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Autism/10 month old arm flapping, yelling

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Expert: - 7/28/2009


Question

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Hi, I'm concerned that my 10 month old girl may be showing signs of autism.  She is very interactive, lots of eye contact and smiles.  But she is a little slow w/ her babbling... does some ma, ba, ga, da, ugs and oohs but mostly lots of loud AHHH sounds.  She also flaps her arms quite a bit.  She is incredible interested in books, possibly in just turning pages.  She waves hi but not bye.  Responds to her name probably 80% of the time.  Responds to simple requests about 1/2 the time.  She is our first child and she doesn't get a lot of interaction w/ other kids so I don't know what her socialization is like w/ other children.  She does like to play w/ us, initiates peek-a-boo etc.  I'm mostly worried because of the yelling and arm flapping.  I've attached a picture of her yelling and the face she makes when she does it.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Sarah,

Your baby is gorgeous!  Too cute for words!  
She is very young but by what you've said I don't think you have any reason for concern.  All babies develop at different rates and I think her babbling is just fine.  She is definitely making the consonant sounds, even if the AHH sounds are more frequent at this point.
The arm flapping would not concern me at this stage.  Babies are still developing their motor skills at this age.  As she grows, she will find other ways of expressing her joy and excitement.  Responding to her name 80% of the time at 10 months old is very good indeed!  So is her eye contact and initiation.
I know it's hard not to worry but I don't think you have cause for concern.  Enjoy her!

Jene Aviram
http://www.nlconcepts.com

Jene Aviram

Expertise

How do you know if your child has autism? If you're concerned about your child's behavior and would like to know if they're symptoms of autism, I can help you. If you need behavior and parenting strategies, I have many suggestions and ideas to help you. I can also help you with questions on ABA therapy. I cannot answer biomedical questions.

Experience

I am one of the co-founders of Natural Learning Concepts, a manufacturing company for autism and special education materials. I am an author and writer and my work on the autism spectrum is frequently published by many organizations and renowned magazines. My son has Aspergers and my nephew has autism.

Publications
Autism/Aspergers Digest Autism Society of America Autism Today Issue Spirit Magazine The Autism Perspective Magazine Yahoo News Parenting Magazine

Education/Credentials
My original background and education is computer network engineering. A turn of events led me to switch careers in early 2000 when my passion and driving force became helping people on the autism spectrum. I then co-founded a successful company that helps people on the autism spectrum every day.

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