Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi there, I hope I'm posting in the right place. I'm after some advice and to hear from parents of children with ASD about the types of behaviours that first alerted them to the fact their children may have ASD.
I have a 14 month old son and for the last 3 or 4 months I've been noticing things about his behaviour that seemed very different to my daughter when she was growing up. He very rarely makes eye contact with anyone, hates to be cuddled and does not respond to his name (or to any voice at all really) despite passing his hearing test perfectly. He is obsessed with with spinning wheels and staring at lights and will often become completely engrossed in an on/off switch or a screw in the back of a toy. He does not point at things, follow my gaze or give me toys when we're playing.
However, he is a very happy boy who laughs and smiles quite a lot. He loves to play peekaboo (which is the only thing he will initiate) and he does wave at me and smile and enjoys me singing If You're Happy and You Know It.
People keep saying things to me like "oh he's a slow learner" and "boys are just lazy" but I just have a feeling in my gut that something isn't quite right. I wonder if this sounds like ASD to anyone? Any thoughts or advice would gratefully received.
As a grandfather of a autistic boy I advise you to get your son tested.
Thank you. Did your grandchild show these types of behaviours?
Hi there, just new to this website. I was in a similar situation to you last year. My son nearly 3 now was diagnosed in the summer (2.5years old) I first was concerned when he was one when he never really babbled. No pointing clapping or waving. Loved spinning wheels and flitting from one toy to another. Very passive he wound give eye contact 50% of the time. Very short attention span. My doc referred me to a paediatrician who assessed him and reviewed him again when he was 2 this was when she said it was likely ASD. He went through the diagnostic process pretty quick and assessed at home and they knew straight away. It is such as scary lonely process but it’s not the end of the world. He is a happy boy who loves hugs plays with my husband and I when initiated. He is still non verbal and does not indicate his needs to me yet. I have been working with a therapist and now have him sitting at the table colour matching and doin puzzles which for him is great progressing as he just loves flitting about. My advice as a mum is go with your gut. There is no harm having your child assessed. Everybody keeps saying early intervention is key.
He showed similar symptoms