I'm not entirely sure what I'm asking here. Perhaps whether you think there might be some signs of autisms being displayed by my dn and whether you think it's something I should mention to my brother. At 21mo, she...
Does not point, either to indicate that she is interested in something or to ask for it
Does not bring things to you or show them to you
Does not look at things if you point and if you ask here where something is she will not show you
Does not 'play' with things. A toy car for example she will put in her mouth or drop on the floor repeatedly but will not use it as a toy. Also does not pretend to drink from a cup or use a toy phone etc
Has strange mannerisms. She flaps her arms wildly frequently and not in excitement, more in a habitual way
Does not show a preference for her parents ie does not bother if they leave the room or if a stranger talks to her/sits next to her
Does not make eye contact at all and will actively try not to look at you
She can say single words, sometimes in context but more often just the same word repeated over and over and over. SIL says she does recognise things from pictures but rarely from the real objects. She can count and recognises numbers and letters but not if asked to.
I don't know if any of this signals that she could be autistic. Her half sister, my db's dsd has Asperger's and was diagnosed recently (aged 8) and I know there can be a higher chance if an older sibling has autism.
I did wonder if maybe it could be a global development delay instead. She has been walking for 6 months but still walks like she has just learnt to take a few steps. She doesn't change direction when she walks, has to stop and turn first and her leg movements are very awkward, I can't describe them, just flat footed and as if she is following instructions in how to walk as opposed to just walking naturally.
She had viral encephalitis in August which did cause some physical regression for a time but db and sil confirm she has recovered all previous abilities.
I don't know whether to say something to my brother, or hope that the hv notices something at her 2yr check (or even better notices nothing and I'm imagining things).
I hope you don't mind me posting in special needs. I'm just putting out feelers to see if any of this sounds of concern.