Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 1/28/2011

Question
Hello,

My son is just over 10 months old, however was 7 weeks premature so will be 9 months corrected next week. I have realised that he rarely, if ever, responds to his name. I think the times that he does respond he is looking up at our voice rather than his name.

He does babble (ma-ma, da-da, na-na) however does not imitate our sounds and will not have a 'conversation' or babble back and forth with us.

His eye contact is pretty good, however I have noticed when holding him he won't always look at us. He has just had a big leap in gross motor skills and is now crawling and pulling himself up on furniture to stand. Fine motor skills are also on track.

He can clap, but does not wave yet. He also can not yet follow a point. He is very social and enjoys interacting with people. He does not have any fear of strangers and is quite happy to go to anyone and is not particularly attached to me (his mother). He loves when I play peek-a-boo but will not play himself.

Should I be worried about autism? I have spoken with our child health nurse, howver she said to just wait and see if he starts to respond to his name, but I can't help worrying.

Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Holly

Well, I have to agree with the nurse. It's not clear cut. He is babbling and is very social, which is really good. But there are some concerns you have about him responding appropriately. So, though I know you are worried, you aren't really going to know what's up for another 2 months or so. So write me back in two months and let's look at his progress