but worried, advise needed.

[misdee]

hi,
my first time on the special needs section of this group. u probably all know my sister mieow.
anyway, my dd2 is 11months old. when she was a wee baby several people mentioned things that worried them about her, the fact she didnt seem to respond to people, the way she didnt bend very easily to sit it her seat/buggy/highchair etc.
but she started to do all that after a while, but now she has started headbutting things, shakes her heads for ages at a time and has started high pitched screaming. i cant remember if this is normal behaviour, (dd1 was a very 'serious' baby, no trouble at all). dd2 is very hard work, i get quite stressed at times with her, but othertimes she is absolutly adorable, even with the constant head shaking.
am i just a paranoid mother, or should i speak to the doc about all this?

What are you worried about misdee? You mention that she didn't seem to respond to people. If you are worried about autism watch her for the next month or so. She should start pointing at around a year old (initially when she wants something then to show you something in reponse to a "where's the ...." question then eventually (by 18 months) to show you something of interest to her.

If it is autism you're worried about then let us know and I'll find a link for the chat test, Children should pass this by 18 months at the latest.

Things like headbutting etc can be totally normal behaviours. There isn't anything you've said that is particularyl worrying. Do you have a witchy feeling?

BTW I had a total panic attack about my ds2 at 11 months. Within a few weeks he started pointing and I was fairly sure he was fine. Now at 18 months I know he is absolutely fine!

Might be worth taking her to the doc if she's shaking her head a lot- she could have glue ear or something (I always shake my head when my ear is blocked).

misdee if you are worried go and have a chat with your HV. My HV was particually helpful when I was concerned. If she is concerned too Im sure she will refer you to the relevant people. And if shes not concerned she will put your mind at rest. But like jimjams said alot of babies head butt and shake their heads. My little boy does alot of head shaking, I think it makes him feel funny Its like when they learn a new trick they just keep doing it over and over.

she hasnt got a problem with her ears. have had them check a lot because she is always shaking her head. i think maybe its just a habit for her now. i was just a bit worried last night, since people mentioned they thought something was wrong when she was little i guess i'm always looking for signs that she is 'normal'. i'm now at the conclusion that she is just a bit odd like me. she does seem to have a problewm with food, but the docs say to wait till she is a year old and see if it settles down then, which is no help to me cos my carpets are ruined after being splatterted with sick (sorry bit nasty early in the morning) at least twice a week. she's a very vocal baby, now responds pretty much to anything, tho sometimes seems a bit ditzy like me. must have been me feeling emotional and tired last night that bought my fears out in the open.