Is my child autistic?

[SianB]

I am new here and I am not asking for a diagnosis, just some views.
My son is almost 1 and I have been concerned for a while that he might be autistic -

he has trouble maintaining eye contact
he doesn't say very much, no words just very occasionally a bit of babbling (mamama, da and bababa)
he doesn't crawl or cruise yet
he arches his back all the time
he doesn't do anything with toys, just mouths them
he doesn't seem to understand any words
he doesn't like me to pass anything to him - I have to put it in front of him for him to pick up himself. If I touch his hand with something he pulls his hand away - a bit odd

Some days I think he is fine, others definitely not. I've read about pointing and he has started doing that this week. He pointed at a dog in the park yesterday. He also pointed at his cup yesterday, I passed it to him and he had a drink. He has no idea who Mummy and Daddy are . Should I try and chill about this? I'm stressing because I am going back to work soon and he will be in a lovely nursery, but if there is a problem, I don't want to 'run away' from it or pass it on to someone else.

SianB, I'm certainly no expert, but if your son is pointing, copying etc then he doesn't sound in the least bit autistic. Not crawling at one isn't unusual, I'm sure, and one is early for talking. And if he bounces when you say bounce, then he does understand words! My ds walks on tiptoes sometimes, but then I suspect he may have a kind of dyspraxia - he's noticeably clumsy, never crawled, finds going down even tiny steps unaided nearly impossible, still puts stuff in his mouth, can't jump, and all sorts. But he's not autistic. He's very communicative and, I think, very bright. He's also doesn't seem to have sensory issues in that he loves the feel of walking barefoot on grass or on sand, likes feeling textures, but he does dislike loud noise, particularly lots of children shrieking. Talks incessantly. He's nearly three and he's fantastic and his physical skills are improving and although he is clearly behind kids his age, he doesn't notice or care yet.

@SianB how is ur son now?

I have three autistic children.

16yoDD - diagnosed age 7. Walked at 9 months old, used words like delicious at just over a year.

12yoDS - diagnosed aged 9, average milestones. Home educated now.

Nearly 3YO DS - non mobile and non verbal. Does not babble. Smart as they come. Hand flaps all day long, I'm surprised he hasn't managed to take off yet!

What I would say is that a lot of babies born during COVID and it's lock downs are delayed, not from additional needs, just less socialising etc.

I would also suggest that you ask for any available tests before a diagnosis is made. They were quick to say my son was autistic but I knew there was more to it than that. A brain scan I requested showed an abnormality. He is autistic yes, but if I hadn't of pushed for the scan we would not have found out about his condition which will need life long monitoring.