Side glancing in 9 month baby please help.

He used to line up his sweets in patterns before eating them. He took a long while to talk clearly and did not find it easy joining in with others or initiating activities. 

Thank you so much..I really appreciate all the advice  Can I ask what were the little things that you thought were different? 

My son was big into glancing out of the side of his eye while passing fences, walls, continuous structures for a few years around ages 1-3. I thought it was a stimming, self regulation thing, which may have been true as he does have anxiety at times. But we also found out at 4 that he had several astigmatisms and needed glasses. Shortly after, he grew out if this side eye thing. He is very smart and thriving 8 year old now! Don't let the internet discourage you or break your natural mom instinct. Your worry about your baby comes from such a strong love and is normal. Hugs xo 

I was told that by a speech therapist when my son was 3 and she advised me about how to help.

I would not worry at this stage if professionals say it is too early. When my son was young I did not know much about autism as we did not have the internet, but there were one or two things a little different.

However we had fun when he was younger and did things he enjoyed like playing in the park, blowing bubbles, which I would take out to enjoy from his pushchair.

Enjoy having fun and doing things he enjoys. My son is not high functioning, but he and me ( I am also autistic) can enjoy life, but not necessarily the same things that neurotypical people enjoy.

The important thing is that you are there for him and if you are still concerned as he gets older you can always ask for advice again or make enquiries with your GP. Schools and nurseries may also say if they notice your child needs more support.

Hello she came round but was not helpful at all … she said he is too young ????

I am beside myself with worry 

I was wondering if you have a health visitor. Ours was very helpful when I had questions.

Thank you so much Dawn I really really appreciate your advice. Helped so much.

Ok, be careful of the internet. There's a lot of rubbish out there as well as good advice. And a lot of little 'signs' can be a minor physical problem or nothing.

All babies develop at their own pace. However, as he grows this site will give you reliable advice as to what to look for. 

And you can't have a bad case of autism. We're just autistic and all that means is we're wired differently, just like a left handed person is just wired a tad differently. In tandum with other physical or intellectual issues or lacking support early on, there may be high levels of need, but that's not most of us. 

Anyway, it's all to do with the genes so unless you have a significant number of autistic folk or dyslexia, dyspraxia or other neurodivergence within the family, the chances aren't high.

Thank you Dawn, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to me, I am just really worried , I dont have any history in my family, you are right I am seeing signs and then reading on the internet. The side vision is my biggest worry as the internet said this was a bad sign. Then I satrt really getting upset thinking he will have a bad case of autism. I will do everything I can to help him but this is such a worry for me. Thank you again for replying to me.

Try the movie Temple on Prime. True story and Dr Temple Grandin herself collaborated closely with the movie makers, if he's autistic, he'll just beat to his own drum, is all.

Bless you, I think that you are probably torturing yourself needlessly at this stage. I have an adult son, and yes I remember the worry about stuff.

I'm wondering, do you have neurodivergence in the family, or are you just worried because you are spotting some things that could be potential indicators?

If he is autistic, (and you really can't know that yet because he's so young), it isn't necessarily the case that he'll never have an independant life. While some folk do have co-occuring issues and therefore do have very high support needs, and there are some carer's on this site having a tough time,  just look at how many folk don't. There are plenty of us out there doing just fine; they have degrees, jobs, friend, family. Albeit, some extra support with a few things would help. Being autistic has its benefits, and I wouldn't want to be neurotypical. I wouldn't be me.

I think you are right to observe and check out anything you notice. If he is autistic, you wouldn't want him to miss out on a diagnosis, but I really wouldn't worry overly at this stage as long as he is happy in himself.

As for the "all these symptoms at a young age", well, we're born autistic, we don't acquire autism. It's just that it's a bit difficult to judge before toddlerhood whether what you are seeing is autism or something else, or nothing at all.

He is showing so many early signs of autism, I have read this is a real red flag and I am worried that he has all these symptoms at such a young age that he is going to be very low functioning,  

I'd concur with the others. I wouldn't jump to any particular conclusion at this stage, but get his eyes tested.

What is it that you are afraid is the problem? 

Thank you for taking tome to reply. It is only sometimes I suppose that is what is worrying me I think his eyes are ok as he can pick up small things and he always watches people as they pass normally.

Would you be worried about this? I am a first time mum and I dont have anyone I can ask for support.

I don’t think it’s one of the more common traits but can be a sign of visual overstimulation. If he’s looking at absolutely everything sideways I would imagine it’s more likely to be a visual issue

Thank you for your reply. I will look into that and get his eyes tested. But I would like to know is this a real red flag for autism. That is what I thought?

Could need his eyes tested, his side vision may be clearer? I have astigmatism I can see a bit more clearly if I pull the skin either side of my eyes it’s weird