Expert: James Michael Roan - 1/5/2008

Question
Hello
i am writing with a few concerns for my just turning 9 month old... i  am concerned about his eye contact its not as consistent as i thought it would be. Especially when he is sitting  on my lap facing me  or just playing facing towards me ..he will not look at me even if try to make him he will purposely look to  the  side or  put his head back.  when his is  on the  floor playing and we call  his name he does look for a brief bit but  he dose not hold his attention with us. also when i hold him while feeding him a bottle he will not look at me or gaze into my eyes. we do have moments through out  the day where we play and i tickle him and he plays along as well as laughs a  lot   but for the  most part i just don't feel that his eye contact is consistent.i also feel that he is a little to comfortable playing   by himself and  can do so for a while.  He also has a problem with scratching him self a lot especially when he is upset.. which almost seams like a repetitive motion ( since birth )but im just not sure if this is just how he expresses his anger?? or something more........ my son never cries and seams to be  a very happy content baby but i  just feel that he's not attached to  me like he should be. Because of  all the talk and finding on autism now of days i am  vary concerned and cant help but worry ..i will be patiently waiting for your advice regarding  my concerns it would help  a lot!!!
Thank you
concerned mommy

Answer
Hi Cassandra;

I always trust a mother's intuition! Always. The best reliable predictor of risk for autism at this age as established by the current research is "failing to orient to name." When you walk into a room where he's playing and you call his name, does he look up at you, in your eye? I have included a list of red flags for autism below for you to review and comment back to me on. Early detection results in early intervention and that's essential for a good outcome. The earlier the better. If you live in the U.S. you can get an assessment and services through the Early Intervention program at the school district in which you live. Remember, even if he doesn't have autism, early intervention services will only improve his language, social, and cognitive development.

6-12 Month Markers:

•   Passivity and decreased activity
•   Extreme distress reactions
•   Fixation on objects

By 12 Months:

•   Decreased positive affect and social smiling
•   Delayed gesture and language
•   Poor or no eye contact
•   Poor disengagement of attention
•   Inability to shift attention back and forth between different stimuli
•   Failure to orient to name
•   Poor imitation
•   No babbling by 12 months
•   No gesturing by 12 months

By 16 Months:

•   No single words by 16 months
•   No pointing to objects or interesting events in an attempt to share them with another

By 24 Months:

•   No spontaneous two-word phrases

Kind regards and don't give up!

-James