Worried 18 month son is autistic?

My first child has had a history of developmental delays. He has been with Early Intervention (State funded program) since 9 months old for PT; they were saying it looked like he had mild hypotonia. During this time, we noticed that he was having feeding difficulties. He had no interest in feeding himself, and wanted nothing to do with the food we ate. He always pulls a stink face and refuses another bite; eats stage 2 foods only.



When he was 12 months old, we discussed our concerns with his doctor and she recommended further therapy so we set him up with a local pediatric rehab clinic in town. His feeding therapist evaluated him and he failed on most social milestones, (wasn't pointing, waving, imitating, etc.). We also placed him in OT and has been pre-diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder.



A few weeks into therapy, his feeding therapist gave me several papers regarding autism and that she felt that my son needed to be tested for it sooner than later. I've been constantly worried about it ever sense. I decided to bring this up at my son's 15 month check up. Being a good doctor and sensing how worried I've been about his development, she referred us to the specialist team.



I heard that it can take months to get an appointment, so I called right away. I was scheduled an appointment when my son was 16.5 months old.



As with every child, each has their good things and the bad things:



Good things:



- Great eye contact

- Babbles frequently since 7 months old.

- Plays peek-a-boo with us. He looks for us when we play it. He doesn't cover his eyes yet, but I think it is related to his sensory issue

- He is pointing now. He is starting to learn to point to things he wants

- He is waving, but only waves when he wants, which seems to be about 33% of the time

- He loves to cuddle

- Generally seems attentive and alert and engaged

- He responds to his name about 70% of the time (the other times he may be distracted, other times, I'm not really sure why he isn't, his hearing is fine) Is 70% of the time at this age normal??

- He is a fast learner, just needs to be shown things over and over at first

- So far he hasn't regressed with anything

- When pointing to something, he looks to what we're pointing at most of the time

- Has some receptive language, about 30 words

- Can follow very basic simple commands, though lately not so much, but might be because he is finally learning to walk and might be getting in the way?

- Can do hand actions to songs (wheels on the bus, if you're happy and you know it)



Red Flags:



- He flaps his hands, usually when he is excited

- He was not pointing or waving at 12 months of age

- No words

- He loves ceiling fans

- He isn't playing with his toys the way he should. He is not spinning car wheels or lining up toys, he just bangs them together or shaking them, (what you would expect from an 8 month old). He drives cars slowly and cautiously

- Continues to have same feeding difficulties

- Sometimes he will open and close doors/drawers over and over. But he has never done this for more than about 2 minutes. He finds something else to do on his own.

- This one is concerning me the most, that I can't figure out what or why he does this, but it's a self stimming behavior that he trembles/shakes his arms and makes 'uh' sounds. He will usually look like he's staring at something while doing it. It looks like he is casting a spell. Usually he does this in the high chair, but has done it periodically about everywhere and can last seconds to minutes. He has done this since about 10 months old. He does this everyday, some days more than others. But it is embarrassing to me as he brings a lot of unnecessary attention to himself in public. I don't take him to restaurants anymore. We can snap him out of it by giving him toys, or singing to him. Sometimes he'll go back into it when we're done though. It's just exhausting to keep trying to distract him. We have been told that deep pressure helps, but I haven't had luck with that or from a SPIO suit.



My son has been seen by a developmental pediatrician, and other doctors present at that time. They feel that he is too engaging and they are not worried about autism. They said that his self stimming behaviors will go away through time. Should I see someone else? Did we take him in too early?



Sorry this is long, just thought I would get some insight from anyone! I feel so alone and confused that doctors have said no to autism.



As great of news as that is to hear, the fear of autism hasn't gone away. When my son is around other children, it is a constant reminder of how different he is. For example, he will just play with a car by himself, or notice that the wheels move on a shopping cart. He is overall attentive and alert, but there are times when I feel he is not. The selfWorried 18 month son is autistic?
I seriously think you are too anal. Chill out!



Your poor baby is fine, he is just being different. Jesus lady, those doctors are there for serious issues.



And if your biggest concern is that he embarrasses you at restaurants and you have to play with him to keep him quite. You need help.Worried 18 month son is autistic?
Since he has some strong features of an autistic spectrum disorder and some great strengths I would think it would be pretty clear cut that he is on the autistic spectrum and be given a diagnosis of Pervasive developmental delay or PDD.NOS (autistic features).



I'd suggest seeing a neurologist.



Autism is a spectrum disorder. Many people that fall on the autistic spectrum have loads of typical traits and also those without autism, can have an autism trait here or there and not be on the autistic spectrum. IT is not uncommon to have doctors reluctant to diagnose early when there is such strong neurotypical features such as eye contact, babbling etc.



I have 3 sons that have been diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder. My most autistic was clear cut and he was diagnosed at 9 months old be a pediatric neurologist. He would fixate on drawers and ceiling fans too, flapper as well, didn't play w/ toys appropriately. But also had no eye contact, didn't babble at all, ignored his name, unable to follow a point.... He is 5 and in the autism program.



I have 2 others that have been on the fence of a diagnosis. My oldest is PDD.NOS, he regressed, lined up toys. He improved a lot as he aged. He was initially diagnosed autistic spectrum 25m and PDD.NOS @ 6. My other son got an ADHD dx by 18m. By 3, was in the autism program with an autism dx. He remains in the program, however neuro now says no for autism. He is turning 5