Autsim?

[Mummy202102]

Hi guys I’m a bit worried about my 23 month old, she flaps her hands since she was about 8 months (more like a twirls and stiffens) a few seconds when she’s excited or watching tv. I know this maybe a sign of Autsim. She doesn’t have any other signs apart from doesn’t talk much she can say most words and is able to communicate with me but no sentences. Has any one else’s child flapped at this age. She is a fussy eater and doesn’t like certain textures..

If you've not seen it already, google M-chat test for toddlers. It can be useful for parents/carers to see the sort of things to look out for if you have any concerns around autism in young children.

Have you mentioned your concerns to your health visitor? (In my experience, some health visitors can be more helpful than others though.)
Is your DD at nursery? If so, have they raised any concerns?

My Ds has an autism diagnosis. I would say in his case, the biggest red flags looking back to when he was a toddler were a) his lack of speech - zero words until he was 4, and b) his lack of 'shared communication'. He never pointed, wanted to share with me what he was doing, had no interest in other children (was actually terrified of them).

Every person with autism presents differently though so it can be a tricky thing to diagnose, especially in very young children.

Hi, yes my baby flaps her hands and arms. A lot! Especially when excited. She is such a happy & pretty content, undemanding baby. She's only 19 months though but I do have concerns about her- she is very behind in certain areas of development- gross motor (has hypermobility and do far can't stand/ walk, even with regular physiotherapy), communication, social & personal development. There are big red flags for ASD- lack of gestures eg pointing, lack of shared attention, not responding to her name & she scores as high risk on the mchat. She is awaiting a hearing test to rule out problems, with a view to a referral to SALT & the HV has just referred her to a paediatrician. I have read lots that flapping is pretty normal for babies, who usually grow out of it by 2/3, though at any baby group I've been to I've not seen any of the others do it like mine. That said, I think if there are no developmental concerns/ there's no lack of understanding or other red flags maybe it's not too much to worry about?