Not Following A Point

oliversmommy32912 · June 2013

I'm not usually one to freak out over milestones. I know that every child develops at their own pace and I don't usually even look at the lists. However, I happened to see a milestone list and thought I would just check to see what I can expect this year as far as development goes. For 12 months it says to call a doctor if your child isn't looking where you point because it is an early sign of autism.

DS is almost 15 months and isn't looking where I point. He does seem to be right on track for other skills. He points to things on his own, knows 8+ words, babbles a lot, responds to his name, doesn't seem to have any sensory issues, etc. I don't feel worried about this but I'm wondering if I SHOULD feel worried. Is this really something I need to call our doctor for? His next appointment is at 18 months. Should I just wait and bring it up then?

Any other 15 month olds out there not doing this?

Jmcmahon21 · June 2013

I don't think I would be worried, kids are easily distracted and I'm not sure why they would say that would be autism right off the bat. I think that autism is brought up too much and freaks too many mom's out. It sounds like he's doing great with everything else. I wouldn't be worried but you could always ask Ped at next visit.

StacyJYay · June 2013

I'd try having an adult friend or grandparent do the pointing and see if LO follows then. I know that my LO is a lot better at responding to his name when it isn't mom or dad doing the calling. I certainly wouldn't be too concerned, as your LO's development seems on track from what you've described, but you certainly can raise it at LO's next wellness check-up (or sooner if you feel that your worries will get the best of you before then). Is there any chance this could be a vision issue? I'm not at all suggesting that it is, just helping to trouble-shoot!

oliversmommy32912 · June 2013

StacyJYay:
I'd try having an adult friend or grandparent do the pointing and see if LO follows then. I know that my LO is a lot better at responding to his name when it isn't mom or dad doing the calling. I certainly wouldn't be too concerned, as your LO's development seems on track from what you've described, but you certainly can raise it at LO's next wellness check-up (or sooner if you feel that your worries will get the best of you before then). Is there any chance this could be a vision issue? I'm not at all suggesting that it is, just helping to trouble-shoot!

Thanks you two. Like I said I don't really feel worried. It's still good to hear that I probably shouldn't be.

I've thought about it being a vision thing. I don't know how I could test that. I'll ask his doctor about it at his 18 month. I think the most likely culprit is he's just a busy boy and is stubborn. He has a lot of skills that he uses all the time but he doesn't perform on demand. Like waving...if I say "wave" or "bye bye" he won't wave, but if someone is leaving he will surprise us with a wave out of the blue. He also gives kisses but if he doesn't want to do it he will turn away and give a nice dramatic "noooo". So it might not be that he can't do it, it might just be that he doesn't want to do it because we ask him to. Boy is that going to be fun in a couple of years Indifferent

zaraceligon · June 2013

I usually show my LO flash cards,he loves when I show it to him,but it he see something different he gets distracted,or he just doesn't want to play wit it.may be you can test with flash cards and see if he put attention to it.

good luck.