Expert: Jene Aviram - 8/14/2009

Question
Jene,
I know 6 months is too early to diagnose autism, but I am curious if there are some red flags. My son gives good eye contact unless he is being held. He rarely looks at me when I am giving him his bottle. Are these reasons to be concerned? Also he has not really started cooing. Also, has not been mimicing faces. Are these reasons for concern? Where do I go from here? Thanks in advance, Sarah

Answer
Hi Sarah,

You are right - 6 months is just way too early to tell.  Babies are all so different.  I have heard countless parents their child with autism was such a fussy baby, and countless others say their baby was as good as gold.  They are so diverse at this point that nothing really distinguishes them.

While babies typically do look at their mom when being fed, there are probably just as many that might not.  Your son is still developing his range of vision, and so this might come into play.  I don't think you need be concerned that your son is not mimicking faces.  

If I were in your shoes, I would voice all your concerns to your pediatrician.  This way they can keep an eye on it.  At each health checkup you can request that you'd like to make sure your baby is developing on track and they will tell what what milestones he should achieve.

I know it's hard not to worry.  But I can tell you that I've heard thousands of parents worry when their baby was this age, and a few months later, they simply can't believe they were ever concerned.  Your baby is growing every day and will develop in leaps and bounds.  I wish the very best.

Jene Aviram
http://www.nlconcepts.com