Where there any sign of autism at 21 months?

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Hi all, after a comment made by my MIL regarding my DS.
It's made me think. A lot.
And I would just like to know if there were any tell tale signs you picked up on with your 21 month old DC if they have autism please?
TIA 🙏🏻

Bumping

I first started to pick up signs at 13 months. My son still hadn't said any words and didn't really babble. He didn't really engage with what was going on around him. He stopped making eye contact, flapped his hands, tiptoe walked. He has regressed on some skills that he has previously too. I asked my health visitor to come out and at 18 months she put in his referral for assessment

My DS isn't really saying words

Sent too early

There are 2 words which he is 'trying' to say. We know what they mean.

Then if we ask him where is or what is the cat/dog/mouse from the flash cards he will make the noises they make but won't say the words.

He is not shy, very smiley.

He also mimicks the alphabet A-E but won't say 'words' and yet others his age are saying a lot more

He still flaps/kicks his arms and legs in excitement sometimes. Spins round in circles and finds it funny, and has started walking backwards now.
I wasn't worrying until MIL made the comment she did

I think it was the lack of understanding what was being said to him that was the main concern. I know plenty of children that were "late talkers" but could still understand simple instructions or communicate via non verbal gestures for example by pointing. My son still at the age of almost 4 understands very little of what is being said to him and still does not point. If you are concerned I would start with your health visitor and ask them to come and do a home visit

Ok thank you for your replies @cuju2407 xxx

No verbal language, lack of understanding, lack of play skills, lack of engagement with world around him. He loved picture books though and could point at anything we asked him to which masked the issues for a while. It's never clear cut so you need further real life advice and assessment. Does he go to nursery or playgroups ?

He goes to playgroup twice a week

Do you go with him ? Do you see how he interacts with the other children? Did you see any differences between him and others before the comment was made ? Does he seek your attention and want to share his experiences with you ?

He doesn't play/share toys with others yet he runs round just happy really. He's not shy of others. He does like to be chased by people though he finds this funny.
And yes although he's not talking he will tap my arm or tug my top to get my attention to show me things.
I think he is compared to his cousins who are similar age but seem more 'forward' in terms of speech.
They don't spin around, walk backwards or flap excitedly though so I suppose that's the other difference but I think he's just doing this because he can, and it's a new thing.
I just thought he was quirky to be honest 🤷🏼‍♀️

Are there still developmental checks by a Health Visitor at 2 years ? It might be worth finding out if she can do an assessment as there's no substitute for a real life opinion. From what you have reported, an assessment could be useful

@willowthecat he will have a 2 year development check which can be anything up until he's 2 and half, I may contact them and ask to make it closer to 2 rather than delaying it.
Thank you for your replies 😊

I picked up my son was very different as he wouldnt sit up always put his head on the floor. He wouldn’t respond to his name or didn’t babble. So he was referred to paediatrician for his gross motor delays as wasnt he sitting up unaided by 1. He turned 2 in September and although he now can walk, he still put his head on floor and rocks constantly. His Physiotherapist believes this is sensory seeking for him. We had review last month over the phone with his paediatrician and everyone who’s came into contact with my son, physio, occupational therapist and neurologist and speech and language therapist all have reported back to her they believe he’s definitely autistic. So she is going to do his autism assessment in the next 6 months to confirm diagnosis as Speech and language have declined to take him on at the moment as he is very much in his own world with very little acknowledgement to anyone but they advised to get a place in SEN nursery. I would defiantly recommend speaking to your health visitor about your concerns and ask her if she could refer him to be assessed by your local paediatric team.

Thank you @Polly421 xxx

@justcouldntthinkofausername What comment did your MIL make though? And what does he score on the mchat screening? x

Hi
any improvements? ☺️