2.3 and showing signs of ASD?

[ag12345]

Hello everyone. This is my first time posting here and I don’t really know how to start it really but I’ve been having concerns since my DS was 18 months old.
he seemingly met all milestones on time if not a little early but when it comes to pointing with his index finger he did this around 18 months, then around 21 months pointing to request followed by some
words/labels. But no pointing to show interest? I know this is significant.
he does have good eye contact in terms of when asking for something he will look at me, and continues to make sure I’m following him to get what he wants etc. he’s social when playing with his big brother (6) likes to play side and seek, he also has imagination I.e putting things to his ear and says ‘hello’ and used other things as a phone, brushing his toy animals teeth, and feeding his toys, pushing duplo Lego down a toy slide and saying weeee. He also shows social referencing checking, will look for my reaction when doing something he knows he shouldn’t. He shows good understanding of instructions, and plays with toys appropriately. He did flap his hands when excited but that’s pretty much stopped and he jumps when excited!
doesn’t seem to have any sensory issues
he has got a good word bank too now. I’d say maybe 100 and starting to link every now and then. We had one 3 word sentences around x mas ‘jump on bed’ which made me really happy. He shows shared interest in books, and if I say ‘what’s is this’ he will tell me. No fine or gross motor issues and doesn’t need routine. (I know this may change)
he will say and wave bye bye when prompted. He does get generally happy to see people but won’t say ‘hello’ when greeting people.
he also doesn’t answer yes or no and has never shook or nodded his head.
it seems that it is social communication that is the issue for him.
we have his 2 year review coming up and I just feel lost where to go from here ? has anyone got any advice ?
could it be a social communication delay? Or does this sound like ASD?

@needhopeandluck oh yes there is definitely shared enjoyment. We read books together, and play together. yeah I’ve done the MCHAT and scored 2?
responds to name etc. I definitely wouldn’t say his is receptive, more expressive delay.
im really hoping nursery will help with his social communication.
my son hasnt had a regression, I have got a private SALT in mind actually. Just scared of what she will say.

@ag12345 2 is low risk, so good. What is the other concern apart from pointing to show interest?

@ag12345 nursery did not help my son at all. But that is because of his understanding mainly. He got really frustrated there. I heard a lot of positive stories about it though.

@needhopeandluck i would a few gaps in his speech but my older boy spoke quite late.
he jumps when excited, but definitely wouldn’t say it’s excessive so wouldn’t be classed as stimming.
I also sometimes think I have to try hard to engage him sometimes. But I often wonder is that just a typical toddler ? But really, that’s all.
it’s just the lack of him pulling us into his world. But then when I really think about it, he does in his own way. For example… he will ask for the shower to be turned on in the bath so I spray him and we laugh about it. We read a book and one of the lines is ‘and the bees are buzzing around’ and he will look and wait for me to bzzzzzz and we will laugh together.

@ag12345 maybe he just needs some more time. My son only said mummy at 26 months and only in the past few weeks he started using the word to get my attention. So things can change. Pointing is a red flag not a diagnostic. All toddlers show some red flag. The important thing is that he has joint attention, that you enjoy things together.I think your son will be fine :)Lets keep in touch.

How often does your daughter flap or spin? Is it daily /often ?

@needhopeandluck @FOX26 hi people I hope your well? I just wanted to give a little update! So we are 30 months now. And things have really progressed. He is regularly putting 2 words together now, and sometimes 3 ‘come on, go in car’ we had the other day. And it wasn’t a fluke. We have this a lot. We still have a lot of single word use but he is using 2 words much more, ‘come on play’ and says to his brother ‘name come’ ‘fix it’ - when his banana broke in half. Sadly I’m not a magician😂
He now knows his colours, red car, blue ball etc. he shows me them points to them saying red car and looking at me to make sure I’ve seen it. We was walking through the garden center the other day and I was looking else where and he pointed and said ‘bus’ because he had seen one and checked I had seen. At night time, we read books and he will say ‘it’s a sheep’ and we do baa together and will look in anticipation. We will count things and he says ‘I counting’
his imaginary play has always been there but is also developing and uses tools to fix things eg a electric drill and making the sounds with it.
he’s just so much more interactive now his speech has developed and is still developing. His understanding is also getting better too. If he falls over he will look at me and say ‘I okay’ and want me to kiss it better. If I say ‘I love you’ he will say ‘I yuv yooo’ I don’t think he understands but I’ll take it.
I still feel he is not in line with other children his age with speech and understanding but we are moving forward. And developing.
he starts preschool a week on Wednesday and I think it will be great for him.
the only thing I feel has emerged is his dislike for loud noises. Hoover he is fine with but if there are loud drill sounds he will cover his ears, but he doesn’t cry or get distressed (my older son did this very bad and would cry over singing happy birthday)
he still sometimes flaps his hands when putting cars down a ramp but from what I’ve read, lots of toddlers happy flap.
so yeah that’s my update for today.
how are you guys getting on? ♥️♥️

@ag12345 Really happy for you! sounds like he is doing great! amazing progress!