Expert: Trey McGowan - 2/26/2009

Question
My son is 13 months old and walking, climbing, claps hands,
reaches for objects while making sounds, understands a lot,
listens to commands, has great eye contact, responds to his
name 99% of the time, smiles and laughs a lot, plays peek a
boo, says mama dada, his own name, tea, baby, and ball. he
is very social and shrieks with joy when his father comes
home in the evenings, fetches things for me when asked
without me making any kind of gestures, he also points with
his whole hand and sometimes uses his index finger to show
what he wants and what he likes. My chief concern which is
really bothering me is that he still does not wave, but I
also must confess that I have not practiced it much with
him,so is it a matter of great concern? as I am very
worried. I also must mention that he puts things in and out
of containers, imitates me using the vaccum, and pushes our
vaccum stick, he also imitates us chewing, and coughs to
get our attention, even tries to make us laugh. He plays
ball by throwing it back and forth, but waving is my main
concern, please answer my question so that I am a little at
ease as I keep thinking about the red flags of autism
thanks a ton---Bani

Answer
Hi there, Bani!

It is obvious that you have done research on the autistic signs and symptoms, to be able to show the list of them so easily. However, one thing you have apparently missed in the list is that no one single symptom creates the issue of 'autism'. Rather, autism is a group of symptoms. The 'red flags' are simply the most 'telling' of the symptoms, as opposed to being the only ones to worry about.

'Waving' is not a red flag of autism. Or rather, it is, but more importantly the red flag is 'No gestures'. You mention yourself that he points, he claps, he reaches for items, and he even fetches things for you. The lack of waving is, therefore, not a red flag so much as potentially just a quirk. Had your child not done *any* of the signs and gestures, then there would be reason for concern, yes. But the loss of one is something to keep an eye on; not what I would consider a 'red flag'.

Also remember that when it comes to red flags, generally 'two or more' need to show up. One single red flag may definitely be the sign of some developmental trouble or slowness, but is not usually a cause for panic unless it is extremely profound. It is when two or more show up that the alarms go off and a pattern may be established.

So in short (too late, Trey!), keep an eye on it, but no. You shouldn't be worried. And I'm not a doctor, so take that with a grain of salt if you wish. :)

Feedback? Follow-ups? Questions? Comments? Feel free to answer!

Trey