Autism - Queries

Hosanna,
A sixteen month old will not show interest in peers. Peer interaction starts at a much later stage(2.5-3 yrs in boys to start showing interest and at least 3.5-4 for meaningful play).
Spinning is your only concern? I'd say wait and watch. Speech at 16 months isn't a good indicator of anything. I know a lot of typical boys who never spoke a word until 2.5 yrs old.
Socializing with adults is what is expected from toddlers. Even if you go for an eval your evaluator will say wait and watch unless he meets a lot of autism criteria - stemming, hyperactivity, sleep issues, behavioral issues etc.
I don't think you should be concerned unless there are other things. Even here I have responded to people who had toddlers who haven't spoken much but then started talking past two years. You can search for those old threads.
I'm not the right person to tell you not to be completely at ease though. I was at this point a couple of yrs ago when my two years old was not talking much(lost his words), was lining up objects and I just had this feeling something was off. A year later we found out he is on the ASD spectrum. I kept talking to peds who kept telling me there was nothing wrong with him because he was learning well(knew letters/numbers etc) and was very social with them.
I do feel guilty that I didn't go earlier for a developmental assessment but the assessor would have waited because technically he was saying things and not aggressive and having social interactions.
Where in India are you staying? In six or so months if you feel the speech is not improved much, you see other concerns, you can go get a developmental evaluation. You can go sooner, some developmental pediatricians see children at 18 months. If the ped says there isn't anything wrong, you will have so much of peace of mind.
Based on what you are saying I think they will put you at ease though. There is probably y nothing wrong with him and he is a typical toddler, who doesn't have a care in the world.
Hth,
L

 

Hosanna,
The bolded words above concern me more than lack of speech. Especially the head banging. Speech can come slowly in some kids but behavioral issues need to be addressed. How far are you from the nearest city? Pediatricians themselves are not aware of ASD symptoms and often give false reassurance. You definitely need to see a Dev pediatrician. I know one only in BLR but look at the one Shanvy has suggested.
If I were you, I won't wait with the behavioral issues. Therapy can help sooner, the younger they are.
I know a few who were diagnosed at 15 months because of behavioral issues and by 3 got integrated because they got early therapies. Mine didn't have behavioral issues and hence the delay in me figuring out something was wrong.
Btw, you mentioned spinning wheels. Wheels of cars I assume. Does he ever play with cars appropriately? Or is it only spinning? Sometimes, regular kids can do it but not as repetitively. Same with the light switches, does he use it appropriately? To turn on the light when it's dark and keep it turned on?
When does he do the head banging? When he is throwing a tantrum? All toddlers throw tantrums, what is the length of each one though? Does he get distracted during such an episode and forget whatever it is that bothers him and play with other things? Are his tantrums easily handle able? My older DD was an ultra tantrum thrower but she is a regular kid. My son doesn't throw tantrums and he is ASD.

Btw, when he does something like spinning etc, don't call any attention to it. Just take away the toy and give him something else. When he play appropriately give lots of positive attention. Same with head banging. Of course prevent it, take him away if you have to but don't say or pay attention to it. Things like "OMG, you will hurt yourself, don't do it" etc will have the opposite effect in toddlers. They have no understanding of hurt and don't so they do it just for your reaction. Just don't pay any attention, don't make eye contact when he is doing it, take him away and play with cars or go outside and look at cats and dogs or something.
Similarly with the light switch, block the switch by placing yourself in front of the switch and do something fun like finger painting or playing with aata(play dough), or something else fun. Don't cover the switch and make him more curious to go remove the cover and get to the switch because when you don't let babies do things that's what piques their interest the most.
I made a big mistake with my son initially. Unknowingly, I locked all kitchen cupboards, put all curios and other expensive objects inside, put gates all over the house and make the house child proof. That's what you do with a naught toddler, right? No, you keep all those things unlocked, block the little guy from opening cupboards. This strategy works better in the long run when you go to places that aren't child proofed. I'd cover outlet plugs etc though. I don't want to have dangerous situations at home. Same holds for knifes, cleaning chemicals and supplies and other sharp and dangerous objects. But if he opens the cupboard with the cooker and idli thattus, I let him play for a while and put the cooker and idli thattus back. Sometimes I tell him, you can't get the cooker now. I need to make idlis now. And find a toy outside the kitchen. Such things that don't hurt him, I keep it accessible but out of bounds.

Continue doing what you do with him. Don't worry about speech as much. Worry about things like him hurting himself.

HTH,
L