Could this be ASD

[Scrambledeggplant]

So can I start by saying I'm absolutely aware that all toddlers develop at their own rate. I'm not wanting to jump to thinking it's ASD, but both my brother, me and his dad are on the spectrum (me having been diagnosed as a toddler), and I'm wondering whether there's anything I should be doing at this point.

My 15 month old was born IUGR, he's always been a bit "behind". For example he wasn't sitting unassisted until 13 months and wasn't able to roll until 9 months old. He started saying mama at 11 months old, but it only lasted about 2 months before he stopped doing it, and now he hardly babbles. He hums a lot rather than trying to speak or make noises. He doesn't do any hand gestures, he won't wave or point. He also cries a lot, and gets extremely frustrated. Nappy times consists of me ending up with multiple bruises and scratches because he gets so angry. It's probably all very normal toddler behaviour, but I see all the others his age speaking full sentences by now. Does is sound like he could potentially have ASD traits?

I would say that some things would point to him needing some support.

If you have ASD it's likely he may have it too.

He's lost some speech which is always worth a mention to your HV.

He's not babbling.

Has the HV done the 12 month check with him yet?

Contacting HV and requesting support is always a good place to start. You can also look at the Ages and Stages Questionnaire online yourself and see how your DS scores. This is often what the HV uses as a basic test to see if extra support is needed.

Are you seeing a physio or paediatrician for his gross motor delay? If not, maybe see your GP and request a paediatrician referral? Your son seems to have a lot going on so it might be easier to have it all under one team.

Not speaking at 15 months isn’t very concerning, the lack of gesture is more so. How is his understanding? Can he communicate any of his needs to you?

We haven't seen the HV since he was 3 weeks old as she told me they don't routinely visit anymore, unless it's for a very good reason. Which I thought was strange as I know others who still saw them past a year. I haven't been to the GP either as I thought it's to do with him being a IUGR baby, so I was told he could have some delays due to that. He doesn't communicate with me, it's literally like having a newborn sometimes. He grunts sometimes, but I still haven't figured out if it's because he wants something or is trying to get my attention. I've felt I've left everything so late and that they'd notice this and flag me up. But I'll make an appointment and see what they say. Will give the questionnaire a try as well, thank you

Your 15mo child hasn’t seen a health visitor or a doctor since they were three weeks old? And there were also pregnancy complications.

Yes, I was shocked as well as everyone else in the family. The lady that saw us said to only contact if there's an emergency, as they don't have the resources to do routine visits anymore. He's obviously been to the doctors since then (well, 3 routine checkups and because he had a temp), not for the development side of things. We just haven't seen or heard from the HV. He nearly died during birth, and was blue born after an emergency induction. Yet we were discharged a few hours later as they "needed the bed". Luckily baby was absolutely fine minus undiagnosed jaundice. We reported the hospital due to negligence

I haven't been to the GP either

My mistake. I thought they perhaps hadn’t seen a medical professional at all since 3wo.

It’s not necessarily autism, based on the medical history it could be due to the complications, but you should definitely speak to the GP about your concerns. There has been a regression as well as lagging development.