Is my 8.5month old showing signs of Autism?

[MumofHennHals]

I may be being irrational here, but I'm concerned my 8.5 month old developmentally but is nearly 10 months old from birthday - (he was 6 weeks premature and we were told to go by his due date for milestones) is showing signs of autism.

Let me just clarify, I am not worried he has autism because I think it'll be the end of the world. I'm more concerned that I am not giving him what he needs and as a mum you want to do the best by them 🤍

These are the things in which I am noticing:

• Lack of babbling- I'm not sure what to expect at this age, he babbles - but it has to be in a quiet space for example; if the telly is off and he's not distracted - he will babble to himself, make a few noises like coo'ing noises (mmmmm, oooo, bbbbbbbb, raspberries ) rather than Bababa or Dadadada, albeit he has done that a few times.

• Lack of eye contact - He will make eye contact if we engage him for example, if I'm playing peek-a-boo, if his dad is holding him and I'm playing peek-a-boo he will follow me with his eyes and laugh at me, if we lay him down and tickle him- he will stare at me, smile and laugh...

But I'm concerned that he doesn't maintain eye contact when we are changing his bum and talking to him, he's already looking around for the next thing to escape too?

• Responding to name - he will respond to the name sometimes, if he's busy playing or crawling a way sometimes he will stop and stare, but other-times he completely doesn't respond.

• Hand movements - he doesn't stim or flap at as much, but he loves to smack me and smack his toys / his food tray- not constantly.

• social interaction- he is yet to clap, point, wave, but he will smile if someone says his name and smiles at him.

• as smug as it sounds, he's a great sleeper.

He is an absolute menace when it comes to moving, he will flip himself over every nappy change, I've got used to changing him while he's crawling away, if I sit him in my lap- he's trying to turn away and get down to what ever he has seen to crawl towards next. He's already pulling himself up at furniture and we've had to add the stair gates already cos he could climb the stairs if we let him.

I'm aware it could be seen to be too early? - but I feel like there's a few milestones he's missing here... I would like experiences on if this is tell tale signs or if those with children with autism had children without who was similar to my son. My daughter was the complete opposite, lazy and loud!

Health visitor emailed saying she will catch up with me at his 12 month review in April as she's busy with urgent cases. The service is useless for just advice near me.

Xx

I’m not sure what you think is autistic in your list? I have both autistic and non autistic children and this could describe either.

Hi, my son was 10 days over due. He was late rolling (7months ish), crawling (10month ish) and walking (18months and then still preferred to be pushed everywhere) talking (4+ though he tried it was eligible)every milestone was delayed, however most of his traits did not come out until he was between 2&3. He’s now 10 and has about a 4 -5 year delay. My other son (almost 3) who will be facing assessment soon is the complete opposite. He’s met every milestone (bar the speech, he misses of the first letters of most words and sometimes has gibberish) however he doesn’t like making eye contact (will sometimes) hasn’t ever pointed, stims constantly and repeats the same thing constantly. The nursery have referred him as they feel he has traits also (doesn’t play well with other children prefers lone playing amongst other things) I wouldn’t personally be worried about things you’ve listed at this moment in time. You’ll get a much clearer picture the older they get.

There are no signs of autism specifically in an 8.5 month old (yes, you should use adjusted age). There might be signs of delays generally but these wouldn't specifically point to autism.

In any case, your DS isn't delayed - the skills you list like pointing and waving are not expected yet. All children who have recently learnt to crawl want to move everywhere and none stay still for nappy changes.

Thank you. It's more so the lack of babbling, when I get his attention and babble to him, like ', dadadadadada' he just looks at me, smiles and then laughs at me!!!!!

Feel like I'm trying everything to encourage / help- but I feel I'm doing something wrong with this and I'm failing him!

On top of what you’re already doing I would narrate what you’re doing with him throughout the day so you’re modelling lots of language for him.

Do you take him to any baby group activities? How is he at those compared to the other children? He’s already crawling which is good.

If there is anything going on it will become evident in the next couple of years as PP have said. The HV is likely to adopt a watch and wait approach because of his age I would think.

The HV’s are correct in prioritising more urgent cases. At 8.5 months and with all the things your child is doing developmentally, I don’t think there would be any early intervention from the NHS at this point.

To the best of my knowledge there might be some early intervention if your baby wasn’t making any eye contact, not crying at all, not able to physically develop (not roll or sit up etc) and if they don’t seem to be able to feel pain. Those would be major red flags and cause for concern. None of which describe your child at this point.

I would say just make notes of everything your child is doing developmentally, and down the line you can refer back to those notes and relay all of this to health / education professionals.

I had my own concerns about my son at that age and I even mentioned autism to the HV’s at his 6-9 month developmental check, but no major concerns were raised, however by the time he was nearly 2 I expressed more concerns as by then it was very clear that his development was atypical. At the 2 year developmental check, this was where the main bulk of referrals were made and he will now be assessed for autism. Your instinct as his mum isn’t something you should ignore in my opinion. One thing that you should look out for is lack of pointing. This is now thought to be a major indicator of autism. My son didn’t point until he was 2.5.

Thank you for taking the time to post... since pressing post, ironically he started to make so many more noises!!!! He certainly makes eye contact and likes to play games like 'pretending to feeding us his toy cup' and giggling when we go 'mmmmmm yummy!'

He is still yet to point though... he doesn't wave or clap either- but in all honesty we've never really left him and no one has ever waved good bye or hello to him- so I'll start doing that.

@MumofHennHals hi. May I ask how is your son doing now?