Unusual 1 year old behaviour?

[Namechange285]

Hi everyone,

I'm a FTM, so have little comparison, but would appreciate some advice about my daughter and whether some of her behaviours are typical for neurotypical children or could indicate there's something else going on. I love her no matter what, but just want to make sure I'm supporting her as best possible...

These are the things that make me wonder....

• As a newborn she was incredibly alert. She cried constantly/was very hard to comfort/get to sleep. Would only be soothed by constant breastfeeding.

• She often twirls her wrists/extends her arms, especially when frustrated or excited.

• She often sits and rocks side to side (especially if in a new place) Also does this to music, which I guess is just her dancing!

• She gets easily overwhelmed with direct attention/if lots of people are talking. She used to scream/get overwhelmed in places like soft play but she's been much better with this in the last month.

• She makes constant mmm noises when eating.

• She doesn't like cuddles (never has) and is constantly on the go.

• She doesn't really have any words yet, although constantly babbles.

I guess I'm wondering if this could indicate possible ASD? I know it's too early to diagnose, but just interested in others experiences.

On the flip side, she does respond to her name/make good eye contact and plays games like peekaboo (seems to really enjoy this!)

Thanks for your advice on this (and I know I'll probably be told to stop overanalysing/go with the flow, but easier said than done when you're a mum hey!)

Hopeful bump!

Anyone?

It’s really too early to say. When you do your two years review a lot of the questions are screening for autism.

You can always talk to your HV.

FWIW my 4yo is autistic and he loved cuddles, didn’t stim but would never make eye contact until we started speech therapy.

@SachiLars thank you for replying. Yes, I guess it's a case of wait and see, as every child is so different. There's a history in my family so I'm just interested to hear if anyone has had similar experiences, so thank you for sharing yours. Hope your little one is getting on well with the speech and language therapy

No words yet but he manages to make himself understood with movement and PECS.

at least you’re on the front foot so you’re ready if you do need support or interventions. I love the sound of her dancing, sounds so cute.

Thanks. I'm glad he's getting support and finding some ways to communicate. It is very cute, she just bobs from side to side whenever she hears music.

Would be great to hear any other experiences of children with similar behaviours.

@Namechange285
Hey. I’m hoping you can update on your little one
so my son is 10 months. He twirls wrists and feet and flaps hands when excited.

he too hates any form of comfort. Hates to sit on my lap and relax, hates a cuddle etc :-(

how is your little one now. Have they improved / stopped those things

thank you xxx

Hey @Danielle1989x Well my daughter is now 20 months and I'd say lots of these things have changed. She doesn't flap or twirl her hands at all anymore, doesn't make any random noises while eating (although does now throw half her food on the floor lol). Her talking is coming on really well too. She's still extremely active and can throw an almighty strop, but she has become more affectionate (will give a cuddle when asked, will sit and relax on us as we read her stories and is excited to see us when she comes home from nursery). So as the other pps said, try not to worry as 10 months is so early in their development, and you will really be amazed by some of the changes that happen from this point on. Could you ask your health visitor for some advice if it's playing on your mind?

Hello @Namechange285

Thank you so much for replying to me I really appreciate that as I’m so worried!
It’s the hands / feet twirling and the start of him flapping that’s so concerning
he did stop clapping for about 2 months but picked that back up again this week which is so reassuring

Its also the lack of affection too
He has NO comforts
No teddies, blankets and he hates cuddles
I ask for a kiss and he knows exactly how to but is really reluctant to give me one. Most of the time he turns his face away

He too was very alert as a newborn. Has never really self settled.
But, he does respond to name almost everytime. He is quite straight faced but does smile and laugh when he should. He also says Mumama and Dadada. He copies me like today he done the all gone gesture. He also copied the UH OH sound so I should focus on what he does do but it’s the hands and feet I hate it
Did your little one do it much?
There isn’t a day that goes by that he doesn’t do it.
My son tends to do it when he is excited or frustrated and also when eating if I spoon feed him. Sometimes in the car seat too

He gets frustrated when his sisters try to play he just likes to be left alone (I mean they do bug him quite often)

His sleep isn’t the best. Wakes every 1-2 hours for a feed through the night
His been down only an hour and his already stirring and my partners just had to go up to try settle him :-(
He gets aggy if I don’t give him the boob but his 10 months next week, I want to try wean him off a few feeds now his on several meals a day, not keep giving him my boob because his unsettled

it’s been a tough journey so far
Ive spoken with health visitor and she’s been so kind and helpful but at the minute the occupational therapist I was referred to for help and advice says she thinks his absolutely fine but she saw him for 30 minutes out of a 24 hour day and in that time he didn’t do his hand movements or any other quirks (he loves to stick his tongue out and make a funny noise too)

sorry for the long reply :-(
it’s hard when your on your own with these worries as everyone tells me he is fine and his young he will outgrow them all but I’m scared he won’t and I just have autism
in the back of my mind all the time when I see him do them

x

Hey @Danielle1989x Aww, you're welcome. It's so worrying isn't it, but please try not to panic. My daughter did the hand flapping/twirling a lot too and I was quite fixated on it (among other things) but in the space of just a few months I'd almost forgotten that she did it. It could just be his way of expressing himself when he's excited/tired/overstimulated etc. Also really reassuring that the OT didn't have any concerns.

I do also think some kids are just less affectionate than others (just like some adults are!) It's so hard as a Mum though isn't it, when the kisses/cuddles mean so much to us. I've googled this a lot myself and read lots of reassuring stories of other babies/toddlers that became much more affectionate as time went on, so hopefully that will be the case for both our children.

You sound like a lovely mum so try not to worry and I'm sure all will turn out just fine x