Expert: Jene Aviram - 6/23/2010

Question
Hello there,

I am worried about my 10 month old baby. Im concerned about autism.
She will not copy sounds such as coughing or dadada. I am also concerned that she does not wave yet. She does clap, but not usually on demand! are these a sign of autism?
She does babble bababa and dadada when she feels like it, but not mamama. She makes some other sounds such as tata too.
She points a finger at things, but only pointing them out to herself, she does not use the point to 'ask' for something/ show me things.
She does occasionaly offer me or another baby a toy.
She can crawl normally but not quite pulling up to stand yet.
She will turn to her name (or maybe just to voice- how do you tell if she's turning ot name?)

Thank you for your advice.

Rebecca

Answer
Hi Rebecca,

It's way too early for you to start worrying about autism.  Not only that, but I don't think you're going to need to worry either!  Firstly, toddlers with autism only start presenting the diagnosis when they are 18 months.  You'd have to be pretty severe to suspect it in a 10 month old.  Obviously not the case with your daughter.

She's a little late with gestures and imitation but that doesn't point to autism.  It's great that she has sounds and is babbling.  Her gross motor skills sound just fine.  Whether she turns to her name or your voice is the same thing really.  We're interested to see whether she will stop what she's doing and pay attention to you.  And she does.  She is already pointing things out - and it's fine that she's doing it for herself at this stage.  Pointing things out to others doesn't start until later.  Offering you and others a toy is great - and this will probably increase in frequency.

All in all, if you're worried, keep an eye on her milestones and mention any concerns you have to your pediatrician.  As she grows you'll get a much clearer picture of whether you need to seek some extra support to help her along with skills such as speech.

I hope this has been of some help.

Jene Aviram
http://www.nlconcepts.com