Could DD2 be autistic?

[Mollydolly]

My 14 month old DD2 has mild right hemiplegia (CP). However, I have a few concerns about her development and am now wondering if she may be autistic. Main concerns are she doesn't point at all, she doesn't seem to hold her arms out to be picked up, she doen't play with toys in any kind of structured way (she just bangs toys together a bit) doesnt attempt shape sorters or anything liek that and she doesn't seem to be able to let me know what she wants (a drink) If she wants to come out of her cot/highchair she just seems to moan and cry a bit. She isn't interested in books at all. She does do round and round the garden on my hand attempting to say the words, if I say ready, steady, she says "go" and she can say words like "shoes" and "trees" and Dada but not mummy. Not sure whether having CP puts her at increased risk of autism, or whether I am just looking for problems - to be honest I'm not sure whether I'm coming or going at the moment - it was such a fight with the GP and HV's etc to get them to take me seriously re the CP I'm reluctant to go there again. Has anyone got any advice??

Pointing is still young- it should be in place by 18 months. Is she having developmental assessments/regular checks by a paediatrician because of the CP? She's still little, but definitely worth keeping an eye. We have quite a lot of concerns about ds3 at 14 months (his eldest brother is severely autistic so he;s high risk), but now he;s 20 months we're pretty happy that he isn't- he's come on a lot in the last 6 months.

Would the CP possibly make her a bit slower at things like pointing anyway? Though as Jimjams said 14months is still early anyway. I think the round and round the garden thing sounds very good because she is copying what she has seen you do. I wouldn't worry too much for the minute just keep an eye on it.

hi all! am new 2 this. got 3 little darlings 14, 12 and r little coil dodger at 18mth!!!! All are special x unique but it's little one at top of the q at the mo.He only uses one word and does not always seem 2 understand wot been said 2 him e.g would u like a drink? h.v reffered him to dr and audiology. any thoughts comment etc? xxxx

Hi I wouldn't be too worried necessarily about autism. My DS is autistic and at 14 months loved shape sorters, played games, lifted his arms up for the first time at 5 months. The pointing is always a good place to start but it is not the physical act of pointing, it is the pointing to share your attention ie in a look look sort of way. It maybe that she finds the act of pointing difficult, sorry am a bit ignorant as to how mild right hemiplegia affects her
The ready steady go is a good sign means she understands that there is something needed to finish. With regard to moaning to get out of her highchair (as an example) this is something you can work on now, she needs to understand the power of speech so if you get her out when she moans she will soon learn to get out of the highchair you need to maon and groan! So when you go to lift her out just say "out" and get her to repeat it. I would however go back to the doc if you are concerned and probably get them to firstly check her hearing as this can affect sppech which in turn affects everything. As already said though she is still little.
HTH

Thanks for all your posts - it is great to hear your views/suggestions.

mumtoalfieandlucy - the hemiplegia affects her right arm and leg, and at the mo its mainly the fine motor skills such as pincer grip and pointing I suppose. ALthough she uses her left hand predominantly because of the CP, she may well be right handed naturally and so the pointing thing may be more difficult because of that. She has just started saying "OOOO" and "eeee" if you count one, two, three with her - sorta "One, oooo, eeeee!" IYSWIM!!