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Red Flags or Paranoid Father?

NAS66212

Hi everyone,

I'm becoming quite concerned about my 18 month old son and I'm wondering if anyone could offer some advice.

We are first time parents and don't have much to compare with in relation to normal development and symptoms of ASD.

My son would become over excited when watching TV (mainly monsters inc.) when he is sitting down. While playing he sometimes addresses you when his name is called but other times he doesn't. He can point to communicate and if we point at something to draw his attention to it generally he looks to see what it is. 

He can sometimes through tantrums or become frustrated when he can do something he is attempting to do. I don't know the difference between a normal tantrum or signs of ASD or if there are any??

Maybe I am paranoid but I'd love to hear of anyone elses experiences at this age and how I can get a better understand if my concerns are warranted or if I'm just an anxious dad.

  1. Thanks
  • in reply to NAS66212

    If it's worrying you a lot, bring it up with your doctor and health visitor. They may say that the speach is possibly delayed, but not necessarily autism.

    Some children don't speak until they are actually in school. All children develop differently. (I know that sounds like a typical response, and one you've probably heard before, apologies).

    My mother in law told me that my husband didn't talk until he was 5 years old. 

    If you worry about t.v, you could try to cut it down. We have actually moved our t.v out of our living room, to reduce our little girl's t.v time, and get her doing more play. 

    Not ideal for everyone I suppose, but worth a try. 

    Also, it might be worth finding out if he could get hearing tests scheduled. We had hearing tests done to rule out hearing issues, causing her to ignore us calling her name, and also because she kept placing objects onto her ears, and putting things in them.

    2 tests came out inconclusive, but the 3rd she passed with flying colours, and were happy to discharge her. So they also ruled out hearing issues causing her not to talk aswell.

    Have a chat with them, and let me know how you get on. :)

  • in reply to MrAndMrsH

    Thank you both for your replies. 

    To be honest this is all something that my wife and I have just started to notice. If I call him from the next room he doesn't come running, but if I say his name when I am just n the room with him he will turn or look about 60% or 70% of the time.

    I think wee are going to keep and closer eye on him for the next week or so and look out for some of the less obvious traits. Would you have any advice on what I should look out for?

    From the tutorials online wee seem to be getting mixed results when wee try to assess him ourselves. For example:

    He is quite a vocal little guy but wee have never actually thought to consider how well is he actually communicating with us.

    He loves to play peekaboo and this evening as I got him ready for bed he maintained good eye contact but other times when I am trying to talk to him or ask him a question he doesn't look me in the eyes doesn't answer.

    He will point for his blanket and pacifier but can't say their names. He can say dada or daddy but doesn't say mama that often. And most of his communication is blabber.

    Sorry for the long reply, my mind is in overdrive right now with worry. 

  • I think the t.v situation is common with most children. With the calling his name, how often does he ignore it? It could be that he's very focused with whatever he is doing. We were told to tap them on the shoulder to see if you can break their focus from whatever the activity is. Not necessarily a sign of autism, but worth keeping an eye on.