Expert: James Michael Roan - 1/21/2009

Question
I am a first time parent and due to this have some concerns as to what is normal for a 10 month old and what is cause for concern.

My daughter tends to not look at the person holding her. If I am holding her she will look at her father and smile and play, but if I call her name and try to look at her she does not look. She does wave and babbles something like bye bye when we drop her off at daycare and she does clap on occasion and she bangs her toys together. She also does not ALWAYS look when you call her name. I would say she does 80% of the time but definitely not always. I guess my question is should i be concerned about the eye contact and the response to name. In all other aspects she appears to be developing normally. She will hand you a toy and she is all over us when we are playing on the floor with her.. I don't want to be obsessive but I know that early detection is key.

Answer
Hi Bren;

I find it quite common for infants to not look at caregivers who are holding them but will look at them from a short distance. An 80% response rate to her name being called is acceptable. At this age we are looking for social and communication delays. Waving and bringing you objects is good at this age. There are many forms of communication, verbal and nonverbal. Eye contact, social smiles, waving, babbling "bye-bye" are all good things and indicate social interest and communication. Is she interested in others her age? I suspect she is.

Kind regards,
James












Disclaimer:
While James Michael Roan has attempted to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, the information is provided in good faith without any express or implied warranty. The purpose of this web site is to provide information to families with children, teens, and adults with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delay. James Michael Roan does not prefer any one organization to another, and it is not responsible for the information listed on an organization's web site, or any disseminated information either verbal or written. Please be advised we are not giving medical advice and that circumstances can dictate different treatments. If these issues affect you or your loved ones you should seek professional advice. This site is operated for informational purposes only. At no time will James Michael Roan attempt to diagnose or dismiss a potential diagnosis over the Internet. We hope that you find my resources useful.



Bio

James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting psychologist responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.