Regressive autism

[vasesandducks]

Hi - I know I'll be told that you can worry about things that haven't happened (borrow trouble ahead of time) but can anyone advise what sort of age regressive autism shows itself?

I've given myself a weird thing to worry about. My son was born very small (off the bottom of the charts), then wasn't well and needed an op/no feeding. By the time he was 6 weeks he was still weeny. He went through a rapid growth and with it his head circumference grew from low on the charts to high. He was checked (obligatory when head circumference crosses two percentiles I think) and all fine even though his head is bigger than him, for sure. My husband has a big head - my nephew has a very big head. I assumed it was constitutional.

He's now 21 months and doing really well. He's met all his milestones, he's very chatty and learning more words every day - he's very engaging/engaged. He's good with other children (as far as they are at this age) etc. I have no concerns about him/

BUT i did read a news piece that said there were links with boys with early rapid head growth. It was only a study of 100 kids and only 50 were studied for regressive autism.

So now I feel really concerned. Like I'm watching him. I'm sure this says more about me than him/it, but should I be worried? Should I read anything into this?

BTW, I do really enjoy my son and marvel at him every day. This is just something that bothers me - and makes me fret about what might come.

My DD regressed at 2.10..BUT there were signs there before that, she wasn't 'chatty' or engaged and was more interested in objects than people.

It's much more common to regress at. 15-18 months too.

I really wouldn't worry.

Hello, I also would not worry either. easier said than done I know!! He sounds like he is doing fantastically well, and often some signs are there before regression. I think that every parent often has an autism worry at some point in their child's life even more so when they have a tough start to life.

With regards to the head growth, I would see this as positive. Head growth is an indicator of brain growth, so the fact that your son had all round good 'catch up growth' after his tiny start, is brilliant and should be more reassuring to you than had his head stayed small.

Enjoy your little one xx

Ds2 regressed at 18 months.
He didn't have rapid head growth.

Tbh - and i say this kindly- without any other signs or symptoms, any other reason to worry, you should stop fretting because it is a massive waste of everyone's energy.

I would not worry. your DS sounds fine.

I also heard about this research and as far as I understand it, rapid head growth seems to be linked to ASD but nevertheless, most children with big heads/rapid head growth will not develop autism.

just enjoy your boy :)

DS regressed at 2.3. His head has always been a typical size. There were not any obvious signs before 2 but looking back now I would say he was a bit too happy to be on his own, a bit too easy to look after. Around 2 he started learning his alphabet and numbers instead of more social activities.

Hi