Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 12/30/2011

Question
Hi Valerie, I really need your help. My daughter is 4 months old and acts exactly as in the email below. I wanted to know if the lady who wrote this email got back to you and what happened with her baby. Do you know if the baby is OK now?

Please help! Thanks in advance!!!

Autism/baby not coo'ing
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Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 8/12/2009


Question
QUESTION: Valerie,
My four month old son is not reaching certain milestones and I would like some advice please. He started coo'ing at 2.5 months, but this has stopped. He only makes noises occasionally. He socially laughs and smiles, but this does not occur regularly. Eye contact is good, unless he is being held, then he looks everywhere else. He has yet to immitate my facial expressions. I also notice he does not use both sides evenly. His right hand is more dominant than the left when reaching for toys and putting them in his mouth. Please give any input or advice please. Thank you in advance, Sarah

ANSWER: Hard to say because he is so young. I would get his hearing checked right off since he stopped babbling. Has he had ear infections or colds or allergies?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Valerie,
My son is now 5.5 months old. His heating was checked. Both left and right ears passed. He still rarely makes noises and vowels rarely exist. He vocalizes the most when sleepy or right before he's going to cry. His eye contact is still limited. His doctor said not to worry about the lack of cooing since he turns to sound, has laughed occasionaly, and grunts. This does not sit well with me. As a speech pathologist what would you do at this point? Have you come across 6 month olds that don't coo but end up being able to communicate later? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks, Sarah

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Answer
Hi Sarah

The answer to your question is "yes." Some children coo later, though he should have started already. Let's not get too worried since you took him to the doctor, but let's keep watch for another 3 months. By then, there should be cooing and more interest in you when you speak to him as well as babbling. So get back to me in a few months.

Answer
Hi Belinda

No-she hasn't

If your baby is only 4 months old, I wouldn't worry too much, however, getting the hearing checked would be a good idea. Certainly, by 4-5 months, there should be some cooing and babbling starts around 6 months.

Hope this helps