Worrying about 6 month old "zoning out"

[loeylo]

My LO is 6 months old and has always fixated on things, even from a really early age. For example she can stare at a toy for several minutes but not really respond to it whatsoever. At other times she interacts perfectly normally, so I know it isn't her eyesight or hearing.

I'm back at work so my aunt had her for the day yesterday, it is the first time she has been in my aunts house although she has spent a fair bit of time with her in the past in other settings. My aunt has two kids of her own plus looked after her nieces and nephews a fair bit, so she sort of knows what's normal.

Another bit of backstory - both my parents are epileptic. My mum had absence seizures as a child.

My aunt has now planted a seed that my wee ones fixations might actually be an absence seizure. My parents look after my wee one all the time and have never worried about it, but now that it has been mentioned I can't stop thinking about it.

There have been a few times that I have actually had a fright, like she has been lying in her cot with her eyes open and hasn't looked at me when I have shouted her name or tapped her lightly, but if I give her a gentle shake she will look at me and smile, like she has been in a daydream. She also sometimes arches her back and stares at something which is behind her. She can be sitting on my knee facing me, then turn to look to the side for a minute or so and stares at the wall, even if I shout her name.

She is a pretty stubborn baby, which I think is just her personality because her dad was like that as a baby too apparently (still is!) so I don't know if her behaviour is just disinterest or something more. I know its too early for autism diagnosis but as a teacher I must admit that has crossed my mind also.

I don't know what point is me being neurotic and what point genuinely needs looked at, she has already seen a paediatrician about her breathing as a newborn (long pauses and continual panting) plus she has seen an orthopaedic surgeon about her clicky shoulder. I have health anxiety and I'm trying not to project onto her, but at the same time I don't want to not get something checked which could be serious.

 

[SarahBear]

In terms of your comment about being a teacher, one thing you have to remember that as a developmental disorder, autism characteristics are perfectly normal at some point in development. The problem with kids with autism is that they get stuck at that level of development. Therefore, at this age there's really no telling and characteristics that resemble older children with autism are perfectly normal. The fact that she smiles at you is a good sign in terms of social development though. If it weren't for the family history of seizures, I'd say to not worry. With the history, it would be worth bringing things up with your pediatrician just to double check. As far as not responding to her name, that's perfectly normal at this age. Some babies take a while to respond and even then don't always choose to respond. I have to remind my 3 year old to respond sometimes!

 

[loeylo]

The autism thing doesn't actually worry me, I know the signs to look out for but I thought id mention it anyway.

I am more worried about the possibility of seizures though. It isn't so much a lack of responding to her name as such, its more her not responding to any stimulus eg loud bangs, the dog, hand clapping, toys etc.
I might video it next time it happens.

 

[Misscalais]

Take her to the Drs and see what they think, there is no harm in getting things checked out.. I have 4 kids and i actually think it can be quite normal.

 

[minties]

When I've seen babies do this it's often a tired sign. However turning and staring at nothing on the wall also seems very common (and creepy!), I've seen so many threads on this over the years.

 

[loeylo]

Thanks ladies. I'm guessing she was probably tired as she slept for ages when she got home, she was in a new environment as well which I don't think helped her. My parents spend way more time with her and I guess they would be more aware of what an absence seizure looks like, given that they are both epileptic themselves and my dad works with people who have brain injuries and severe epilepsy.

I think I'm going to hold off for a bit, if it is epilepsy it obviously isn't severe and she's never unattended anyway. In hindsight I think she is probably fine and I don't want to seem neurotic!