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DS is nearly 9 weeks, corrected age, and does/will not make eye contact with anyone. Is this normal? He definately sees things, just won't make eye contact with me or DH. We follow his eyes with our faces, trying to get him to catch gaze, but he just persists to look past us every time. I'm not concerned he has a problem with his eyes, just concerned this is a sign of autisim as a friend of mine says that was the first sign of her son who is autistic.
I'm no expert so I can't say if it's normal or not. Both my DS's made eye-contact from birth, but I'm not sure if it's different for each child.
Maybe you could contact your MCHN and ask for her opinion?
Hopefully some other BB members will have a more useful answer for you :D
Hmm.. I don't know either sorry!! Mine both have done the eye contact since birth... I didnt' think they could pick up autism at such a young age though? But I don't have a lot of knowledge really.
I'd take him to a GP or something to see if they think you need a referral to someone maybe?
:dunno:
:hug:
I agree, go and see your MCHN pr GP about it
Georgi, while lack of eye-contact and joint-attention (looking at what Mum looks at - present in older infants) is an early sign of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), I have never heard of these symptoms being picked up or being 'reliable' predictors of the disorder at such a young age and I'm sure there are a number of explanations for what you're seeing. There is a new protocol for early testing and detection of ASDs being used by many MCHNs - I think it's called SACS and was developed by Cheryl Dissanyake, Barbaro and Ridgeway (sp?) (these details are handwritten from a professional development seminar I attended and could be misspelt or innacurate). I will google after I post this and if I find anything useful for you I'll pop in again.
Don't fret too much, it's far to early to be drawing any conclusions and chances are, your bubba is perfectly fine. That said, good on you for being so aware and exploring possibilities. As a professional in the area I have come across many parents who have ignored and explained-away blatently apparent symptoms (FAR more than limited eye contact) until their child is in pre-school and in some cases in adolescence.
All the best.
Georgi, sorry, should have done my research and THEN posted! From what I just read it looks like the SACS assessment was only being trialled in Victoria by MHCN's for now.
Nonetheless, your GP, Pediatrician and MCHN will all be able to chat to you about yr concerns.
Thanks for your replies. It looks like I was freaking out for nothing. I realised it was the positions I had him in. I was either too close or too far for him to see. Thankfully we have been getting plenty of eye contact along with lots of smiles so I'm happy now. As he was premature, I get worried that something is wrong. No doubt I'll be back asking other questions in the not so far future.
That's fantastic news.
Just an update.... We are now getting unlimited eye contact and lots of smiles & giggles to go with it. I did end up ringing the Paed & he said it was normal, some bubs are just more interested in light rather than peoples faces. He told me to keep getting in his face & sing heaps to him. That's what I did and in just a few days I noticed a considerable difference.
So there... Worrying for nothing, as usual!
That's great Georgi :hug: I was worried for you for a minute! I know when I've been around Byron he's looked at me! He's doing really well for such a young little fella :hug:
Yeah Ren he just went through a stage where he stopped looking at us. I can't wait for you to see him now. He's got so much character. Maybe this Friday or next? My nieces will be up again, the 1st to 20th
Glad he is now looking at you Georgi! I know how hypervigilant we can be with premmies - I know I am.
My DD13 has ASD & she never looked at me... :cry: it can mean something or it may not as with most things. ASD is not diagnosed in babyhood - but rather retrospectively asessed.
It sounds like your Byron is doing beautifully.. :hug: