RachelDevin
01-25-2006, 04:08 PM
I am one of the primary caretakers for my 8 month old grandson, so I have him here 4 to 5 days a week. He has been exhibiting symptoms that don't remind me of my own children at all and I am very nervous about it. By 4 months old, we were wondering if he were deaf or not, because he didn't seem to respond to noises or voices. That seemed to get better and now he smiles and plays with toys and seems to be a very happy child, but.....
He only responds to his name about 20% of the time. He flaps his hands over and over and over again whenever he is anxious. A few weeks ago he was making the b, m, w, p sounds, as well as numerous vowel sounds. Now the consonant sounds are all but gone. He looks at you, but you never get the feeling that he is really looking AT you. When we take him out in the stroller, he will play with the toys on the stroller, but will remain quiet during the entire outing. We were in the mall for about 1 1/2 hours last week and he didn't make a peep the whole time, as if he weren't even there.
I don't know if it's just that it's been a long time since I took care of a baby or if I should listen to my "gut" that's telling me that something just isn't right.
Do 8 month old babies hug back? Do they mimic yet? He does look up when the phone or doorbell rings and he knows to look at those objects when they ring. He laughs. He claps his hands when he's happy. I just don't know. Please tell me what you think.
Thank you so much.
Rachel
He only responds to his name about 20% of the time. He flaps his hands over and over and over again whenever he is anxious. A few weeks ago he was making the b, m, w, p sounds, as well as numerous vowel sounds. Now the consonant sounds are all but gone. He looks at you, but you never get the feeling that he is really looking AT you. When we take him out in the stroller, he will play with the toys on the stroller, but will remain quiet during the entire outing. We were in the mall for about 1 1/2 hours last week and he didn't make a peep the whole time, as if he weren't even there.
I don't know if it's just that it's been a long time since I took care of a baby or if I should listen to my "gut" that's telling me that something just isn't right.
Do 8 month old babies hug back? Do they mimic yet? He does look up when the phone or doorbell rings and he knows to look at those objects when they ring. He laughs. He claps his hands when he's happy. I just don't know. Please tell me what you think.
Thank you so much.
Rachel
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jeffreys mom
01-25-2006, 04:18 PM
Eight months is young however, my son was about 8 months when I suspected.
He should be babbling, looking when called by name, smiling and trying to engage back when you are talking to him. Look up Childbrain on the internet there is alot of good info there about the early stages. That's where I got alot of my info . Good Luck
He should be babbling, looking when called by name, smiling and trying to engage back when you are talking to him. Look up Childbrain on the internet there is alot of good info there about the early stages. That's where I got alot of my info . Good Luck
boysboysboys
01-25-2006, 05:33 PM
Hi,
I can totally sympathize with your situation. I was wondering about my son when he was that age too, but kept convincing myself he was alright. As hard as it is, I would recommend having him evaluated by a developmental pediatrician or pediatric neurologist as soon as possible. I waivered for a while before calling and now wish I had called sooner. My son does have Autism and now we are running into long waits for treatment. My sons (twin 3 year olds who both have Autism) have spent a year waiting for intensive therapy to start. We had to wait a few months to get in to see the Dr. for the evaluation, fill out paperwork and wait a few months to be approved, then go on another waiting list to start therapy. The procedure is different in every state, but from what I have read from other peoples accounts, waiting seems to be the norm. If you get the evaluation and everything looks good, that's great. If your grandson needs therapy, the sooner the better. Good luck and come back to this board often. There are a lot of really helpful people here.
I can totally sympathize with your situation. I was wondering about my son when he was that age too, but kept convincing myself he was alright. As hard as it is, I would recommend having him evaluated by a developmental pediatrician or pediatric neurologist as soon as possible. I waivered for a while before calling and now wish I had called sooner. My son does have Autism and now we are running into long waits for treatment. My sons (twin 3 year olds who both have Autism) have spent a year waiting for intensive therapy to start. We had to wait a few months to get in to see the Dr. for the evaluation, fill out paperwork and wait a few months to be approved, then go on another waiting list to start therapy. The procedure is different in every state, but from what I have read from other peoples accounts, waiting seems to be the norm. If you get the evaluation and everything looks good, that's great. If your grandson needs therapy, the sooner the better. Good luck and come back to this board often. There are a lot of really helpful people here.
aidymum
01-25-2006, 07:03 PM
Hi Rachel, I have an adorable wee boy with a diagnosis of Autism who is 7. He got his official diagnosis at age 3.
I too had suspicions something was wrong with my son when he was about 8 months old, for a lot of similar reasons that you have expressed. I can imagine you will be out of your mind with worry. My advice would be to deal with your concerns head on and speak to the child's Mum and other care givers to see if they have similar doubts. My general practioner, when I approached him ( after my mother and I had both thought that there was a problem), told me "When's mum's worried, I listen , when Mum and Granny are worried, I worry too". I know you don't want to give other family members worries if there is not a problem, but if you have that gut feeling, I would raise those concerns.
I would reccomend doing a CHAT test with him. This is usually done with children of 18 months, but it may give you some early indication if your concerns are illfounded or not. You can Google CHAT and it will throw up a lot of information. The "tests" are things like... Does the child answer to his/her name? Can they follow a pointing gesture? Can they have shared attention with you? You can run them yourself at home. Keep in mind that the wee one is only 8 months old and these tests are designed for children of 18 months.
Lots of parents and professionals have so many different views on causes and treatment of Autism, but the one thing everyone agrees with is early intervention is vitally important. Act now, it may not be autism, it may be a temporary delay, or just a developmental blip, but better to check it out and do something positive rather than just worrying and waiting.
Good luck, Aidymum x
I too had suspicions something was wrong with my son when he was about 8 months old, for a lot of similar reasons that you have expressed. I can imagine you will be out of your mind with worry. My advice would be to deal with your concerns head on and speak to the child's Mum and other care givers to see if they have similar doubts. My general practioner, when I approached him ( after my mother and I had both thought that there was a problem), told me "When's mum's worried, I listen , when Mum and Granny are worried, I worry too". I know you don't want to give other family members worries if there is not a problem, but if you have that gut feeling, I would raise those concerns.
I would reccomend doing a CHAT test with him. This is usually done with children of 18 months, but it may give you some early indication if your concerns are illfounded or not. You can Google CHAT and it will throw up a lot of information. The "tests" are things like... Does the child answer to his/her name? Can they follow a pointing gesture? Can they have shared attention with you? You can run them yourself at home. Keep in mind that the wee one is only 8 months old and these tests are designed for children of 18 months.
Lots of parents and professionals have so many different views on causes and treatment of Autism, but the one thing everyone agrees with is early intervention is vitally important. Act now, it may not be autism, it may be a temporary delay, or just a developmental blip, but better to check it out and do something positive rather than just worrying and waiting.
Good luck, Aidymum x
OrbieKL5
01-25-2006, 10:21 PM
I am not certain where you live, but under the assumption that you live in the US, I would get in contact with the Early Intervention (EI) agency in your state. They will come out and do a developmental assessment on him. EI should probably be able to come out and assess sooner than you'd be able to get him assessed by a developmental pediatrician, but if EI assesses him at below average skill level for his age, you will need an official diagnosis from a doctor in order to start services.
I would get on the ball as soon as possible, as wait lists are long, and the sooner, the better.
I would get on the ball as soon as possible, as wait lists are long, and the sooner, the better.
shooks
01-26-2006, 02:53 AM
Hi I also notice tthe same with my now 4 year old at that age I thought I was blessed with a quite baby(first one had colic). He did'nt want to be held , hated the car seat , hated to ride but would be so quite at outings other in car you would think he was asleep. He would feel like a board when you picked him up kinda like he would not conform to your body. He would not and still does not cry when he gets his shots but would scream in pain when placed on grass or the paper they put on the exam table at Dr. I would get the parent to look it up on line call the early devolpmental crew and get the baby assessed. It took me forever to find a Dr that would listen, I waited til he was 2 so they all said it was terrible 2's. Finally strange enough my baby Dr that I had when I was a baby seem him and sent him right away to a Developmental Ped, My advice If one Dr tells you nothing to worry about and you feel as if something is not right go to another one I did and I found one that asked tyhe questions all the others did not.Do not take wait and see or no for a answer if you feel like there is something not right...That is precious time that is lost and a milestone that could be saved. Good luck keep us informed if you have any luck....Jenna
bercol1
01-26-2006, 08:19 PM
youre story brought back memories for me. I had a few doubts about my son around the 12mth mark but any time i voice concerns, people would dismiss them, saying things like "boys are always slower" or "he's just being lazy as his sister is doing all the work for him" and so on. It was't till my mum (who had eight children of her own ) sat me down one day, when Anthony was around 17mths and told me that she felt things weren't right and that I should follow my instinct and get him checked out.
I was so glad, as she was the only person who backed up my worries.
I took Anthony along to my health visitor and she too backed me up and agreed that there were some concerns and referred him on to the Clinical psychologist and a paediatrcian.
i too would say follow your gut feelings.
Bernadette
I was so glad, as she was the only person who backed up my worries.
I took Anthony along to my health visitor and she too backed me up and agreed that there were some concerns and referred him on to the Clinical psychologist and a paediatrcian.
i too would say follow your gut feelings.
Bernadette
Beautifulchild
01-27-2006, 12:08 AM
I didn't suspect autism as early as eight months, but now when I look back I can see signs were already there. My son was also a ' perfect ' baby. I could take him anywhere and he would be so quiet. I just thought that I was blessed with the most well behaved baby ever!
My son would respond to me and my mother whenever we spoke to him. But he would not really respond to many other people, including his father. The only time he would look at him was if he was feeding him.
Have you discussed your concerns with the child's parents? This can be very difficult if they have no concerns of their own. I would breach the subject as gently as possible, because some parents get extremely upset when somebody questions their childrens abilities. ( Although personally I wished my family would have said something earlier instead of waiting until I told them my suspicions.
I would also consider a hearing test because he may just have difficulties with hearing people in certain positions or if there is other background noise distracting him. It is not always easy to pick up hearing problems as most people can hear most things but not all (Just going by family members who have hearing problems with one ear).
Just keep monitoring your grandson's progress and if you are still concerned try to take him to your local early childhood clinic. If your gut feeling is strong do not take no for an answer. Keep talking until somebody listens! Many of us here have had to do that to get someone to take us seriously.
Good luck and let us know how you go. :wave:
My son would respond to me and my mother whenever we spoke to him. But he would not really respond to many other people, including his father. The only time he would look at him was if he was feeding him.
Have you discussed your concerns with the child's parents? This can be very difficult if they have no concerns of their own. I would breach the subject as gently as possible, because some parents get extremely upset when somebody questions their childrens abilities. ( Although personally I wished my family would have said something earlier instead of waiting until I told them my suspicions.
I would also consider a hearing test because he may just have difficulties with hearing people in certain positions or if there is other background noise distracting him. It is not always easy to pick up hearing problems as most people can hear most things but not all (Just going by family members who have hearing problems with one ear).
Just keep monitoring your grandson's progress and if you are still concerned try to take him to your local early childhood clinic. If your gut feeling is strong do not take no for an answer. Keep talking until somebody listens! Many of us here have had to do that to get someone to take us seriously.
Good luck and let us know how you go. :wave:
Tylers_Mommy
01-28-2006, 10:34 PM
Rachel,
I have a 14 month old child who we believe is Autistic but not yet diagnosed. We are right in the middle of starting everything as we speak. I don't know how it is where you live but the Intervention group asked me to get Ty a hearing test asap just in case it could be that the little guy has hearing problems. Of course, my son wont cooperate so we have to put him through a sedated hearing exam. I would talk to the Mom and get the ball rolling. The early intervention program I go through said that it was great that I had mentioned Tyler's problems so early. (he was 12 months old when I first contacted them) It gives children a much much better chance the earlier these problems are caught.
I am new here but these guys are great!
Glad I found this board!!!
~ :jester: April
I have a 14 month old child who we believe is Autistic but not yet diagnosed. We are right in the middle of starting everything as we speak. I don't know how it is where you live but the Intervention group asked me to get Ty a hearing test asap just in case it could be that the little guy has hearing problems. Of course, my son wont cooperate so we have to put him through a sedated hearing exam. I would talk to the Mom and get the ball rolling. The early intervention program I go through said that it was great that I had mentioned Tyler's problems so early. (he was 12 months old when I first contacted them) It gives children a much much better chance the earlier these problems are caught.
I am new here but these guys are great!
Glad I found this board!!!
~ :jester: April
Cantdoitagain
01-30-2006, 12:46 PM
At 9 months I suspected and said something to our GP and he said wait until our 12 month visit. I should have not waited. For my son 3 months may have made a difference in getting better care - getting the ball rolling sooner.
So....I know you are the grandmother. How is your child feeling about her son? Would she accept your advice? I would have her look into it. Now keep in mind that children do grow at their own pace and some are slower than the average. That is why the milestones have a range. At the very least he should have a hearing test done. My son is turning 3 in March and we are still yet to be diagnosed. He doesn't babble yet at all and he started walking at 20 months and still is only crawling up and bum scooting down the stairs.
Good luck and let us know how you all are doing.
So....I know you are the grandmother. How is your child feeling about her son? Would she accept your advice? I would have her look into it. Now keep in mind that children do grow at their own pace and some are slower than the average. That is why the milestones have a range. At the very least he should have a hearing test done. My son is turning 3 in March and we are still yet to be diagnosed. He doesn't babble yet at all and he started walking at 20 months and still is only crawling up and bum scooting down the stairs.
Good luck and let us know how you all are doing.