Is Infant Head Lag A Sign That Your Child Is On the Autistic Spectrum?

A new study suggests that infants who show a delay in head and neck muscle control may be at risk for autism.  A baby typically is able to control neck muscles by around the age of four months.  Meaning that when being pulled from a lying to a sitting position baby's head should remain in line with torso and not flop back.  My concern is that autism is already being overdiagnosed and findings did not gaurantee a link by any means.  In fact thirty-five percent of the children who experienced this head lag at 6 months appeared to be developing normally by age 30 to 36 months.  Also delays in reaching this developmental milestone have already been associated with premature babies and in babies with cerebral palsy who are not autistic.  Of additional concern to me was the participants in this study were all in the high risk category for autism.  Each participant had an older sibling diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

My advice is to be observant of your baby, keep your pediatrician up-to-date on your infants milestones and they will let you know when the delays are something to worry about.  Don't worry if your baby is not keeping up with the Jones' baby, all babies develop differently.