Hi - It's a long time since I've been on Mumsnet. I used to be on here all the time but my two are getting older now.
But today I've been asked to post on behalf of my Sister who has a 19 month old DD. She is convinced that she is autistic. For a while I have been telling my sis not to be silly - all toddlers do different things at different ages... bla bla...
But now I am also starting to wonder. I have started to do a little research into it, and there seems to be quite a few signs.
She doesn't wave, shake or nod her head.
She doesn't point.
She doesn't respond to her name often - only very occasionally.
She has never said a word, though she babbles.
If you ask her to get something, she doesn't or can't. She doesn't stack blocks.
No pretend play at all.
She does flap her hands a lot, more so when excited.
She doesn't point or know parts of her body.
She goes to playgroup which she loves. But she doesn't really play with other children or toys. She just runs around enjoying herself.
But she does smile at people (a very cute smile I must add,) and she does like cuddles. She loves other children as well.
My Sister's health visitor has refered her for speach therapy, (which is taking a while, she's already been waiting 2 months) but has fobbed her off about autism, and she feels as if no-one is listening to her.
Any advice, or other signs we should be looking at, would be most helpfull.