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[quote=Anonymous]I think it's even more complicated based on what you said in your latest post, OP.  The talking you describe doesn't sound like echolalia, and a part of me thinks that you are expecting too much from pointing and joint attention.  My second kid is 17 months and points regularly (and we have no concerns about his development), but if I were to analyze what he's doing exactly when he's pointing, I'd say he's also kind of labeling like you describe.  He'll also point excitedly at a dog and say "doggie, doggie!"  He absolutely engages in joint attention with us, but I'm not sure I'd say it's easy to see all or even most pointing of his as clearly trying to show us something.  I mean, if I don't respond immediately to acknowledge seeing the dog, there are times he'd look to me and point more emphatically, but I don't immediately see that in my mind as I'm thinking about him doing it.

On the other hand, the fact that you've had concerns about eye contact, that there was a lack of interest in peekaboo, and that there's a family history of autism makes me feel there's more chance it could be autism.  However, you also seem to suggest that you and DH had symptoms that could have been flagged as possible autism but that neither of you feel you have autism.

So, there's also a good chance that your kid will turn out to be much like one or both of you, and it's going to be really, really hard to identify at a young age whether he actually has autism or whether he's going to be like you and have some red flags but not what will be defined as autism.  From this perspective, I feel a little like -- who really cares?  Just focus on helping him with his development the most you can!  Whether or not he'll have autism is sort of irrelevant, as much as I understand why you'd want to know.  If he's not pointing, then if there's a way to intervene and see if he's eligible for Early Intervention or a specialist who can help with some therapy that might help him do this more, then do it!  It's not going to be bad for him to be encouraged to do more joint attention activities and learn to point, no matter what.  Talk to your ped and lay out everything, including your history and why you are concerned about this.  But also be open to taking things slowly and not jumping too far into things focused on a diagnosis.  Focus on development, not on what it means.[/quote]

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