Hi everyone, I am new here but have been reading your q&a for quite sometime. My son is almost 18 months old, and I have been terrified of autism since the day he was born. (I also have an anxiety disorder which doesn't help). He has never had any signs, in fact mostly the opposite. He has over 100 words, loves peek a boo and interactive games, is happy and attentive. I have been" pre-screening" him for as long as I can remember, so I know that at his 18 mos check up my ped will ask if he plays pretend. My question is, how does a toddler this age play pretend? He zooms cars around, "drinks" out of the cans in our pantry and takes my broom and" sweeps". He will "feed" his stuffed animals if I do it first, and closes his eyes tight when you tell him to"go ni-night".....most of these he does sporadically when he is in the mood. Should I be worried or is this the" pretend" play they are referring to?
Pretend is playing like the car is real and making sounds, pushing along like it's driving...pretend is playing like he can drink for closed cans in the pantry. It's also like playing with a doll and it says "Mama", or like he's spiderman saving the day, playing with a stuffed animal and pretending it's alive...these are all kinds of pretend play.
That's a lot of pretend play for an 18 month old, in my opinion. We were referred to a developmental specialist after our 18 mon visit b/c my kid didn't have 10 words, so 100 would be off the charts. (My kid was/is fine, no signs of anything to worry about and now, at 5, has some of the best language skills of all the kids in their peer group).
Another friend of mine also has a lot of anxiety, which seemed to really increase after having kids - understandably so! She has spoken with her doc and has gotten some help (both medication and support) that has really benefitted her. If you haven't already done so, consider reaching out to your doc for some support. It is out there and can be so helpful. Being a parent is nerve-wracking enough, take advantage of some of the support that's available.
In my humble, non-professional, just-a-mom opinion, I think you'll be fine. Everything you've described sounds completely normal and appropriate play for an 18 mon old.
Bests :)
Your son is completely normal. He sounds intelligent and imaginative. I have worked with LOTS of kids with autism. It sounds like he is FAR from autistic. You need to let that fear go.
Yes...that's exactly what they are referring to. He is fine =)
Pretend play like playing "house" and stuff comes much later. Your son sounds right on target and very bright!
Enjoy your guy. Try not to worry.
T.
Yep, he sounds pretty normal.
if he feeds the stuffed animal that is great. 100 words is way above average, esp. if he understands what you say, you will be fine.
I think your son sounds more than fine. From your post I'm a more worried about you! And don't take that the wrong way! It sounds like you have an irrational fear about autism, because you don't have any reason to believe your son has it, but you can't help worrying about it anyway. I agree with BP M (the first comment) that you may want to reach out for help with your anxiety... maybe screen yourself for postpartum depression (it shows up in funny ways sometimes). If you can get help with your anxiety about this then you can spend more time just enjoying your son and less time worrying about autism.
It sounds like your precious baby boy is above average! He is definately playing pretend (drinkin gout of cans in panctry, "sweeping" and feeding stuffed animals) Sounds like you are doing a great job with him. Have confidence in yourself as a mommy!
Don't worry any more about autism. You are not talking about any of the symptoms I see in children brought to me the disorder. Relax and enjoy him he's a healthy normal boy.
that is all definatly playing pretend! stop worrying, other example could be him "cooking" with your pots and pans, or mimmiking anything he sees you do, and wow 100+ words my 21mnth old only has about 20 or so.
Yep-that is what pretend play is. Mimicking and zooming cars around, playing kitchen, etc...all parts of pretend.
What you described is pretend play. Wow a 100 words is great...mine only said about 5 at 18 months!
Hope this helps.
Your son sounds amazingly bright!! I would be proud of him. Please don't worry. It doing very well as a toddler and your doing excellent as a mom!! :)
