Advice? 15 month old possible ASD symptoms?

[LittleLionn]

Just looking for some input from parents of older ASD children as I've been noticing a few things with DD lately that are a bit concerning.

Is it normal for ASD kids to suddenly regress when previously they've been progressing normally? Or do they show signs and symptoms from day one?

To explain...;

DD's just turned 15 months old and seems to have regressed lately.
At 12 months she was really smiley and happy, could clap, wave, smile at herself / me in the mirror, make eye contact and smile / interact, smiled at other babies / kids, enjoyed being out and about, wasnt fussed when people came round the house. All this seems to have melted away over the last two or three months.

• Seems to be away with the fairies just blank-faced and daydreaming alot of the time.

• Rarely makes eye contact just seems to look through or around you, getting a smile or reaction out of her is hard work.

• Gets super shy clingy and overwhelmed around other people, even her grandparents who she sees all the time.

• Ignores 99% of her toys and only wants to play with things she can stack or group (cups, those toy egg shell things, coloured balls).

• I've been trying to get her to clap, wave and smile in the mirror like she used to over the last few days, but she just gives me a blank look.

• Over the last week I've also noticed shes tip-toeing.

I know ASD isnt the end of the world but I also know its a long hard journey to getting a diagnosis, support etc, so is it worth speaking to the HV now, or watch / wait to see if its just a temporary phase and just mention it at her 2 year check?

Thanks in advance for any advice / input.

Hey
I noticed all the signs in my little boy from around 8 months old, he didn't regress but i knew he wasn't developing typically, i went to my HV when he was 11 months and luckily for me she was amazing - agreed with all my concerns and fast forward a few years my son will have his diagnosis next month (he will be 3 years 5 months)

I have a friends who's child regressed as you have said, it's very common in autism.
I personally think there's no point in waiting because the waiting lists are huge - the main thing is getting someone to listen and make the referrals for you.

Hope everything goes ok

Some DC do regress after previously hitting developmental milestones. Other times (without and without later regression) the early signs are subtle and aren’t necessarily recognised for what they are until DC are older.

If you are concerned, you should speak to the HV and/or the GP. Some of what you mention, e.g. being clingy, can be typical, but it is worth speaking to the HV/GP if you are concerned.

Thanks for the replies. Had no idea regression was common in asd. I am going to give the hv a call today.

@Littlepip02 so nice to hear a positive story, searching on here brings up some awful cases, had to stop looking in the end! All the best to you and DS and thanks again x

Hi @LittleLionn my DD went through a regression, between about 18-20months, similar to how you describe. She is diagnosed with ASD now (she's now 4). Re your question is it normal, some ASD presents via regression but I think it's a minority. And there is also often a question of whether it is really a full regression or if parents didn't notice certain signs (especially if it's a first DC). For us it really was a marked regression although I wonder if there were signs I didn't see at the beginning.

Either way your DC is still young so good you've noticed it and good idea to talk to the HV. I also did the MCHAT online test around 20months which showed that DD was scoring high (high risk for ASD) which gave me something more concrete to mention to the doctor when we had her pre 2 yo check up (not in the UK, so the system is slightly different).

It is probably helpful to write things down or take videos because it can be hard to truly remember / compare behaviours when you look back.

Hope you're doing OK. I found the regression a really hard time, I felt like nobody believed me at first and like I was going mad. It's really hard.

@Ahna65 thank you. I'm ok(ish). Had a teary moment this morning looking through vids on my phone, she was so smiley and interactive just a few months ago, now it's like she's just slipped away.

DP cant (or wont) see any issue. He's the head-in-the-sand type. My mum has noticed though so I know I'm not just being silly.

She is my 2nd DC. DD1 did everything a bit early (walking by 10 months) so I have wondered if I'm just comparing them.

I am going to speak to the HV and will take a look at the MCHAT test now. Thank you. All the best to you and your DC.

Hi @LittleLionn how’s your little one now?