is this stimming?

[norkmaiden]

Would be so grateful if any mums out there know anything about this - recently (over the last 2 weeks or so) my 21 mo ds has starting a funny thing where he looks sideways out of the corner of his eye, and sort of quickly turns his head to one side. I noticed it first recently when we were out for a walk - it was like he was looking at something, and then wanted to run it past his eye quickly, looking out of the corner of his eye.
I've searched the archives, worried this is an odd thing to do and thinking we should take him for a checkup with GP or HV. His speech isn't particularly great - has 12 or so words/phrases - and he's quite keen on repetitive actions (eg walking up/down stairs, sorting out things that type of thing) but nothing has really worried my until now - this eye thing bothers me though, it seems odd. He's done it a few times already today (eg half a dozen times in quick succession) so I worry he's doing it more and more.
Many thanks in advance for reading this, and please post if you have any thoughts or advice?
xx

[maggiems]

Could he be longsighted? My DT2 was diagnosed at that age and i remember noticing that he would turn his head to one side when looking at something and I remember reading that this was a symptom. In fact he still does a bit without his glasses. However he didnt look sideways out of the corner of his eye. Probably worth a check up anyway

[norkmaiden]

I hadn't thought of that Maggie, thanks for the suggestion. DS was doing this earlier whilst looking at a book, so I don't know if that would mean anything (ie was looking at something fairly close up and then looking out of the corner of his eye, with sort of blink afterwards)?
I definitely think I'll take him for a checkup as it's playing on my mind...

Any other thoughts gratefully received!

[norkmaiden]

bumping just in case...

[maggiems]

Yes, DT2 would do it only when up close to something or someone. Tbh be honest it was only when the possibility of him being long sighted was raised and I started to read about symptoms that I realised that he did this.
Hope someone else comes along with some more answers

[norkmaiden]

cheers again Maggie.
Wish I knew why he was up to this all of a sudden though

[cryptmonkey]

My ds1 used to do this and his eyesight is fine.
He did it for a few months when he was around 2.
I would get your ds's vision checked anyway to be on the safe side, norkmaiden.
Btw ds2 never did it and he is longsighted!

[norkmaiden]

hi there cryptmonkey (are you chipmonkey I wonder??) thanks for the reassurance that it might be nothing
will definitely look into it some more with GP or HV, just in case. I wonder if it's just his new 'thing', something he's just discovered he can do and thinks it's fun..
parenting eh, it's one worry after another!

[Jimjams2]

It could be stimming, and it might not be. Both ds1 and ds3 have done it. DS1 does it when he's stimming (it's his big stim actually, he collects objects to do it with, or will sppend ages positioning doors etc to get the right angle ), ds3 does it anyway-he's not stimming though (spent enough years round it to know the difference - and he;s the most NT of the lot of them now really) copying ds1 maybe, or maybe he likes it (he does it when running up and down in particular). DS1's went away completely when he was having vitamin A (cod liver oil). Unfortunatelty he won't take it now and it has come back.

Speech sounds fine- how's things like pointing etc (far more important than speech at his age).

I wouldn't worry about it at all alone (like ds3), but if you had other concerns then I might take it more seriously iyswim.

[norkmaiden]

hey Jimjams, was hoping you might see this. I trawled the archives on autism, stimming etc last night, was partly reassured and a tiny bit concerned maybe.

DS points well (with index finger) but I reckon only just did this by 18mo or so - has been doing it now for a couple of months at least I think (is just 21mo). He did a lot of pointing to stuff (esp in his books) using an adult hand, but seems to have stopped that recently - he still does it to get your attention and get you to read to him - eg brings you a book, grabs your hand and points at the words with your finger. I think this is just his way of saying 'come on, read to me!' but I guess I could be wrong.
I think he'd have no probs at all with the CHAT test, and is generally happy, sociable etc.
It's just the eye thing looks quite alarming and is apparently for no reason at all. Plus I did think his speech was a bit limited, compared to baby friends his age (I know I know, shouldn't compare, but it made me wonder). He hasn't had MMR btw, and I won't be letting him have it until I know what this eye business is about.
Would be really grateful for your expert opinion JJ!
xx

[Jimjams2]

Nothing ringing alarm bells for me- but if you're concerned do get him on a waiting list - you could be waiting for a year!

Always looks at the whole picture- if he can generally communicate with you pretty well what he needs and wants, and things that interest him then it doesn't reallly matter how he does it. DS3 is 22 months and has a similar number of clear words, he sometimes tries to drag me by the hand (if I'm slow to move especially) , but he's interactive, communicative and (2 other important things), imitates really well and understands lots. Sometimes he needs things clarified (eg " no that's ds3's nose, can you point to Mummy's nose") before getting it right, but he is well tuned into what's going on around him iyswim.

DS2 used to line things up- never worried me as the big picture was so clearly OK. Always look at the big picture, but also always refer early if you have any concerns at all.

[norkmaiden]

thanks JJ, that's really helpful.
DS does communicate well, though mostly non-verbally (eg biscuit - drags me over to cupboard, points up hopefully and makes some kind of accompanying squawk or whatever ). Still he makes himself understood, to me at least.
He also makes up games etc, peekaboo, or goes to hide behind doors or whatever, waiting to be found/pounced on - I'm hoping this is positive stuff, not wanting to brag, as in some ways I reckon he does less than his peers.
He imitates sometimes - eg I say to him: say apple/teddy/whatever and he generally says something like 'uh-uh' but without what seems like much effort (I wonder if he's a bit lazy?!). Definitely understands stuff though, eg pat your head (and he does), or we're going in the car (he says 'brrm brrm').
I guess I'm paranoid about autism/asd. Reading up last night I think DS is alright, but somehow it's hard to let go of the worry!
Thanks so much JJ

[Jimjams2]

oh by imitates- I mean much more basic than that. For example if you gave him a cup would he know what to do with it? (in ds1's case- he has always had very poor imitation skills- until now ) I had to stand behind him and place my hands over his then tip the cup up, repeatedly until he got it (took about a week). Everything had to be taught like that. DS2 and ds3 just do stuff without having to be shown (or if I did show them- eg said "like this look" then they would know what that meant).

He sounds fine to me, but do ask for a referral if you're at all concerned.

[norkmaiden]

Thanks JJ, you're a star!
Think I'll keep an eye on it and likely take him to HV, just to see what she says..
Thanks again