9 weeks old hasn't really smiled yet, could it be autism paranoia

[moiralilith]

I'm very concerned. My baby just turned 9 weeks and has yet to smile back at me. There is eye contact for the most part. He can follow moving objects such as his mobile or when I move a small flashlight over his head. He can lift his head 45 degrees when doing tummy time. He does get startled at loud noises. Therefore, no issues with eyes or ears. Can the lack of smiles mean autism?

[DaughterOfKali]

It's way too soon to even think about autism. He's only 9 weeks which is still quite young. If he isn't smiling at 3-6 months old, then ask your pediatrician.

[askew]

At 12 weeks if there is no smiling the first thing to look at is vision. Sometime vision problems prevent smiling. Way too early IMO to be thinking Autism.

[sbgrace]

I'm sorry you're worried.
I agree with the previous posters that it's too early to be worried about the smiling.
The things to watch:
Smiles by six months.
Back and forth stuff (smiling in response, exchanging sounds after each other, etc.) by 9 months.
Babbling by a year.
Pointing to show you things by a year.
Lack of consistent response to name by a year.
First words by 18 months.
Spontaneous two word strings ("go out", etc.) by 24 months.

My typically developing child was much later to smile than my spectrum child. He was also later to babble. Both were within the normal ranges.

My spectrum child wasn't responded to his name or pointing by a year.
I suspected/was worried earlier because he wasn't lifting arms to be picked up, responding to his name, etc. The things above are flags. For some/many of them there are other causes outside of autism. So they are pay attention/figure out what's happening flags not it's definitely autism flags.

If you're worried about autism or a worrier in general I suggest you have a list like above and don't "worry" about it or try to figure out if there is an issue until you hit those ages at each point. So no worrying until six months at the earliest. The biggest clues would be in place at a year.

[moiralilith]

Thanks, I'll just be patient and pray he's ok.