Signs of autism 15 month old

[Authentic2020]

I am increasingly worried about my nearly 15 month old son and I am suspecting he is autistic.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

The signs :

• no words so far,

• babbling doesn't seem to be frequent and often he would just repeat the same 'expressions' like "oohlalilali" or "abny"

I am starting to wonder whether his babbling is abnormal

• no pointing and waving, can clap occasionally

• not sure about his eye contact, it's there and it can be very good but it's often difficult to grab his attention

• doesn't respond to his name very well, I would say more often it's ignored, especially if he is engrossed in something

• he can copy sometimes (if you show him how to play with a toy, or if I shake my head, but he doesn't copy any hand movements), he can't imitate "pee-a-boo" with muslin cloth

• he doesn't copy sounds really, sometimes copies dadada or mama or the sound of clearing a throat

• he seems to be more interested in objects than interaction, although he can engage well and can be very interactive.

People would sometimes comment that he is sociable. Our HV also think he is sociable but that is usually not my impression when I am spending all day with him

• he is very independent, likes to play on his own, (he does seek attention from me from time to time)

• he is very active, can't walk yet but he loves his walker and can walk for ages. I usually take the walker with us and he can walk with it obsessively but he doesn't really check if I am behind him.

Our HV visited a week ago. She wasn't particularly concerned and will come back in three months but I don't know if I can wait that long.

At the moment I think that's is very likely that he is autistic and I am so worried.

I did Mchat although I know it's too early. He scored 8.

P.S. Sorry for any mistakes, English isn't my native language

I think he's a bit young to be worrying about autism just yet. Has he had his hearing tested?

Thanks for your reply Ellie56.

He had his hearing tested only after his birth.
Our HV didn't think it was necessary but I would like to rule out any problems with hearing.

I have a scheduled call with GP tomorrow about my concerns but I have a feeling we might need to go privately for his hearing test.

I don't know if I can wait that long.
At the moment I think that's is very likely that he is autistic and I am so worried

For a child to be diagnosed as young as yours is, they would have to be vastly different to their peers. Your child is well within the parameters of ordinary child development. No medical professional would give you a diagnosis of autism based on the observations you have listed.

No amount of worrying will make any difference. IF he is autistic, it will be noticeable in due course. If he is not, then it won't.

I agree with Ellie56 Having his hearing checked would be a good thing to do.

Thank you for your reply BlankTimes.

I will get his hearing checked.

When I wrote that "I don't know if I can wait that long" I meant doing nothing. It is too early for diagnosis but I was thinking about early interventions in case he is autistic. I don't want to miss any windows of opportunity if I can improve things for him.
The brain of children is very malleable and there are studies which indicate that early interventions improve social communication when applied in children under 2 years old and at risk for ASD.

"Your child is well within the parameters of ordinary child development. "

That sounds quite reassuring. My main worry is that he is displaying quite a few signs which indicate the risk for ASD. If it was just 2-3 signs I wouldn't worry but I feel like it's the collection of them.

There are more signs I didn't mention like potentially sensory seeking behaviours (he likes rubbing fluffy objects on his face, he does it very frequently), he doesn't reach to be picked up and he isn't seeking comfort when crying. He does spin toys or other objects very often.
When excited he is tensing his arms, hands and face.

It's 5 weeks too early to do the test but he scored 8 in MCHAT and that indicates high risk. When my partner did the MCHAT he scored 11.

I guess one of the reasons I decided to post here was to seek some reassurance (but also advice).

Because I am so worried I was hoping that someone will reply "my son was very similar at this age and he is fine"

...or confirmation that perhaps I should start some kind of parent-led early intervention.

I've just spoken to the GP and we got the referral to see a pediatrician.

OP there’s plenty you can do at home whether he’s autistic or not. The book ‘An early start for your child with autism’ is about using everyday activities to support your child. Likewise the Hanen book ‘More than words’ will help with communication. As I said, these strategies will be useful even if he doesn’t turn out to be autistic.

My son just turned 15 months and we have no pointing from him and I don't feel he understands me. He has selective hearing. If I call his name he does look but if he is busy he doesn't. I'm currently on holiday and have noticed babies similar age and they don't really say much as well apart from the occasional ooh ahh baba mama but what I've noticed is that these families is that can have a nice long meal in the night whereas I have to take shifts with my husband as DS doesn't sit longer than 20-30 mins in his high chair causing a scene. Also, again we take shifts looking after DS whereas I see those babies in their buggies under the shade. My DS just runs around like a headless chicken and randomly claps.

I picked him up this morning and he looked at me and took his toast out his mouth and tried to feed me and he started doing this more frequently. He takes my sunglasses off and tries it on and puts it back on my face upside down. We do have shared engagement and excitement. They say trust your gut instinct I do feel he is different in a very very active way but also he has very good eye contact and is very alert in regards to his surroundings. For instance, he is very connected and he either loves you which he will flirt or he doesn't like you. His been on sand and grass and no sensory issues.

My son just turned 15 months and we have no pointing from him and I don't feel he understands me. He has selective hearing. If I call his name he does look but if he is busy he doesn't. I'm currently on holiday and have noticed babies similar age and they don't really say much as well apart from the occasional ooh ahh baba mama but what I've noticed is that these families is that can have a nice long meal in the night whereas I have to take shifts with my husband as DS doesn't sit longer than 20-30 mins in his high chair causing a scene. Also, again we take shifts looking after DS whereas I see those babies in their buggies under the shade. My DS just runs around like a headless chicken and randomly claps.

I picked him up this morning and he looked at me and took his toast out his mouth and tried to feed me and he started doing this more frequently. He takes my sunglasses off and tries it on and puts it back on my face upside down. We do have shared engagement and excitement. They say trust your gut instinct I do feel he is different in a very very active way but also he has very good eye contact and is very alert in regards to his surroundings. For instance, he is very connected and he either loves you which he will flirt or he doesn't like you. His been on sand and grass and no sensory issues.

It's way too early to be worried about this at the moment. I do understand though. I first raised concerns about my now 6 year old when he was 2 months old and we are currently waiting for an autism assessment. It's a very long and frustrating time. I was curious and did the mchat test on ds based on what he was like at 2 years old and he scored 20. Your ds is only very young still and he would probably score a lot lower in a few months time when he is the right age for the test.

Thanks for your advice openupmyeagereyes.

I am going to order 'More than words' from Winslow website. Like you said, even if he is not autistic it will be useful.
It should be good for his development if we learn how to better communicate with him.

Newbiehere123
Some things you wrote about your son sound familiar. My son also doesn't last long in his highchair and it seems like he wants to be on the go most of the time. Sometimes I wonder if he is a bit 'hyperactive', he is so obsessed with his walker.

"I picked him up this morning and he looked at me and took his toast out his mouth and tried to feed me and he started doing this more frequently. He takes my sunglasses off and tries it on and puts it back on my face upside down."

It's so cute when they do that, my son has also started doing those things.

"They say trust your gut instinct I do feel he is different in a very very active way but also he has very good eye contact and is very alert in regards to his surroundings."
My gut instinct is telling me there is something wrong but then again I tend to be a bit of a worrier anyway.

My son is also very alert in regards to his surroundings. When we go for a walk he almost never turn his head to check if I am behind him. He is so engrossed in observing that he quite often ignores me when I try to talk to him while outdoors.

And he is "obsessed" with objects. It seems to me that he is much more interested in objects than people. But than again he can engage very well with us and other people and can be playful and interactive when something/someone catches his attention.

elliejjtiny

I can imagine that it must be a very long and frustrating time while waiting for an assessment and diagnosis.

For me it's the unknown that is so frustrating, once you know you can at least move on.

Yes, I am hoping that by 18 months the score will be significantly lower.

@Authentic2020 yesterday I was reading some posts on Mumsnet about hyperactive babies, I know it's not a thing as babies can't be diagnosed with ADHD until they are 5-6 (correct me if I'm wrong). Reading those posts has made me a bit more relaxed now as I saw so many common traits among other posters. My DS is so active he just runs around and has a very short attention span. When I see babies who are placid and content, I thought that was the norm and DS was different as I can't play or read to him as he is more interested in climbing, touching, opening cupboards, emptying shelfs and opening doors. Try reading those posts from other mums. I googled "hyperactive baby/toddler mumsnet" and it shows so many posts that you could relate and actually feel much better

Newbiehere123

Thank for your post.
It just shows you that a lot can be your own perception of "hyperactivity".

Saying that we had to start hiding his walker while indoors. He would walk/run with it for hours if he could and it's just so disruptive.
I am happy for him to use it in the garden or in the park.

Hello
My son is also 15 months and similar with some of these issues:
He can only babble with dada I don't think he knows it for actual Daddy. Can you do fffff and tttt and an mmmmm but nothing else. He makes this grrr noise a lot which seems to be his way I think of communication at the moment.
He has only clapped once, no wave or point to things but will use that finger to explore different textures in books. We also no longer think he knows his name as he only occasionally turns around. Mobility wise he is very active and has walked since 11.5 months and will copy with a toy, just can't with himself. He can use spoon etc and no dislike to eating certain things, other than off meat at the mo!
I found it almost impossible to get any help in local service's, even direction towards private so I have had to research all myself . He is referred to general paediatrics now as I basically just said to the GP that's what I wanted but is a 7 month wait so basically I'm paying for my own hearing test to rule that out (don't think it is but that's the first thing that will be checked by paediatrics and I'm not waiting even longer for that to come back!) and I have contacted a speech and language expert in early years specialism to see if they can help with advice and strategies, they feel that can, I am happy to try even if doesn't work as it is better than him being left, again I am funding this. He will also start nursery in a few weeks. They all develop differently and I am not looking for a diagnosis as he's too young still but I do want to have some help for him whilst he is young and learning himself rather than changing current behaviour as they say early intervention is key, so that's where I am at, best of luck OP. X

Meant to add he will look me and husband in the eye but is reluctant with others and seems to be in his own zone when out and about. This could be something like autism or could also be an enhanced result if not interacting with anyone else during lock down. I am concerned and it is why I have put in place the hearing and speech and language therapist to see if they can help me with techniques to help him. X

Hi LittleDoveLove

Your post prompted me to phone and check our waiting time for a paediatrician appointment. I was told that our referral has been transferred to the community doctor (?).

Looks like you've done a lot of research and a speech and language therapist sounds like the right person to turn to.

I contacted Blue Sky Autism charity and they replied they would be happy to help. I am thinking about booking an assessment which they can do via video call.

I learned about the charity from this thread (another concerned mum of 15 month old):

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3905498-Concerns-about-15month-old

I also ordered "More than words" book from Winslow but got an email that it may take 3 weeks to arrive as it's out of stock. A bit frustrating.

My son and daughter have autism. At fifteen months my ds screamed constantly, spun wheels on prams, cars, watched the washing machine and the tumble dryer and was fascinated by lights, he had no words, and mostly ignored me unless I had something he wanted and then he'd climb over me to get what he wanted. To get his needs met he'd scream louder until you worked out what he wanted.
My daughter at fifteen months was generally silent, never cried, didn't laugh, was difficult to get a smile from, patted everything, had no desire to explore and would sit where you left her and was happy with a spoon or a toothbrush in her hand. She had had words and she was able to wave and clap but had lost them.
Ds was diagnosed at 2 and a half and dd at just 2.
I suppose what I am saying is that it's very difficult to say what autism looks like at 15 months because even very differently presenting children can have autism.
OP I would say that your dc sounds a lot more like my NT dc than they do my ASD dc.

Hi @Authentic2020

Hi @Authentic2020
No problem, our GP referred my child at request. We had a SLT come out earlier this week and even just from that first meeting has helped us with understanding things. Since then I've changed my interactions to more like they demonstrated and my child has brought me multiple things to show me and play with, done cheers with a cup (not speaking)and seems to be trying a few different sounds and is definitely showing more of an interest. The SLT recommended a book called 'it takes two to talk' which we have ordered, it was about £44 so not cheap! We are also doing a course with them to teach us the skills. We feel happy with this and hope it benefits :). Hope all goes well with your LO. X

Thank you for for sharing your thoughts and experience with your children @hiredandsqueak
In a way I found your post reassuring.

I feel like my son has changed a lot since I posted here 3 weeks ago.
He is much more interactive, more attentive when we talk to him and appears to understand more. He started copying some of our movements and gestures and his babbling seems more advanced.

He still can't point and wave, no words so far.

@Authentic2020 Good to hear you think things are changing with your son. I think the fact you describe him as interactive is telling because I would say that that was the difference between my NT dc and my children with autism. At best I was the provider of what they wanted I wouldn't say they felt the need for me otherwise so they didn't bring me their toys or their books, they would happily take the toys from me but saw no reason for me to play with them.
I have a 13 month old grandson and I know he doesn't have ASD, not only because he has words and can point etc but because he genuinely sees me and his mum and anyone else as somebody who he desires interaction from rather than a means of getting his wants met.

@Authentic2020

Hi LittleDoveLove

Your post prompted me to phone and check our waiting time for a paediatrician appointment. I was told that our referral has been transferred to the community doctor (?).

Looks like you've done a lot of research and a speech and language therapist sounds like the right person to turn to.

I contacted Blue Sky Autism charity and they replied they would be happy to help. I am thinking about booking an assessment which they can do via video call.

I learned about the charity from this thread (another concerned mum of 15 month old):

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3905498-Concerns-about-15month-old

I also ordered "More than words" book from Winslow but got an email that it may take 3 weeks to arrive as it's out of stock. A bit frustrating.

Hi @Authentic2020

Your son sounds exactly like mine and I'm getting increasingly worried. At first I thought it was due to lock down but now I'm starting to think it could be ASD. Like you I want to be able to help and get early intervention if this is the case. Can I ask what you have done so far? I'm a worrier but I'm also a very proactive person so I want to get the ball rolling if this is the case. Please recommend anything you have done and how is your son now? Xx

Hi @BAST1

My son is 16 months old now and it's amazing how much he has changed. He is still very young and they change so quickly.
He is very interactive and sociable, I am not worried about autism anymore.
I feel a bit silly actually, I was an "armchair psychologist" trying to diagnose my son's "abnormal" development based on google search!

I decided not to go ahead with Bluesky Autism charity, I was told that they can be a bit "opinionated" in their assessments.

I spoke to the speech therapist from another (recommended) charity Grow Communication. The only worry I have now is that my son still doesn't say any words, can't point and wave. He has a speech and language delay, it may be or it may not be anything serious but we booked an initial appointment and we would like to start therapy. I was told he is still very young but it's better to be proactive.
The speech therapist said it's important to check his hearing. I got referral from the GP. The GP also referred us to some kind of neurodevelopmental check (just in case), she said it may take a few months before we get an appointment.

I also got More than Words book.

How old is your son and what are his signs?

@BAST I forgot to mention we have a video call appointment with a community paediatrician tomorrow.

An initial assesement with the speech therapist has been booked for 25th Sept.

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to post on my son's progress for people who have similar concerns.

My son is now 17 months old and I am happy to see his progress. He still can't wave but he is often reaching for things and he started using his index finger to touch pictures in books. He sometimes spontanously points to his teddy or birds outside the window. He also pointed to my nose recently when I asked "where is mummy's nose"? It seems like it took ages for him to learn it but I am happy he finally clicked.
He is also more responsive to music, he is moving to the rhythm or humming sometimes. He is better at copying my movements - if I touch my head he will touch his, if I clap my hands or thighs he can now copy those movements.

We had a video call with the community peadiatrician nurse.(I thought it would be the community peadiatrician). She was good though. She referred us to the peadiatrician but it might take months before we get an appointment.
She also asked if it's ok to speak to our son's nursery (I hope to get feedback from nursery today, my son goes there 2 days a week).
The peadiatrician nurse also referred us to the speech therapist.
The NHS speech therapist phoned me yesterday. I explained my concerns and she said that it's good that I pay attention to those communication issues. She gave me some tips how to facilitate and encourage communication with my son, she will also send a booklet with tips. We can contact them if we have any concerns.
It sounds like there is a possibility to start the therapy quite early if we want to.
I asked if, based on her experience, it's possible for my son to catch up with langauge and communication or it might be something serious. She confirmed what I was suspecting - she saw children catching up with no further issues but it might be a sign of autism or language disorder.

Tomorrow we have a zoom call with the speech therapist from Grow Communication chairty, it would be great to get a bit more in-depth initial assessment.

We are still waiting for hearing test referral.