5 month old - possible autism

[Raachellj]

I am not sure if this is the right place but I am looking for advice as my thoughts are in overdrive.

I believe my 5 month old baby (6 months on 21st May) is showing signs of autism and I was wondering if any other parents had the same experience.

She doesn’t consistently respond to her name and her eye contact isn’t great especially with me. It is slightly better with her dad and my mum.

She has rolled from front to back and back to front once or twice but she isn’t doing this regularly although she is trying.

The latest thing that has made me wonder is she sits with her arms and legs quite stiff. Whilst doing this she rotates her ankles and her hands seem to be shaking slightly.

I know 5 months is young but I need to share my thoughts as family members think I am massively overthinking things. I am obsessed with her and nothing would change if she does has autism, I’m just wondering if any other babies showed signs at this age?

The only thing that sounds unusual to me is possibly the way she sits and moves her hands/feet. Perhaps you could take a video and show it to a Dr?

I also forgot to add that she is a very independent baby. She doesn’t like to be cuddled really especially by people she isn’t familiar with. 99% of the time if someone tries to hold her who she isn’t very familiar with she will scream. She seems most content laying down on her play mat by herself.

I think your anxiety is getting the better of you.

5-6 month olds aren't supposed to respond to their names. You expect this by 12 months.

Being uncomfortable with people she doesn't know is a sign of stranger anxiety emerging and is a good sign - shows she knows her close people.

Unless she can lie on the playmat for 30 minutes or more without looking for you, her independence isn't a problem.

You could get the stiff arms and legs checked by the Dr but it may just be her trying to find her balance when sitting.

You're not going to be able to tell whether or not she's autistic at 5 months (though she sounds very typically developing here). Try to enjoy what she's doing now rather than worrying.

Thank you for your response. There is a couple of things I forgot to add.

When she gets excited when she’s laid down she arches her back and pushes up on her legs so her bum is in the air.

She often lays with her legs sticking straight out slightly off the floor. People joke that she will have such a strong core.

however, I do have to say I have a massive amount of anxiety and have always suffered with heath anxiety in relation to myself before baby was born. My partner has told me I need to speak to a GP or health visitor because the thoughts are consuming.

I don't think there's anything unusual here - my son has Autism and really nothing was noticable until he was 2 and his speech/language wasn't developing. Babies often arch their backs and at that young age they won't respond to their name. If you are getting health checks for her and nothing is flagged as out of ordinary I really wouldn't worry and perhaps just focus on how to manage your anxiety and worry.

@Raachellj Hello,
I have same kind of concerns with my DD who is 5 month too.
How is your DC now? Thanks