Could my 4 month old have autism?

I am a caregiver for handicapped children so I may just be overly paranoid because of my job. I received the terbutaline shot 4 times while pregnant to stop preterm labor. my son is 4 months old. He obsessively puts his hands in his mouth, will not grab toys, keeps his hands folded together and will sit in his swing and stare at the caution sticker on the side of it for several minutes. He also obsessively tries to watch tv. Even if it is not on he will stare at it. If we go to a restaurant where one is on he fixates on it. Also, he responds to his name sometimes, and seems to be on target as far as smiling and laughing. He also fixates on ceiling fans which I hear is normal for this age. he will not lay on his stomach, and can’t roll over yet. I suppose I just need some reassurance that he is ok!!! This is my first baby and am just concerned that he hasn’t reached some milestones that other babies his age have. thank you in advance for your comments!

I can relate!!! I went a little overboard with my daughter also at first. I thought everything was a sign of something wrong – I spent countless hours on the internet doing research and worrying. Here is what it comes down to – all babies because they are still developing can show signs that would indicate an older child has a problem (this is also why it is easier to identify in older children because younger infants may do these things) – ie: hand flapping (my big one), walking on tippy toes, only responding sometimes to name, not always making eye contact, etc… the thing is they typically outgrow it! My daughter would not always respond to her name, became fascinated with ceiling fans, and would not always make eye contact with me at 4 months, at 6 months she would just sit there and swing her hands like a conductor. Now at 8 months old she is most certainly maintaining eye contact, responds to her name, doesn’t do the hand thing anymore – crawls, cruises (planting her feet solidly on the ground), babbles – plays great with others, etc…..

I guess what I’m trying to say is that your son sounds normal, so don’t stress (I think I’ve done enough for the both of us!) Babies all develop at different rates. He is just getting familiar with his environment. Give yourself another few months and you’ll see that he’s just fine!!!

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