Mom to Mom

[JBKO]

Hi everyone,

I'll keep this as brief as possible. The child in question is not my daughter but my niece. She's 15 months and her therapist mom is going crazy thinking that her daughter has delays. I don't know all the details but she says that she feels that the baby is regressing and not talking as much. She doesn't like to cuddle, she doesn't give hugs. etc. 

Is my sister overanalyzing and looking too deep into this? Is this common among therapists? I always remember coming across some woman on a reality show like 15 years ago mentioning that both of her parents were psychologists and how that added to her dysfunction or instability.

TIA

[Sadiesadie]

@JBKO : I’m no expert but have read and heard more than once that those two behaviors can be signs a child is on the autism spectrum. Hopefully not.

[Baylie]

She may be over reacting but it sounds like something she should talk to her pediatrician about. Best of luck to her and her daughter!

[catter70]

I would think that your sister would have taken the child for testing if they are able to do it at that age. 

[GenXmuse]

It could be due to her training or most likely due to a mother’s intuition which is very powerful. She should seek an evaluation and you should be supportive or stay out of it. 

[Spacrazy]

Seek advice from her “regular” pediatrician and if she doesn’t have one, get one (not the time to doc-shop). 

You didn’t mention what field of therapy she is in. Is this the first baby? Is she hands-on raising the baby on a daily basis or have a nanny/babysitter/daycare? Live in the city or rural? All these things may have an impact but after all she’s 15 months old. 

I sincerely hope she and the family are enjoying one another. These are precious moments.

[LTT1]

@JBKO 

Our DGD has some odd behaviors that are alarming to me.

Autistic children can fall into different categories and from what I know (background is Special Ed; taught high schoolers with special needs math and science)

the categories can run the gamut.

Yes, a mom will probably sense her child with a problem. No, I don't think your sister is overthinking.

Some behaviors you mentioned might indicate autism, but kids cannot be diagnosed before 24 months of age. 

Your sister might want to consult a pediatrician and/or specialist.

Our DGD learned coping skills and grew out of most troublesome behaviors (I hope).

[JBKO]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. She is taking her to the pediatrician tomorrow. I know the baby is much more affectionate with her father.

[JBKO]

I forgot to add that this is the first baby.

[ECBG]

The pediatrition knows this child better than anyone, assuming the child has been under the same care all of his/her life.  This is where the path should begin to see if it might just be developmental delays.