Questions - Autism Spectrum Message Board

nuni · 04-30-2009, 05:52 PM

Hi everyone,

I need you guys to either easy my concerns or push me to see a specialist....
My baby boy is 11 months old and he is the joy of my life! He is doing pretty much what a 11 months old should do...
What I am concerned about:
-he doesn't make eye contact all the time, sometimes he refuses to look me in the eyes even if I call his name.
-he doesn't always answers his name....especially if he is doing something else. I would say 70% of the time he answers.
- when he plays he doesn't look at me to "show me" what he is doing or looking for approval.
- he does not seem very interested in toys although he plays with them appropriately, I would say, he does spin wheels but not for long and he does not seem very interested in doing it.
-he is not crawling yet
-he does not walk , just started to pull himself up in his crib only by grabbing the bars. he also started timidly to cruise
- he says mama dada but not intentionally , a few days ago I think he called me while he was trying to reach a toy , did not repeat that yet....
- he does not point or name any object/person.
- does not waive bye bye
We went to see our pediatrician today, he said that he develops at his own rhythm and that he is not concerned about autism at this point.
He is a quite happy baby, gets excited when dad comes at home, he wants me to pick him up all the time, he does not like to cuddle too much though....

Please share your stories with me! I feel that I am going crazy here....I cry everyday thinking that something might be wrong with him....He is my only child and such a gorgeous baby!

Mira11 · 05-01-2009, 01:47 AM

Hi - I kind of agree with your ped. that it doesn't have to sound like autism at this time. He seems pretty social from what you're saying. Does he get scared in places like malls and grocery stores or department stores? Does he often avert his eyes away from you in a deliberate way? Does he make babbling/cooing sounds?

I think it's very good that you're thinking of this at an early age and I think it would give you more answers and more direction if you had him seen by a developmental ped who is expert in looking for indicators. It couldn't hurt to have him seen, but my gut instinct is that he's unfolding at his own pace. Did the ped give any input about the not crawling (and BTW my son who does have autism crawled and walked at the developmental right times) so I don't think that's an indicator. He may be pretty content where he is but perhaps a devel. ped. could give you tips for the crawling if they felt it appropriate.

Let us know what happens. And enjoy your darling little boy!

nuni · 05-01-2009, 06:39 AM

Hi Mira,

Thanks for taking time to read and answer my post.
To answer your questions: he does not get scared when we go shopping to malls, supermarkets, etc. Also when we take the elevator he smiles at people and if they smile back he seems to be happy.
Sometimes yes he avoids my eyes it is like he does not want to look me in the eye....Like this morning I took him in my bed, he sleeps separately in his crib but the same room as me, he would not look me in the eyes, he was watching the pillows, blanket...and finally when I started to make noises and to redirect his eyes, he would look me in the eyes but not for long....It makes me so sad because I so much want to cuddle with him, but he seems not to like cuddling......

As about babbling...he does babble, he makes funny noises with his tongue or from his throat....not very "talkative" though...some days are better than others.
Other things...he eats well, he weighs 24 pounds, he sleeps the whole night, some nights he might be quite restless but does not wake up until the morning...he seems to enjoy the company of other babies/children, when we go out he looks around at cars, people, dogs, etc.
I hope this gives you a better image.

Thank you.

Mira11 · 05-01-2009, 04:13 PM

nuni - you know, some babies are just not as "cuddly oriented" as others. i have seen this over and over and if anything, it means more of an independent personality. your baby does sound quite social. if you're concerned, as i said it wouldn't hurt to get a consultation with a developmental pediatrician. what's ironic is that my son, now age 21, has and has always had great eye contact with myself and my husband; it's with strangers that he used to avert his eyes.