My daughters and me needs your guidance

[Vittoria123]

Hi mummies
I hope you could all give me some adduce with reference to my DD’s development. I have always found this forum full of lovely people who have their kids’ best interest at heart . I am not gonna lie , I have relied on this site in the hope finding an answer that no professional can give me at this stage but I know that , sometimes, a stranger’s perspective is what you need when you feel alone .
I have a lovely 18 months DD who’s been giving me some concerns . She has lots of positive such as : good gestures with pointing , waving , clapping , good communication ( 75 words ) good imaginative play ( feeing dolls , pretend cleaning , talking on the phone , peek a boo ) imitates everything and understands basic commands such as: “stop “ go” ,bring me the book “ she knows a couple of signs :”milk “ more “ food “ play . She is very affectionate and loves physical contact. She has been sleeping through since she was 13M and smiles at strangers . Always responds to her name and has amazing eye contact , she always brings us toys and books .
What concerns me is that : she tip toes a lot when excited or scolded ( saw a private orthopaedic who said it js idiopathic and normal until 2 ) , she , occasionally, looks at her hand ( for like 2 seconds ) , she pointed quite late ( around 15/ 16 months ) . She doesn’t really sit still during toddler groups ( she goes off doing her own thing and watching from afar but then when the toys come out she runs towards them ) .

Please let me reassure you that , should she be on the spectrum I’d love her even more , I am just concerned about the whole process and how society will treat her .
If there’s a regression what age did you notice ? Is it possible to spot signs at 18 months .With reference to tip toeing how many toddlers have had a phase of it ? Mine has been going on since she was 15 months

If you are concerned, you should speak to the HV &/or GP. You could also look at the MCHAT and Ages and Stages questionnaires. Although lots of what you post can be typical toddler development, including the tiptoe walking which many toddlers do.

Some people can see autistic traits from 18 months. Regression can happen at any age. There is a higher incidence between 1.5yrs and 3yrs.

Hi there,

First of all, it sounds like she’s hitting so many positive developmental milestones. It’s completely normal to have concerns, especially when it comes to your child’s development, and you’re certainly not alone in feeling this way.

From what you’ve described, your daughter seems to be doing really well in many areas. It's also reassuring that a specialist has looked at her tiptoeing and found it to be typical for her age. Many toddlers go through phases that can seem unusual but are actually part of typical development.

Regarding your concerns, it's understandable to be watchful, especially with things like tiptoeing or late pointing. But it’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace, and what’s considered “normal” can vary widely.

In terms of noticing signs, it’s possible to see certain behaviours early on, but a lot can change as your daughter continues to grow. If there’s ever a regression or something that feels more concerning, it’s always okay to reach out to professionals for further guidance. Personally, I would speak to a GP over a HV. In my experience, HVs have only been bothered about scoring and what is "normal" which is simply not right.

I noticed my DCs traits as early as 6 months old, but no health practitioner wanted to do anything until they was 2 years old.

We are living in a more inclusive and diverse society, and theres plenty of legislation that protects those who have a disability - visible or invisible.

As for tiptoeing, many toddlers do go through a phase where they walk on their toes, especially when they’re excited. If your orthopaedic is not concerned, that’s a good sign, but it’s great that you’re keeping an eye on it.

It’s clear that you love your daughter deeply, and no matter what, you’re going to be her biggest advocate and supporter. Try to take things one step at a time.

You’re doing an amazing job!