Published on 12, July, 2020
My daughter is fascinated with lights, when we turn the lights on at night she walks about staring at them. If we go anywhere that has lights she keeps looking at them and doesn't pay attention where she is walking. We got her toys that has flashing lights and changes colour, she puts her face right on the lights and stares at them. We have also noticed that she is repetitive with her play time. She would turn her toys upside down and keeps spinning the wheels and stuff that spins. She also goes to all the cupboards and open and shuts them constantly. She has started to flap her arms sometimes and sometimes walks on her tip toes. I feel at times she just ignores me when I speak to her, most of the time she doesn't listen to me.
I'm just a bit worried as autism runs in both our families. On my side I have 4 nephews that have ADHD and one nephew is severely autistic. I myself have borderline personality disorder. On my partners side she has 2 brothers with ADHD and a sister with autism. We told the health visitor about our concerns and she just brushed it of and said that is expected behaviour in kids that age, this is our first child but do all kids act like this? She said it is to early to be diagnosed with autism, I think she said 3 years and upwards? she did say if my child is still showing symptoms at her 2 year assessment she will act on it.
So am I being over the top? Is my child acting normal?
Cheers
Hi,
Some of the behaviours you describe certainly fit with autism but 20 months is still young, and as such your daughter may grow out of them. You were right to raise it with your health visitor, I know it seems ages to wait for her 2 year check but most places will not consider referral until this age.
I understand how difficult it is especially with your first child, start keeping logs of her behaviours so you can see any patterns to it as well as any sensory issues like the light fascination. This helps when you go for her check up as it is there in black and white for the health visitor. If you are worried before then you could try the gp but they will probably give the same advice as the health visitor
Trust your instincts and stick to your guns no-one knows your child like you do remember you are not alone and there is loads of information on this site that you may find helpful
Hi, thanks for the response... I forgot to mention when she watches cartoons all of a sudden she would squeel in fear and run with her hands over her ears. My parter works with autisic kids/adults and she can see traits of autism. It was her who suggested telling health visitor. Its just the repetive stuff she keeps doing every day. I have also never seen a child so fascinated with lights, she likes the camera light from our mobile phones but im scared she might damage her eyes as she puts her eyes right up to lights. My partner took her to the park the other day and when cars drove by she would cover her ears because of the sound.
You are right, in that there are quite alot of traits showing, might be worth another discussion with the health visitor but I think they will still insist on waiting for the two year review but at least they would be well aware of you concerns prior to this