I get asked this question and honestly, I can remember the exact moment I questioned it. This was around the age that it happened. We were sitting in the RV watching a movie as a family while camping and he turned his head to the side and peered out the side of his eyes. I remember thinking, that is so adorable! But then I remembered watching a YouTube video of another mom whose son did the exact same thing, and she called it stimming. I kind of threw it to the back of my mind and let it go. But then I started seeing all sorts of things he did that when added up, I began to question it further. It wasn't until the end of that summer when the speech had gained began to disappear. His interest was rarely in toys but sticks, rocks and random household items were his favourites. Hands and feet tensed as he spun them in circles and held close to his face as he squealed and shook. Always running, not afraid of running into danger and non stop jumping. Calling his name with no response. That's when I knew in my gut, he was autistic. Yet I still didn't want to label him in case I was over thinking it! He was only 16 months old. We didn't have him properly assessed and diagnosed til he was almost 4.
Don't doubt yourself mama! You know your child. The sooner you get help, the better.
I can slowly begin to see him grow, little by little. But having the resources to help him has been huge, and I'm sure part of the reason he is doing so well! ❤️
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