Figure of 8 head Movement. possible autism

My son was born autistic and I’ve never seen the head movement but the hand flapping is definitely a sign of autism.

thank you for your reply he doesn't do the flapping all the time though. The head Movement is when he's excited even when he's eating on the sofa he does it sometimes. Maybe it's just his age. Just not seen it before myself. He has his 2 year check this week so I'm going to mention to hv anyways

no problem! Yes it could be just his age but it doesn’t hurt to get him tested. The earlier you can do it, the better. Let his pediatrician know that you’re having concerns and would like to get referred to see a psychologist for further evaluation.

My youngest who is nearly 7 did the hand flapping. He also did the head spin. He still flaps his hands normally when he's happy 😊 we call it his happy flappy hands 🙂🙂

I should of put my son is autistic.

oh right ok. Thank you. So could still be. Just cause I'm half and half on thinking he's autistic

@Claire it could be. Like you say your going to speak to your hv, as they will point you in the right direction. Other signs, my son had were speech delay and walking on his tip toes. Thinking back to when he was a toddler he didn't point or wave. It was the speech delay and then struggling at school. He wasn't diagnosed till 4 nearly 5. So early intervention is best. Listen to your gut, my head kept saying look at the hands.

He does this so many times a day using anything he can. Wires, clothes, string, ribbon..the more solid the item the better as he can get a really good spin on it. He loves that. I don't as I have to be careful so that he doesnt whip me with it. Did get him some sensory toys to do it with but doesn't seem to like that lol. Always goes back to the ear phones lol.

I know, he has a speech delay but can say some words mum,jay, gone,hungry, more. All words I repeat every day in his routine..he only waves when I say too. Doesn't on his own accord..but only just in past couple of mouths. I know the symptoms show more between 2 and 3 or even older. My teenager is on the pathway at 14years old. Been on for just under a year. A while to go with her. But she doesn't show anything apart from food gagging at smells and tastes . That started between 2 and 3..xx

@Claire oh bless him looks like he's having fun spinning the headphones. But I can understand your fear of being accidentally hit or hit himself. We got a load of sensory toys which are hit and miss. My inbox is always open for a chat. 🙂 I didn't know much about autism till my youngest. I at 41 have been diagnosed with adhd and they also suspect I'm autistic too. I think my 16 year old is autistic but doesn't want to get a diagnosis. But looking back and now he has a lot of traits. But different to his brother. My 16 year old can't go near crisps he gags at the thought and smell of them. We're as the youngest eat everything till around 2 then changed.

thank you and I will do. When I look back to be younger I suspect I could be too. X

@Claire I did an understanding of autism course which lead me to get an adhd assessment, I've always known I was different from others but it was a different time. And not much understanding then. I didn't talk to I was 4 my youngest the same. My mum thought i was deaf. But my parents always encouraged being different 🙂🙂 I think my late dad was autistic and had adhd, my mum thinks she has adhd, since finding out I have she's been researching bless her.

my daughter has speech delay. Is your son verbal now?

@Amal yes my son is verbal now, but still behind for his age, but will take alot more now. He is a chatter box, but if someone he's unsure of speaks he will go either quiet or just say a few words. So can be selective mute. He likes to talk on his terms.

Head shaking can be stimming aswell .. my son is being assessed for SEN and suspected Autism.. he started rocking, hand and finger flapping and head shaking at 7 months old .. he is now 3 years old and doesn't rock as much anymore but he still has meltdowns, hand and finger flaps when upset or when he gets excites, his toes wriggle aswell.. he also repeats things over and over aswell .. he has some delays which nursery is keeping an eye on.

just want to know does autism cause problem in sleep?

@Amal my lad has always struggled to sleep I have been told by his autism inclusion support that autism can affect sleep. My lad has struggled especially this Christmas break to go to sleep before midnight and he's up early and grumpy due to lack of sleep.

i am still waiting for my LO assessment. Its a struggle for
Me every night to put her to sleep. Its so exhausting. I havent a good sleep for so long. I hope it will get easier for me soon 🥺

@Amal how long have you been on the waiting list for your loss assessment. I completely understand you. Its so tiring when they struggle to sleep. How olds your little one my youngest is 6 nearly 7. I'm typing this as he's kicked me out of my bed at 7am to go back to sleep (new phase) lol. Somedays it's 4vor 5am when he does this when he's gone to sleep around 11/12. As no school and its been too wet to go anywhere plus he's had a cold. Your welcome to inbox anytime 😊 too. I'm sure it does get better my middle lad struggled to sleep now he's a teenager its harder to wake him up, but he does still struggle to sleep somedays.

get in contact with your HV and book him in for his 2 year development (which they have between 2 and 2 and a half years old)
I do the health reviews.
You will fill out the questionnaire, you answer yes, no or not yet.. From your answers on the score sheet it will determine whether there will be some intervention and what type.
The reviews get booked vers quickly (in my area, so I would call them up tomorrow.
If you have any questions you can message me x

Sorry since that video he has had his 2 year check and now he scored 115 which is very high. so we are being referred to pediatric, SALT, audiology and sensory processing. Myself and hv thinks he is sensory seeking. Thank you for your reply though xx

glad that the ball is rolling and he is been seen. x