, they all develop at their own pace and some of the things you list like pointing are not typical in a 10 month old anyway.

Please listen to your doctor. I got very anxious when my daughter was around 8 months because I thought she wasn’t babbling properly. I was convinced she had autism and wasn’t behaving normally. I went through all sorts of worst case scenarios in my head. What helped me was getting some sleep and realising that if she did have autism I couldn’t change it, and that she and I would be fine. If you are a loving engaged parent (which it sounds like you are) then your daughter will be happy and loved and given the best possible start to life anyway.

atthebottomofthehill · 16/07/2023 08:47

Could be something, could be nothing. It's just too early to say basically

FannyFifer · 16/07/2023 08:48

All of what you have written seems pretty normal to me. My DS didn't really crawl or move till around 12 months, I cld put him down on the floor & he wouldn't move anywhere.
Not responding when otherwise engaged, playing, watching TV is totally normal.
He also didn't really like other children & was just happy playing away himself. Did baby babbling for a long time ,late to speak. Has grown up with zero issues though still doesn't respond if I call his name, teenagers!

There's so much variation, my DD was walking around 10 months, and could have full conversations, not that long after that, she totally skipped the crawling and baby babbling. Has grown up pretty average though after her genius start.Grin

Try not to worry and enjoy your wee one, she sounds great to me.

gogomoto · 16/07/2023 08:52

I have an autistic dd and at 10 months she wasn't like your dd if it helps.

She was the opposite of placid, only noise was screaming (no babbling or mama until past 3 years old) she mostly threw it tried to break toys., she was extremely capable physically running by 10 months and climbing up bookcases!

Honestly, try not to worry! Yes my dd is autistic but actually she's ok, she's one of the more fortunate ones and is at university

Original poster
samybooker · 16/07/2023 08:52

LadyWithLapdog · 16/07/2023 08:35

When did the paediatrician see her, and will they follow up? Do you feel there’s any regression, or just slower on some things than others? Her development sounds quite age-appropriate to me for most of what you describe.

He saw her around 4 weeks ago. I wouldn't say any regression however she doesn't say mama and dada as much. She does still babble but it's not a lot. I would say she has just been super slow at coming on and it's taken a lot of effort and time to help her get to these places such as sitting and rolling.
My main concern is lack of response to name, struggling to wean, hand flapping/rocking.

OP posts:
EmmaGrundyForPM · 16/07/2023 08:53

She sounds like my DS1. He didn't crawl until 13 months, didn't walk until 18 months. Very focused on his toys so would zone out and not hear me. Very happy to be picked up by anyone at that age.

He's now 26 and absolutely fine.

gogomoto · 16/07/2023 08:54

By the way my other dd was barely eating food at 1, really wasn't keen. She's a typical young adult now, actually she better than typical, too outing but she's pretty exceptional despite being lack of early food!

Original poster
samybooker · 16/07/2023 08:56

Dammitthisisshit · 16/07/2023 08:36

I have a little experience though not with my own. I am not a professional. A family member is autistic and she always seemed to be at a different stage of development. That said a lot if what you describe is typical for any baby and if she’s holding eye contact that’s different to my family member who always avoided it.

But I think if you’re noticing things you’re likely to be right. I guess the question is what would you do differently now if she either is or isn’t autistic. You’re unlikely to get a diagnosis for years, professionals are often reluctant to diagnose before 5 and even then it can take a long time (in the case I know they were diagnosed earlier though are non verbal so it became more obvious as time went on).

She sounds like a lovely little girl and you’re doing the right thing flagging it early so that if she does need intervention shes in the system. She sounds like she has a lovely loving mum and will get to wherever she’s going in her own time.

Thank you for your response. She is verbal and does babble but it's not often just a couple times a day. It's the lack of response to her name that bothers me, she seems more interested in her toys then me. Weaning her is a nightmare lol, she will not accept texture. She is a wonderful little girl and I will love her endlessly regardless of her struggles. Iknow she is very young and would not get a diagnosis for years but I am mainly here for abit of support and reassurance, thank you!

OP posts:
Thelastofbus · 16/07/2023 08:57

My second was like this. She was much smaller than her older sister at the same
age. She never crawled! Didn’t really like any solid food until she was 12 months. She was always very slow to respond to her name. Spoke much later than her older sister too. Even as a toddler she didn’t really interact with other children at the playgroups we went to. I was a little worried for her. But now she is in reception she has completely caught up with her peers, and I have no concerns.

Original poster
samybooker · 16/07/2023 09:04

howdoyoulikethemweeds · 16/07/2023 08:47

A 10 month old not crawling or pulling to stand is not very behind?! A 10 month old not sitting is behind. I’m very surprised an occupational therapist would say that to you and further feed your anxiety. She sounds like a completely normal baby to me, they all develop at their own pace and some of the things you list like pointing are not typical in a 10 month old anyway.

Please listen to your doctor. I got very anxious when my daughter was around 8 months because I thought she wasn’t babbling properly. I was convinced she had autism and wasn’t behaving normally. I went through all sorts of worst case scenarios in my head. What helped me was getting some sleep and realising that if she did have autism I couldn’t change it, and that she and I would be fine. If you are a loving engaged parent (which it sounds like you are) then your daughter will be happy and loved and given the best possible start to life anyway.

100%. Yeah to be honest I had my worries but when I went to the appointment with the occupational therapist but also just assumed Bonnie was a little behind due to her being so dinky and being induced and coming out when she wasn't ready.
However after my conversation with her I have felt so much more worry..
she said '' she is really behind and we are concerned ''
Anyway I just want people to know on this thread that even though I do worry, please don't think that is consuming me as a mum because it really isn't. I spend every second of my day with my little girl and doing whatever I can to make her happy. She is a wonderful little girl and I would love regardless of any extra needs she might have. I am a support worker and work with people with all sorts. I am mostly worried about how she doesn't respond to her name. Thanks!

OP posts:
Samanabanana · 16/07/2023 09:19

Honestly she sounds absolutely normal.

Namechangenoidea · 16/07/2023 09:42

She’s absolutely fine. You need to get help
for anxiety- I ended up needing help as I had the same worries with my little one. If you look for signs for autism you will find them as she is only 10 months old! All 10 month olds would be classified as having autism if you did an autism diagnostic test on them as the test is designed for much later! If you carrying on looking for signs you will find them you need to find a way to stop.