Normal behavior for a toddler or autistic?
Normal behavior for a toddler or autistic
I recently watched a home video of my 1st birthday and I noticed a few things I was doing compared to my cousin who is only 33 days older. I thought maybe some of the differences in our behavior were just due to him being a little older and developing at different rates, but I’m not sure.
In the video if someone would call my cousins name he would look and respond. I would not when my name was called. They would have to call me several times or make a noise, like whistle or clap before I would look in their direction.
My mom was unwrapping gifts and I had no interest in what she was doing or the toys. My cousin was pulling at the paper and playing with the bows and excited about each new toy she opened. I sat next to her playing with this one toy (one of the cars toddlers can ride on or walk behind and push) just pulling it towards me and pushing it away over and over. She would try to get me engaged by pulling me into her lap and try to get me to help unwrap presents or play with other toys but I would only play with that one. I wasn’t interested in showing anyone my toy while my cousin would go from person to person showing them all of the toys. I was in my own world, hardly acknowledging anyone else was in the room. Is what I’m seeing normal differences in two toddlers or something else?
When my son had his first birthday, he was opening his own presents with help and he played with his new toys and ate his own cake. Also he looks when people say his name but he doesn't do it every time.
I'd say your cousin was doing normal behavior and you weren't. Your behavior was maybe autistic.
ghostar
Velociraptor
Joined: 20 Dec 2011
Age: 44
Gender: Female
Posts: 403
Location: Most likely work. Sigh.
I never said one word until I was almost three years old...not because I couldn't, mind you, I just didn't have anything to say yet. When I did finally speak, it was to request more oatmeal from my mother in a full sentence. This was not typical toddler behaviour.
I wasn't interested in unwrapping gifts either and certainly not interested interacting with the other people at my birthday celebrations. My parents finally stopped throwing me birthday parties when I was 6 so that people wouldn't be offended that I cared nothing for the gifts they brought. This was also not typical toddler/child behaviour. I did enjoy the cake though.
I am very Aspie.
btbnnyr
Veteran
Joined: 18 May 2011
Gender: Female
Posts: 7,359
Location: Lost Angleles Carmen Santiago
It wasnt until I was older, around 3-4 that I would actually open gifts, though I would just sit and look at them for awhile before I would actually open them. My parent always said I had to take it all in before I would open anything. As far as I know I started speaking at the typical milestone but my first word was the name of our family dog instead of the typical mom and dad. I did offend people as I got older. I was told I didnt show that I was excited or interested in my presents so I learned to fake it and still do to this day. I always hated at birthdays when parents are video taping and they say "show me what you got". I would get irritated since they knew what I got already why did they need to see again.
SyphonFilter
Veteran
Joined: 7 Feb 2011
Gender: Non-binary
Posts: 2,161
Location: The intersection of Inkopolis’ Plaza & Square where the Turf Wars lie.
ghostar
Velociraptor
Joined: 20 Dec 2011
Age: 44
Gender: Female
Posts: 403
Location: Most likely work. Sigh.
Last weekend, a group of my friends got together for a holiday gift exchange and insisted that i join them so I did. What ensued was the most uncomfortable two hours of the entire past year for me. I still don't know if I made anyone happy with the gift I chose for them or the feigned reaction I had to the gifts they gave me. It was very stressful.
One of my friends made each of us a flower vase out of a recycled soda bottle. When she handed it to me, I didn't filter my true reaction and so I blurted out "but it is winter and there are no flowers. What do I do with this?" I really didn't mean to be unkind or ungrateful at all. I think it is sweet that she spent her time making it for me. Now I wonder if we are still friends. I can never tell when someone will have finally "had enough" of me.
Its the same for me as well. Both giving and receiving gifts is stressful. Its hard to read their reaction to your gift and equally hard to respond correctly to show appreciation for the gift received. I finally gave up trying to figure out the appropriate reaction and just say thank you and maybe give them a hug if its a close family member.
ghostar
Velociraptor
Joined: 20 Dec 2011
Age: 44
Gender: Female
Posts: 403
Location: Most likely work. Sigh.
Its the same for me as well. Both giving and receiving gifts is stressful. Its hard to read their reaction to your gift and equally hard to respond correctly to show appreciation for the gift received. I finally gave up trying to figure out the appropriate reaction and just say thank you and maybe give them a hug if its a close family member.
Doing what you do is a good idea i think. I am going to try it next time.
blackcat
Veteran
Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Age: 33
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,142
Location: 10 miles south of sanity.
That sounds pretty ASD like (what you were doing). Then again, it varies, you know? I have Asperger's...presents excited me. To a ridiculous level. I was anxious about gifts. I still am. Things that are wrapped up...make me nervous. They always have. I am happy and excited to have a present, but I am worried at the same time because I don't know what it is. It has gone from a sort of aversion to surprise and suspense to a genuine fear. I know perfectly well that there is nothing to be afraid of, which is why a plaster a false smile on my face and rip away (this is also a recent thing. i used to open presents very carefully to preserve the paper. i wanted to keep it.) and reveal its contents. But all the while I have this irrational fear that something horrible is inside. Especially when it comes to packages that come in the mail. Perhaps they are full of arsenic? Maybe it will explode. I dunno if any of that has anything to do with Asperger's. I'm probably just weird. If the door bell rings I dread answering it because maybe the person on the other side has a gun. I have been afraid of peep holes since I was around 4 because...maybe, just maybe, someone will shove something sharp through it after I stick my eye against it. Have I gone off topic?? haha
_________________
I think I know. I don't think I know. I don't think I think I know. I don't think I think.
ghostar
Velociraptor
Joined: 20 Dec 2011
Age: 44
Gender: Female
Posts: 403
Location: Most likely work. Sigh.
OMG this is just like me! I have a friend from out of town staying with me for the holidays and so she had all of her holiday gifts shipped to my house for the past month so every other day I would come home from work and see a box at my door. Even though I knew she was sending something because she forewarned me, I would panic for a moment and approach the box very slowly until I could read the label and verify that it was from the company she had told me it would be coming from. I seriously thought it might be a bomb every single time.
It is such a relief that I am not the only one with this reaction. I also share your aversion to peepholes and answering the door.
Similar Topics | |
---|---|
How Do You Know You Are Autistic? |
07 Nov 2024, 7:38 pm |
Hello, I might be autistic |
16 Oct 2024, 4:04 pm |
Any autistic rap fans here? |
30 Sep 2024, 10:58 am |
would you let your autistic son die a virgin? |
15 Nov 2024, 9:55 pm |