@buhay.azul: Could you tell from this video that I was going through a “denial phase” about my child’s autism? 
Arya was around 12–13 months old when my aunt, who was visiting from the Philippines, said something that completely shook me: 
“There’s something wrong with her. She’s like your other niece who is autistic. She doesn’t respond to her name.” 
I was SHOOK. 😳 
I honestly didn’t expect her to say that because, to me, Arya seemed fine.
She always slept in my arms because she couldn’t sleep in her crib for long and would cry all night, so I would just hold her.
After work, I was always with her. She would look at me when I played with her or sang to her. 
She clapped with me. She gave me high fives! 
…Or did she? 
Watch the video closely. 
After what my aunt said, I started testing her—but I also made sure to do things I already knew would get a response from her. 
And she did respond. 
I told myself I was open-minded about the possibility of autism, but honestly, I kept going back and forth. 
Maybe she was just shy. Maybe she was an introvert. Maybe she was just developing differently. 
Because she DID clap. She DID seem to respond to her name. 
But looking back… did she really? 
And honestly, did I—or any of us—really know how to test a baby’s social communication at that age? 
As parents, we don’t expect these things to happen, so most of us aren’t actively watching for them. 
And babies, whether autistic or not, will naturally respond to sounds, movement, lights, and other sensory input. So sometimes, it can be easy to interpret a response as something it may not actually be. 
Looking back, yes—I was probably in denial, too. 
But I hope sharing our videos can help other parents become more observant of their child’s development and, when something feels different, feel more comfortable bringing it up with their pediatrician or a developmental professional. 
Instead of baby talk, try calling their name in a neutral voice. 
Do they look?
How many times do you have to call them before they respond? 
Talk to someone in a neutral voice while your baby is nearby. Do they look toward the person? Gaze at them? Follow them when they move? 
These observations alone cannot diagnose autism—but they can be things worth noticing and discussing with a professional if you have concerns. 
Watch for the full version of this video so you can see how much she actually responded to her name. 🩵 #buhayazul #autismawareness #autismmom #autismjourney #autismlife

Buhay Azul

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Region: US

Thursday 08 October 2026 13:14:30 GMT