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Autism/FOLLOW-UP Autism/7.5 month old babbling - is it normal?

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Expert: - 3/2/2011


Question
Hi Valerie - Thanks for your response.  I wanted to report that joint attention is now improving! When i read to him, he very often looks at the book, then back at me, and then back at the book.  Same thing with playing.  I had just a couple of follow-up questions / clarifications - especially on your comment about "his eye contact - hard to say."  So do you mean that when he babbles by himself and not looking at us it is a red flag?  He looks at us for all other things like gazes at me and when i kiss him he smiles, or when he plays peekaboo excellent eye contact, shouts to get our attention and has eye contact then, etc.  it's just when he's babbling that he doesn't look at us.  What does this mean????  what could be the cause of this? is this normal? It's soo hard not to worry!

Answer
Hi Karla

Since he makes good eye contact the rest of the time, I wouldn't worry. I know it's hard not to-but children don't do everything by the book. We look at the entire picture, and I don't see anything right now that stands out as a concern. Get back to me at 9 months to see if there is more babbling and some jargoning

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Valerie Herskowitz

Expertise

I am an autism expert and speech pathologist (for over 30 years). I am also the parent of a child with autism. I can answer any question on autism dealing with communication, education, behavior and diet. I cannot answer questions that are medical in nature or are dealing with medications.

Experience

I have run a therapy center for individuals with autism since 1981. I lecture all over the country. I also teach classes on autism on line.

Organizations
Vice President of Communications Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Member American Speech and Hearing Association, MembernAutism Society of America, President of the National Autism Registry, Vice President of the Association for Developmentally Disabled Adults and Adolescents.

Publications
Autism Society of America's national publication (September 2008). Advance Magazine, South Florida Parenting, Spectrum Magazine, I am the author of: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology (available:www.valerieherskowitz.com)

Education/Credentials
I have a masters degree in speech pathology

Awards and Honors
I won a Stevie Award in 2004: Lifetime Achievement Award for my work with individuals with autism. My therapy center won, Judge's Choice Award Best Center in South Florida by South Florida Parenting magazine 2005.

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