Infant Autism Signs

Updated on August 22, 2007
L.S. asks from Kalamazoo, MI
16 answers

I have a beautiful 5 week old daughter. The only problem I am having with her is that she does not respond we talk to her or call her name. She looks at us all of the time and I know that she hears well because she becomes startled. She just won't turn her head toward us when we try to get her attention. I looked up on the internet and found that this could be a very early detection sign of autism. My husband thinks that I am over reacting and that she is just fine. Has anyone had any experience with this?

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A.R.

answers from Detroit on

My daughter exibited those same behaviors, when she was a baby. Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

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L.W.

answers from Detroit on

When my son was five weeks he did not respond to us either. I always worry about stuff like that, but he is eleven months now and he is normal. Five weeks is too early to worry. Good luck!

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T.N.

answers from Saginaw on

my sister has a 6 year old girl who has autism. We didn't notice it until things like milestones weren't coming. Like everyone was mumma until the age of 3. Even her dad whom she seen every day. My point being there is no way to actually know wether or not a child will have something at 5 weeks unless its a physical thing. When my son was 5 weeks he was always sittin to the left side with his head. Was it cause i left him on his left side to long hmmm no cause i remembered that flat heads and stuff like that so i always switched sides with my babies. Anyways it was a phase that he went through no matter what we did he would favor is left side. We even got the doctors advice about it cause i was so worried. All babies are different ... it just might be that she hasn't caught on yet. Like my girls started walking at 11 months. My andyman has just started walking at 15 months. Stubborn boy that he is lmao. Anyways... all kids an't the same and might take time for certain things. Still if u had any questions about it i would ask the doctor about it.

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K.B.

answers from Detroit on

5 weeks is still really early for them to respond to their name. theyre so distracted by the amazing world around them it takes a while for them to realize (or care) that you're talking to them. i wouldn't worry for a while.

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C.M.

answers from Detroit on

Try to relax for now and not worry so much (easier said then done). I work in a hospital on the pediatric floor. Although I am not a nurse, I do know that all kids hit developmental milestones at a different pace. 5 weeks old is too early to tell. If she was 5 months old, then you could worry. Just watch her closely for now, and continue doing what you are doing. Be careful not to over stimulate her. Some babies are extra sensitive to a lot of noise and activity and will tune it out rather then responding to it. If she is still not turning her head toward sounds by 2 months, talk to your pediatrician. For now just enjoy her.

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R.W.

answers from Jackson on

5weeks is really way TOO early to detect autism. We first noticed signs of autism in our son when he was 4months old and had ZERO baby sounds other than Screaming at the top of his lungs for hours on end (no we didn't cry it out, he would just scream!) Things got better for awhile, he started trying to talk around 8-9months had 3 words Momma Dog and Outside (at least that's what I thought it was since he said it everytime I opened the windows) Then at a year he stopped responding completely, his eyes glassed over, he didn't make any sounds other than screaming/crying. He is now about to turn three and is a happy little boy he is responding to us again using words and learning. We intervened early with him at 16months getting him therapy and such.

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M.

answers from Saginaw on

Dear L., I have two kids with autism 8 and 11. I think that five weeks is a little early. With my son he never slept heat and light woke him up. He screamed for hours if a man would talk (except for his dad). He hated to be held. To calm him down I would put him down and then massaged his little body. He would scream to the top of his lungs if I would put lotion on him.
I think that you need to give her some time she is really young if you want to go to Autism Speaks (online) they have a new artcle about early autism. BUT If you beleive and see any other signs push on getting her checked out. Remeber that teachers and health care people still need to be educated on autism. If you have anyother concerns let me know you can email me through mamasource and I will give you my email. good luck M.

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C.M.

answers from Detroit on

She is still very young to be responding. Babies are not very social at that age. I believe that it is around 3 months that they begin to respond to people talking to them. If you are very concerned about it I would talk to your ped.

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A.I.

answers from Lansing on

i would let your baby doctor know about how you are fealing at her next app i am sure she is just fine good luck

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K.P.

answers from Detroit on

Because of my twins being so premature we had their hearing checked while in the NICU and then again at 9 months (6 months adjusted) I was concerned about my little guy at the 9 mth. appt. because he would not turn toward us when we talked or called his name or turn his head toward sounds.
The doc said that this is fine. They don't really develope that "skill" or ability to locate sound until they are around 6-9 months anyway.
So at 5 weeks...you should not worry about this at all:)Hope this helps ease your mind a bit.
Congrats on you new little girl!

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N.W.

answers from Detroit on

I think it is most likely way to early to tell something like that. Keep talking to her and interacting. Her eyesight is still developing...and just because she hears and gets started does not mean she recognizes her name yet. If you are really concerned talk to your pediatrician.

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C.B.

answers from Detroit on

What was your baby's Pediatrician's response about your findings? Let's look on the positive side that perhaps your beautiful baby is just too early for her to respond.

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K.R.

answers from Detroit on

My son didn't start to respond to his own name until he was about 4-5 months old.. then stopped at about 8 months. These days (he's almost 2 now) he only responds about 1/4 of the time.. but I thinkit's more stubbornness than anything.

Give her time, As someone else said, babies don't really get social for afew months, and some children are less interested in looking at the source of the sound, as they are intently listening to it and "spacing out".

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L.N.

answers from Benton Harbor on

Hi~
Remember that EVERYTHING is new to her so your voices or hearing her own name may dull in comparison to the fascinating pattern on the couch! :) This was the case with my son...he would stare forever at the couch cushion and completely ignore us. Just now at 8 months he is recognizing his name...and he is completely normal, I have NO questions about that. Be patient, but also keep track of what concerns you. It certainly doesn't hurt to be watchful!
~L.

K.K.

answers from Detroit on

I think that 5 weeks is really young to be expecting her to respond to her name. I think that milestone is generally reached around 5 or 6 months. In fact, if I remember correctly, you shouldn't be concerned unless your baby isn't responding to her name by a year old. You've got quite a while to go! Relax and enjoy that little munchkin!

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L.B.

answers from Detroit on

I would not worry - studies say that most signs of autism cannot even be detected until a child is a yr. old. Some babies are slower developers than others, that's why you can't really tell for sure until they are a bit older. At 5 wks old, your baby is just going to sleep and eat!! Don't expect much out of them so soon. : )

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