Possible autism in 15 month old

[cujo101]

Hi, just after some support really. We've noticed some odd behaviour in our 15 month old since she turned 12months.

She rarely responds to her name or interacts with us. She mostly ignores us and obsessively moves toys (mostly blocks) back and forth around her whilst sitting- if we try and get involved/remove the toy she screams. She doesn't play with her toys normally and is not interested in games such as peek a boo or reading books with us.

She used to follow some basic commands eg where's my nose/the dog, but now just mostly ignores us. She does not say any actual words but does babble a lot. She doesn't point or clap yet and struggles to tell us what she wants (usually just cries in frustration).

She has also started to obsessively scratch things like the floor and other objects - we thought this was her understanding textures but she will sit and do this for hours if we left her to it.

We have spoken to our health visitor who has referred her for an audiology test but given current Covid situation this has been put on hold (understandably). They've mentioned possible autism and have suggested self referring to SPA but again this is on hold and will be a long wait.

Apologies for the long post but I'm not coping very well with understanding what this actually means for her future outcome if diagnosed. I understand autism is a wide spectrum, but am worried that as she is displaying red flags so early that she may be severely affected- is there any correlation to how early symptoms appear and how severe it is? I keep trying to explain away this behaviour (eg boredom/stubbornness) as I've read it's near impossible to diagnose so early, which gives me hope that that means this behaviour may be normal, but am I grasping at straws?

Just after a bit of hand holding as feeling low and helpless at the moment

Hi, I don't have much advice as we are in a similar position with my son who has just turned two but just wanted to say that you're not alone! We started having similar concerns to you when he turned 1 and wasn't developing in the same way as his peers. I highly recommend a book called Hanen - More than words, it provides some excellent ideas for developing pre verbal engagement and interaction. Also the YouTube channel and Facebook group Nurturing Neurodiversity.

We self referred to speech and language and the paediatrician and have had one phone consultation due to lockdown. I think they are reluctant to see children before they turn 2 as things can change quickly.

She's super young! Far to early to have any idea how she's going to progress. She may just be developing at her own pace but of course it's best to have it checked out.

Even if she is diagnosed, it's not the end of the world!
Ds is on the severe end of the spectrum, life isn't terrible at all. It's different but still wonderful. We have our challenges but so do parents of nt children.

Thank you both for your replies

@jellyfish1982 it's reassuring to hear that. I think I've just been overthinking and panicking about my dd's future. I think it's also really affected me because I'm pregnant (highly emotional at the mo!) and worried about coping with a newborn plus a toddler who may need extra support. Most of the red flags I'm trying to reassure myself could pass over the next couple of months. But it's the repetitive movement of small toys around the floor that I'm most concerned about. It just looks so odd and I get upset every time she starts to do it. I can't seem to find anything online similar- I know lining up of toys is a possible sign, but what she does is repositioning from right to left over and over again. And I can't distract her to try and play 'normally' with her.

@nocturnalstar I've seen that book mentioned a few times- are you just using the book, or have you got the DVD as well? Is it worth reading this prior to seeing paediatrician? The HV suggested self referring to SALT but they're not currently accepting due to current lockdown but will definitely do this as soon as it's eased. I'm expecting them to say 'wait and see' due to her age, which I'm happy to do, I'm just concerned how little she's developed the last month or so and sure she's regressed socially and with communication - so hoping the delays in seeing someone won't be too detrimental!

It's totally normal how you feel! It's unfortunate that referrals aren't going through at the moment but i suspect they wouldn't do too much due to her age other than watch and see.

We do have those sort of behaviours. The scratching sounds like a sensory need. Does she ever scratch herself/others or is it just objects? Do you do any sensory activities with her? I can give you some ideas if that would be helpful.

We tend to get behaviours like you have described when sensory needs are not being met. Ds needs to be kept busy with activities we know will deal with these problems. What she is doing with her toys is along the same lines of lining them up. She's getting something from it that she needs. Does she get distressed if you try and stop her? It does sound like you would benefit from ot input.

She used to just scratch at objects, but in the past couple of weeks she has started to do the same thing to me during bath time (mostly my arms and chest).

Yes she does get very distressed if we try and stop her from moving the objects. I have to either give back the objects or calm her by cuddling.

Please do give me some ideas on what I can do for sensory activities! I'm a bit at a loss-I've tried looking online but there's so much information I feel a bit overwhelmed with it all.

should I be encouraging that behaviour (let her continue doing it) or try and stop it by distraction? I wasn't sure if letting her continue will make it worse, or if stopping her will!

The other thing she has become a bit obsessive over is grabbing my hand and pulling me to walk into other rooms. She can walk (only recently) but will choose to hand walk most times. I'm 7 months pregnant with sciata pain so it's starting to get knackering getting up every few minutes! Is this unusual or is this a phase most go through after just learning to walk?

I'll try and give you some ideas from experiences with my son. I'd definitely ask for an ot assessment from a professional though.

The pulling you to other rooms sounds like hand leading. She can't ask you to come with her so is leading you there instead. Does she ever lead you to objects she wants? It's sound like non verbal communication, which is great.

You absolutely don't want her scratching you. Couple of ideas this could be. It could be the pressure she likes or the feeling of different textures. Does she run/jump/throw herself onto objects at all? Does she bite?

Allow her to explore different textures/materials. Thick gloop (it gives resistance), noodles (you could mix them with food colouring), sensory bags, orbeez, kinetic sand, normal sand, water play, shaving foam. Try giving her hand and foot massages applying deep pressure. A therapy ball or peanut can be really useful for pressure related sensory issues. Let her bounce on the ball, let her lye underneath it and gently squish her under it, roll it over her. Roll her up in a blanket. Let her lie under a heavy blanket or bean bag (obviously appropriate to her size and weight). Weighted toys are also great. Putty, gel pads or floor tiles. Sensory toys she can pull and that have different textures (spikey balls or stetchy men etc). You can also get weighted blankets, vests, lap pads and snakes (I'd discuss this with an ot first though as the weight has to be appropriate to her weight).

What other things does she like? Does she like to be bounced, be rocked etc?

Is it the same objects she does this with?

She leads me so that she can do what she enjoys doing in certain rooms (eg vases she likes feeling, cupboard doors she likes opening etc) or sometimes to objects she wants- but not typical objects, more like my face cream tubs, tv remotes, face mask etc! She never hand leads to something in the same room- it's always to go into another room.

I have just bought a few things off amazon from what you've suggested- that's very helpful thank you. I'll let you know how it goes :)

She doesn't bite thankfully, and doesn't really run/jump/throw herself onto things- occasionally she 'flops' onto cushions with a big smile but that's it.

She loves to be rocked and bounced, especially whilst being held if I'm stood up- it seems to sooth her.

She loves to be chased, eg if we say 'mummy's going to get you' In a playful way she squeals and laughs. She likes to touch our noses, mouth and eyes a lot. She also likes walking around the garden looking at the plants. But mostly it's holding my hand and walking around the house that she enjoys the most!

I have a telephone appointment with the health visitor on Wednesday so will bring up how we can see an OT or at least be put on a waiting list.

@cujo101

She leads me so that she can do what she enjoys doing in certain rooms (eg vases she likes feeling, cupboard doors she likes opening etc) or sometimes to objects she wants- but not typical objects, more like my face cream tubs, tv remotes, face mask etc! She never hand leads to something in the same room- it's always to go into another room.

I have just bought a few things off amazon from what you've suggested- that's very helpful thank you. I'll let you know how it goes :)

She doesn't bite thankfully, and doesn't really run/jump/throw herself onto things- occasionally she 'flops' onto cushions with a big smile but that's it.

She loves to be rocked and bounced, especially whilst being held if I'm stood up- it seems to sooth her.

She loves to be chased, eg if we say 'mummy's going to get you' In a playful way she squeals and laughs. She likes to touch our noses, mouth and eyes a lot. She also likes walking around the garden looking at the plants. But mostly it's holding my hand and walking around the house that she enjoys the most!

I have a telephone appointment with the health visitor on Wednesday so will bring up how we can see an OT or at least be put on a waiting list.

@cujo101 please can I ask how your daughter is now? I'm in the same situation and very worried

@BAST1 we saw a paediatrician who said there's definitely some red flags for autism and referred her for an EEG, blood tests and assessment under SPA. EEG came back fine, we're waiting on the bloods but there will be a long wait for the SPA assessment. We've decided to use a private SALT to help with language and we start that next week. What concerns do you have?

@cujo101

Our son is very similar to your daughter, our concerns are the below and is your daughter doing any of these?
No pointing
No waving
Spins everything obsessively
No eye contact
Doesn't respond to name
No words
Doesn't understand anything we say. Maybe no?

Feel he has regressed massively since 12 months (he is now 15 months), was a very social, smiley baby, now I can just about get eye contact once a day. He sat up, rolled etc on time, took his first steps at 11 months. He loves to climb and is always on the go. I thought it could be due to lockdown as we had a great social life before then but now we don't as my mum looks after him while I work and she's very high risk so we're careful who we are in contact with.

I'm feeling so sad about it as like you I feel overwhelmed with information online. We have been refereed for SALT Assessment and a hearing test and i'm speaking to the Dr again on Thursday to ask about a Pedi appointment. I've also looked at a private assessment with Dr Studnik but it's going to cost £490 and I'm also looking at a company called brainwave.

Did you buy the more than words book?

Can I ask what blood tests they are doing and what an EEG is?

Thanks x

@BAST1 Hi bast I just wanted to say, have you thought about using your resources towards private OT intervention rather than private diagnosis? It does sound from your list like there are red flags for autism, which would very likely qualify your child to be assessed via the NHS, albeit there will be a waiting list.

I think a diagnosis is very important, but quality and tailored support is even more important.

You'd probably be looking for an OT (occupational therapist) experienced with toddlers with ASC, probably also with sensory specialism.

If I were you I'd get referrals to occupational therapy and speech therapy.

We really noticed at about 12 months old that our DD was developing differently to her peers. We started with audiologists to check her hearing, then also got physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy while waiting for the ASD diagnosis. That came when she was 2yrs 3mths old.

From what we've been told, early intervention is crucial in helping your child to access the world in their own way, and we've certainly seen DD making progress as we've navigated the path with her.

@BAST1 the EEG was to check for seizures/epilepsy (which came back clear). The blood tests were genetic tests-we're still waiting on the results and these can take a few months.

She still doesn't understand much but does have a few words now (no, up, yummy and count 1-5). No pointing (she reaches instead) or waving. She is clapping now. Eye contact and responding to name is hit and miss- but less than 50% of the time.

We've actually started private SALT as although we're on the NHS waiting list we didn't want to do nothing in the meantime. The paediatrician and private SALT have both advised it's very likely she's on the spectrum. We've had some helpful tips on improving interaction and eye contact but do wonder what we should do next when the sessions end.

How's your son doing now?

Hello, I'm a little late to this thread but would be great to get an update. My dd is 15 months old and showing symptoms. She makes eye contact when we get her attention. She likes it when we sing and this way she will give us good eye contact. She doesn't have any works but occasionally only babbles "bababa dadada" but not conversationally if that makes sense. She will occasionally look over when her name is called but mostly when we sing a nursery rhymes. She doesn't point, wave or look to what I'm posting at. She tends to bang he head against a furniture she might be sitting against like her cot at times. She also will randomly shaker her head from side to side. We went for a hearing test and came back with glue ears and need to retake test. On waiting list for SLT. I'm super worried!

@cujo101 how is urbaby now?

@amankaura she has since been diagnosed with global developmental delay and autism. She is still non verbal but her interaction with us has improved, along with her eye contact and responding to us. Her understanding is still very limited and she has a number of sensory issues. Eating is particularly difficult as she will only eat a handful of foods and none of them healthy and she cannot use cutlery or drink from a cup 😩. Sleeping is also hard as she wakes in the very early hours and thinks that's the start of the day! So she's very tired all the time, which doesn't help her development.

She attends nursery who have been amazing with her and we have seen massive improvement with certain activities and gross motor skills such as mark making, sitting at a table, tolerating other children near her, jumping, walking and general interaction.

I find what seems like small achievements to others are huge milestones for us and make us very proud of every new skill she gains!

Have you got concerns with your little one or on the path to diagnosis?

@cujo101 my10 months baby do not respond to name nd very quiet. occiassionly babbling nd other noise.otherwise he developing fine.
is ever ur daughter used to reach out to picked up or she raises her hands to picked up? is she crwal to back u if u leave room at 10-12 month?

@cujo101
Hello! I was reading your post and read your latest update. How are you and your little one doing?

I came here as I am too worried my 11 month old is showing signs of autism and I was wondering if you would think any of these are red flags?

1 - she was late to laugh. Didn't giggle until 7 months

2 - late to babble. Didn't babble until 8.5 months and then stopped and started babbling consistently since 9 months

3 - always had trouble getting her to gain weight and eat. She does eat and explore foods and seems interested but then only takes a few bites!

4 - hyper mobility (super flexible)

5 - Answers to her name but not every single time

Things she does well

She points (pointer finger) at everything
She claps, waves, blow kisses, can follow commends like touch my nose, where's your head, where's the cat/dog etc, smiles giggles, and sleeps through the night!

I'm just worried about the late to laugh, late to babble, not a good eater! 😕

@Possum1986 if ur daughter is pointing ,waving, claping then i dont think she has any problen with comunication. normly baby bable startes from 9/10 months and the babies who are born before 37 week of pregnancy they gigge late .