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Parenting

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Should I be concerned re Autism? 19 month old lack of pointing

7 replies

Hellomoto1234 · 21/09/2023 21:24

Hi there - I have a beautiful 19 month old girl who I have a few concerns about. I have a Paediatric appointment upcoming but wondering what others thought. My main concerns regarding her is her limited pointing, eye contact and shyness.

With the pointing - she will occasionally point to ask for something like a cup of water or something she wants and very rarely has pointed to something that interests her but that is very rare. She also does give eye contact when she is playing with me or listening to me but other than that she doesn’t give sustained eye contact or as much as what other children do. Also getting her to look at the camera or smile when asking her is difficult - however if she’s relaxed and playing she will laugh and smile with me. She also cries and is terrified of strangers or unfamiliar people and refuses to look at them.
However, she loves other children, will follow them around and watch what that are doing, and plays alongside them. She has 70+ words including verbs and nouns and will give me simple commands verbally e.g.uppy for wanting to be lifted, asks for food by saying and signing ‘more’ tells me when she’s ‘all done’ or stuck etc. She plays peek a boo spontaneously, runs and ‘hides’ and loves to play with me. She gives kisses more recently, and especially loves to give herself kisses in the mirror. She has lots of gestures. She copies words and learns words easily - she will point out things I ask her in books. She also copies actions and songs easily and quickly. She responds to her name. She eats and sleeps well. Her motor skills were delayed but she has caught up now able to walk and run and attempts to jump. I don’t notice any real sensory issues. She does twirl her ankles when she’s relaxed and occasionally shakes her head and twirl her wrists when excited.

I know no one can give me definite answers on this but just wondering if anyone has any experience on this. She seems to be developing well in most areas but is the lack of pointing and less eye contact than some other children really concerning? Just wondering if there was any advice out there?

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Hellomoto1234 · 21/09/2023 22:24

Bump

OP posts:
Hellomoto1234 · 22/09/2023 08:43

Anyone?

OP posts:
Crunchingleaf · 22/09/2023 09:11

Is there any reason in particular why you are concerned about autism. Is there a family history that is making you worry.
None if us can say for sure, however one or two little things are generally not a problem. There is never any harm in asking at her next check up or appointment though.

Toddlers are always going through little phases and shyness is a phase many go though. It doesn’t necessarily mean that down the line she will be diagnosed as ND.

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Rachelblueson · 22/09/2023 09:47

From what you've written it doesn't sound like ASD to me personally from someone who works with children with ASD but it's very difficult to know without a proper assessment.
My advice would be to stop stressing if she has ASD or not at the moment and focus on enjoying her and supporting her development. If she does have ASD then it's good it'll be picked up early and she'll have support available to her. Having ASD just means she might process things differently and need help in some areas

Hellomoto1234 · 22/09/2023 09:49

No there’s no family history it’s just I stupidly googled a few milestones to see if she was on track especially due to the fact she walked later and it mentioned pointing etc at 18 months - which I kept watching for but it hasn’t really developed, and I’ve noticed other children do it a lot. Then ended up in a minefield of information re autism and pointing and now I think I over analyse her. Hence the post.
I will definitely be asking at her next appointment.

OP posts:
Hellomoto1234 · 22/09/2023 09:52

I agree I have definitely worried myself about her and I just want her to to have help and support if she needs it! But reassuring that to someone with experience you wouldn’t be too concerned!

OP posts:
Claire123e · 01/10/2024 19:25

Hellomoto1234 · 22/09/2023 09:49

No there’s no family history it’s just I stupidly googled a few milestones to see if she was on track especially due to the fact she walked later and it mentioned pointing etc at 18 months - which I kept watching for but it hasn’t really developed, and I’ve noticed other children do it a lot. Then ended up in a minefield of information re autism and pointing and now I think I over analyse her. Hence the post.
I will definitely be asking at her next appointment.

Hi how’s your daughter doing now ? ☺️

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