Hi IMs
I know this can be a touchy subject and I don't want to step on anyone's toes I am just going off the little info I have.
My 11 month old is very funny around things like being touched, he very often shoves my hands away and does not like to be cuddled. Being carried is okay for about 5 mins as long as we are moving then he has to be let go of. Not to go anywhere he just doesn't want to be touched. The same issue goes for straps in prams and car seats
Also quite often when myself and my husband are talking or the TV may be on a tiny bit louder than usual he covers his ears. He just holds his little hands over them until I put his noise cancelling headphones on and then he will take them off maybe about 15 mins later. This includes places like shopping centres and if people are too close for his liking he covers his ears and closes his eyes.
He is very active, relatively happy child. Doesn't sleep through the night but it's nothing crazy.
What are your thoughts? Is this a phase? Could it be precursor for potentially being on the spectrum? Hyper sensitivity? I know that no testing can be done now as he is too young.
I just wanted others opinions or maybe you had a baby who just grew out of It?
Thanks
3 Replies
Maybe, maybe not. It's not really enough for me to go on, I work with children of all ages who are on the spectrum and my 22 year old son was diagnosed at 2 years old.
Those things you describe could be just a normal phase.
Your child is only 11 months so finding someone to run a diagnosis at that age is tricky. Although I do know of children with older siblings on the spectrum who have been given a provisional diagnosis at that age.
Personally I'd watch and wait for the next few months. Read up on autism and 'red flags'. In hindsight my son was showing signs from birth. Id look at the info on the raising children network webpage or Autism Awareness Australia.
He could be a sensory kid. Sensory issues is commonly a part of autism but not all sensory kids have autism. Write it down, bring it up at health checks, see a doctor if it interferes with him living life, until then treat it like its real pain even if the same wouldnt hurt you, find ways to help him cope.
keep it all logged though because when hes older they will look back at his whole history.
Yes there is early screening available.
Aspect (autism Australia) do an assessment called 'My Early Development' for kids 12 months - 2 year old. The standard autism assessment Aspect do is for kids 2 years and older.
Keep a journal of what you observe, even video some behaviors for a record.
Get a referral to a Paediatrician and go from there.
Don't be fobbed off, even if there's no diagnosis for now, accessing help and support from a good occupational therapist would be beneficial. There might be specific early intervention playgroups you can attend.