I know of recent studies that suggest that a child not responding to his name at 12 months old has been a marker for late Autism, so now I am paranoid. I don't know why I'm so paranoid about Autism, I think it's media stuff, but anyway.
My 13 month old responds to his name, but not *every single time* I call him. If he's crawling away or interested in some toy, he won't look. But I know he knows his name and it seems like he's just interested in other things and ignoring me. Plus I'm a SAHM and I think he's almost habituated to his name at this point. Do/did your kids respond every time? Like if you're behind him and call him, does he turn around right away EVERY time? It's the majority of the time for sure, but not every time. Is this normal? I guess I just feel like what kid whips around EVERY time you call them? That doesn't seem like what the studies are talking about, but more a general sense of them responding to their name.
SOrry, I'm such a worrier!! Any words of wisom would be appreciated!
I also wanted to add that there are no other "markers" or signs about which I'm worried. He LOVES people, and for ex, if we're in a restaurant he flirts and get SO happy with the waitress, etc. He gets happy to see neighbor kids, points to them, etc. So I don't see any other problems, but just the name thing...
Thanks in advance...
Thank you all, SO, SO MUCH! You have GREATLY put my obsessively worrying mind at ease! Really, I am almost crying here... thanks a million. :)
I think it's totally normal. All of my kids have done the same thing. It's possible he just doesn't hear you all the time or he may be developing selective hearing. ;) I remember my husband freaking out about the same thing. He's totally paranoid about autism. I say if the doctor has no concerns you should let go of the worry. If he doesn't have any other symptoms then you shouldn't worry.
My 12 month old does not respond every time, and definetly not when he is on the move and interested in something else. I would say totally normal.
Hi J.. 13 monthis is very young to start to think about autism. Usually they can't diagnois until almost 3 yrs old. My son has PDD-NOS which is on the autism spectrum. He was dx'ed at 2 yr 9 mos.
I can assure you the name call test is just a baseline test and isn't 100% accurate.
IF you have ANY doubt as your ped doctor OR seek an early intervention screening (free since you live in PA).
Enjoy your baby. I am sure he is fine.
It's good to know the facts about autism if you are interested goto www.autismspeaks.org
Best Wishes
N.
Hey there, I think the not responding every time is normal. I'm a SAHM to an almost 16 month old and sometimes he ignores me. Also, there are other signs for autism to look for...does he make eye contact with you? Is he social with other people, is seems like he is, if he is flirting and pointing. Does he retreat inward at all and just focus on one little thing for what may seem like an odd amount of time? It sounds to me like he is just ignoring you sometimes, but I understand the worrying. I think mommies just worry. :)
Don't stress yourself:) No child responds to their name EVERY time if they are focused on something else. The marker of responding to their name is also just one of many red flag to look for in your child, and an array of signs is what would be concerning as opposed to just one. Here is a link that lists the red flags. http://www.firstsigns.org/concerns/flags.htm
Also, there are a number of reasons that a child may not respond to their name besides autism: fluid in the ears, hearing impairment, ear infection. If your son interacts with you and others, responds to and smiles at people, and seems "connected" to the world around him I wouldn't worry.
E.
HI J.,
My grandson doesn't respond everytime especially if he is interested in one of his shows, you can call him and call him, but he ignores us, so I wouldn't worry right now, If you want to to yr doctor and see if feels there is anything to be concern about.
Don't worry anymore!!!!
It's normal...
Your child is so busy and he's off learning new things. That he's more focused in moving and looking and touching other things that he's more interested in. Of course he already knows his name if he answers it sometimes. It's just he's a busy body and wants to explore.
So sit back and watch how he focus's on differnt objects and the movement that he does with them.
I have have a 7 month old and I just think it is amazing at the way he is so ready to learn new things.
His eyes is wonder around the whole object and then of course puts it in his mouth..
It's just the learning process is what I have learned with my other two children...
I'm about to have my fourth child here in a few month. I swear, ever child has selective hearing. If you notice he's answering to his name, most of the time, I would think he was fine. He's also at that age when I swear they start thinkin, 'what now mom, I'm busy", lol.
YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT!!!! Sometimes, there's just more interesting things out there than Mommy, especially when you're a stay at home mom and if he's too busy, he doesn't want to be bothered by turning around everytime you say his name. Sounds like he's a little ladies man already and just taking advantage of the fact that you are always there for him. Sometimes my three year old doesn't respond to her name and I know she doesn't have autism. Just selective hearing. Don't worry so much. You'll drive yourself crazy. He's fine.
I don't think you have anything to worry about, especially if your son doesn't exhibit any other signs of autism. My 3 year old is very attentive to me and will respond to his name ALMOST all the time. My almost-two-year-old however has a very different attitude. She will respond when it is something she wants to do or when she isn't too focused on a toy, etc. She has no problem hearing me when I say it is time to eat or play with playdough, etc.
It would seem that he's ignoring you. Kids do that when they are more interested in something else than you. Get used to it. It will happen more and more as he grows. Kids have selective hearing and it never goes away.
Hi,
it sounds like you did your research on this and know what's going on.I would try not to worry as much and just observe and the things you see he may lack work on some type of therapy for it and stay consistent with it. I think there are alot of things our children can be diagnosed with by doctors and with our parenting work and skills we can overcome those diagnosis. If he has his mind of playing and getting his toy that is what he is focused in on. Laugh at that maybe he is ignoring you because he wants the toy but he is just fine.
L.
Don't stress - all babies have different personalities. If your child was autistic, he wouldn't EVER respond.
Get used to it:) I have a two and three year old and I seriously thought they were going deaf because they never responded to me. Then two things happened...one, a friend told me to whisper "candy" and see if they hear and respond to that..(they ALWAYS do!) and then the second thing was that when I asked my three year old if she heard and understood me she looked at me and said "Yes, mommy, I hear you, I just dont like what you are saying!!"
So, my point is that if your kid is really involved in something (a toy, a book etc) they are probably not going to respond to their name because you are "interrupting them". We dont like to be interrupted when we are in the middle of something, but we have learned to be polite and acknowledge someone speaking to us. A 13 month old just hasnt yet. If he usually responds and there are no other concerns, I would think you are OK, but check in with your doctor if you're not!
Good luck!
