Autism? Please help, I'm exhausted

[Oneworryaday]

I have a 2y 6m old toddler and a baby. The 2.5y old has always been what could be described as high energetic and needy: breastfed until 1.5, frequent night wakings (still does) and constantly attached.

Other things are really worrying me and I can no longer ignore it, I feel something is off. He started speaking very late (around 2), still now doesn't say more than two words, unless he's parroting something, and I have realized he's been saying the same exact words all this time, without learning anything new.

He is obsessed with animals and mostly replicates animal sounds and colours. People usually think he's younger than his age. He doesn't respond to his name and is not interested in playing with other children. Often hits himself on the head. Is very clingy to me and wakes up if I go to the loo (I'm exhausted as I have a newborn).

He's very smily though and friendly so we originally didn't think anything was wrong (DH and I). He likes when we read books to him and we could go on and on for hours (same books though).

Is it worth speaking to GP or is it a normal 2.5y old development.

Meant to add, he doesn't say if he has pooped or not, has a very restricted diet and hates clothes.

Try the MChat-R free online test for a start and see if that gives you anything to raise with the GP.

There are some things jumping out for me such as the parroting words, obsessions, hitting himself and liking the same books again and again (I have a ds age 6 with ASD who I had similar concerns about from age 2, but not diagnosed until age 4 due to waiting list). Speak to your health visitor they can do a basic assessment on his development including social development at home and then refer for further assessment/support.