A question for parents of Autistic children...

[flippingstupidnickname]

DS1 has Autistic traits and mild hypotonia. DS3, now 3months seems to also have mild hypotonia but I'm reassured by his smiley, happy, socially interactive nature. I'm so worried that I might one day see a regression in these skills though. How many of you have had babies that have started off being smiley and responsive only to later regress? Or do most Autistic children show these limited skills right from the outset?
My heart is breaking at the thought of having to go through all of this again...

Hi. Not really sure what to say as ime (dd1 3 years old) being smiley, can make eye contact regularly and loves cuddles is not mutually exclusive from ASD! Dd1 does all these but dx of autism 6 weeks ago :(. not total shock as dd1 failed mchat questionnaire online at 18/20 months.

However I'm doing what you're doing with my dd2! Dd1 didn't roll till 18 months (hypermobile and hypertonia too) whereas dd2 rolled few days ago at 4.5 months! Dd1 never batted an eyelid when handed to strangers, whereas dd2 can be "funny" with family let alone strangers! Don't think i'll be able to relax properly re possible autism in dd2 for while yet. But am hopeful.

flippingstupidnickname

you may find this Autism and Regression research paper collection useful

I'm afraid to sayflipping that you could never have met a more happy,responsive,engaging, smiley,contented,sociable baby/child than ds and he was dx with Aspergers a year ago. The only thing looking back was he didnt speak until he was 3 but that was it. He is now 11 and symptoms didnt appear until about 8. Sorry to be negative !