Very Early Autism Signs In Our Baby (5 to 12 months)

As first time parents we knew very little about child development until it became obvious at about 13/14 months old that our autistic son Dexter wasn't developing typically. But were there signs of autism before that? We take a walk down memory lane and discuss baby videos of Dexter and possible traits that were present from very early on.

[Mrs.Silversmith]

Here are some things my mother noticed about me when I was a baby: I did not like to be held by anyone including family, I liked to bounce excessively back and forth when sitting, and once I could move I would move away from the sound of voices. The not wanting to be held is particularly noteworthy because physical contact is usually soothing for babies, not stressful. When I became a toddler I would actually be combative towards people trying to pick me up. Caregivers had to pick me up from behind or I would take a swing at them. My mother did eventually teach me to be able to tolerate and appreciate physical contact by the time I was about 5 or 6, so don't panic and think some of these extreme reactions are insurmountable.

[lovelife]

Thank you for this video. This is such an eye opener! My son is 31 and second child and we always knew him as a child he was not like the normal baby and child. Even to this day he is a strange kind of person with all kinds of quirks or social behavior. He would also not sit long in a high baby chair and even in a stroller. Sadly no one could help us identify his condition. And we took him to many professionals including a professor, school psychologist, medical examiner, and Doctor in education. He also did not talk at three years, but as soon he went to the speech therapist he learned very quickly. Even the speech therapist was amazed at how fast he learned.

[thelost]

We have that experience, too. My eldst daughter is autistic. I knew what sings to look for early on since I took child psychology in school. I realized early on she was exhibiting some signs and I suspected as much, but there were SO many subtle signs I missed that we only realized AFTER my second daughter was born and we got to see the actually difference. Little things, like the amount of engaging my second daughter did compared to my first. My second daughter was always looking at us, copying exactly what we did, interacting with us and snuggling and engaging and communicating in her own baby-type way. But my eldest did her own thing. She wouldn't copy us or necessarily even look at us if we said something like, "Hello!". She didn't like being touched, either. Right from birth she hated people touching her. At 8 months she no longer let me hold her to feed, and at just before two years she refused to ever let me pick her up again. All hugging was done backwards. She didn't smile for the first four months. To us, all of it seemed "normal" except the not smiling. But to further throw things off she had 20 words when she hit a year old, and by the time she turned two she was regularly using 2000 words in full scentences. (When she hit 200 words at a year and 8 months we started writing them down because it was sort of crazy I wanted to remember what they were, then as more and more got added on we just kept making the list). She didn't seem autistic in that sense, but in others things started to become clearer, such as the fact she couldn't use those push-toys that you ride on with wheels. When on playground equipement she would randomly "let go", and fall. She had no gross motor skills to speak of. She didn't learn to ride a trike until she was 4, and not well, either. And she couldn't ride a two wheeler until she was 8. But what really made us get her diagnosed was her interactions with other kids. In preschool her teachers pointed out she handled social situations very oddly for a child her age. She would ask groups of kids playing if "they would mind" of she joined in. In return these other 3 years olds would look at her like she was nuts. They said it was odd she didn't just start playing like other kids would. Then in junior kindergarten when she was 4 I knew it was time to get her tested when it was clear she wasn't acknowledging other children. They'd say hi and she'd just ignore them. They'd give her a birthday invite and she's look at it and put it down and keep walking away. She COULD engage if she was asked to, but she didn't seem to realize on her own that people and friends were a good thing to have. And what's even more amazing is that years later when she talks about her experiences as a young child she remembers starting school and thinking all people, everywhere were like just objects that were there for her to use or interact with if she wanted. She didn't see them as people, like her. Now she does, of course. She's made leaps and bounds over the years in terms of her ability to be social. But at the beginning it was like pulling teeth to get her to realize that people talking to her meant she should talk back. But our second was a natural social butterfly from very early on. It's funny how having something to compare it with (and no 'compare" as in comparing the children, but more the experience) made all the difference in finally understanding what subtle symptoms were there from the beginning.

[kizzyorberg]

I have realized that in the old days when they didn’t have as much information, Those signs would have passed as simple as just a slow development. Just late speakers. But now things can be noticed earlier, we have more info to relate about. Thanks for sharing

[julespatterson]

I am an SLP on a diagnostic team for toddlers and preschoolers in the US. I love your videos. You give parents and families so much wonderful insight, accurate information and beautiful encouragement. I can’t get enough of your videos. God bless your family. Thank you for all the help you are providing to so many families!

[dharminderpuri]

Your husband looks like George Clooney....

[loveitorleaveit]

My granddaughter was the 5th child of my daughter and because she was a neglectful mom, Grace never got screened or helped until she was 4, but now that she is with some caring and loving fosters, she is doing amazing and we are all so heartwarmed. I remember her as a baby and showing many signs that my daughter refused to acknowledge. Grace didn't even want anyone else to look at her much less hold her or cuddle her.
Now Grace carries on conversations with us and her sisters and is integrating into a regular classroom. Because of her progress we call her amazing.. Amazing Grace. You can't even cuddle her enough now she is so loving and interactive with everybody !!

[randomvintagefilm]

The saddest part is that they don't respond when you call their name.

[domrobinson]

i have a 13 yr old who is severely asd. I know that there were many MANY signs since birth of his autism. I had only been around disabled young adults, older children. So, I didnt completely understand what I was seeing. But now, All the times he did certain things or required being held by me and only me in a somewhat tight manner, he was needing the feeling on pressure and he didnt babble or talk because of asd. He had soooo many signs that a doctor who knew asd, could have seen and had early intervention. But, sadly, doctors had no clue and left me to figure it out on my own. Which I did, but he did suffer from me not knowing how to teach a tot on the spectrum.

[selinamattocks]

We have an older grandson who is autistic, he is high functioning, very clever but on the go constantly. Has alot of sensory issues, styms and masks alot. Our 12mth old grandson, is the happiest baby, failed his 12mth health check miserably. He cant clap, babble, he isnt trying to crawl, pull himself up or trying to walk. So were pretty sure he has autism. But he wont get a diagnosis til about 2/3 yrs old. But he is a very happy little boy. He is going on a 6wk course to help him out. We noticed differences with both of them when they hit 6mths old. Thank you for doing this video ❤

[shaziahussain]

It’s a wonderful thing to spread positivity among parents with autistic child. Great video thanks for sharing

[kristinamoussa]

You two have the most beautiful, genuine, warm and loving energy! I hope my husband and I are like you guys

[Kumuda_Anand]

You are absolutely fantastic parents, dexter is adorable ! Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[cheleholsted]

Thank you for posting. I always love seeing you guys. My little guy just started pre-school in August and he's surprisingly doing well.
I'm still not getting any therapys yet so we're still waiting. But they have been doing a lot with him at school. So I guess that's better than nothing lol

[AngelinaATF]

You seem like such wonderful parents! Both of your boys are lucky to have you! When times get tough - & they will as we all have our time - just stick together & be kind to one another, always. Loved your video!👍👍👍💟

[daniellegarner]

Mr. Clooney looks a lot like your husband! Thank you for the information. My 7 year old is high-level autistic and my 1 year old daughter is showing signs...

[akidemigod]

Hand flapping is common but if it's repetitive and longer that could be a sign.

[ItzKitty]

It’s hard to understand with you guys speaking over each other.

[ashely]

BTW: I’m sure you have heard but Your husband looks like George Clooney.

Anyway, your little boy is adorable and my son did not start developing signs until 2.5 years old. He was an early talker, he potty trained very early and simply did stuff early. He was a later onset and diagnosed at the age of five. He is now what we consider high functioning and every day his behaviors are getting better. I often wonder what made things change. Good luck in your Journey ;)

[autismkitchentabletalk]

So adorable!! It’s so true being a first time parent you really wouldn’t know. Nicholas being my fourth child I knew very early that something wasn’t quite right. I had three daughters first so I did question myself if it was just the difference between boys and girls and or being the baby... but something kept tugging on my gut that something was not typical