Should I be concerned about my 7 month old?

Hello all,

My son is 2.5 and has an autism diagnosis.  I also have a 7 month old.  She just started babbling a week ago and for the past three days has stopped.  Needless to say, I'm freaking!  Do any of you know if starting and stopping with the babbling is fairly common?  How long before I get really concerned?  Everyone's telling me it's nothing, but I feel I have a right to be a little paranoid given I already have an ASD child.

[Jessica L Thomason Sassi, Ph.D., BCBA-D]

There is an increased risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in siblings of individuals with the disorder, but I wouldn’t worry deeply about a change in behavior that has only lasted a few days – especially if other aspects of her development have seemed fairly normal up until now.  It sounds as though she is on track, as babbling tends to begin around 6 or 7 months. However, if you don’t see her begin babbling again within a few weeks, I would encourage you to share your concerns with your pediatrician, who can help you decide whether your concern is warranted. In the meanwhile, keep in mind that there is a wide range in the “normal” timelines of development.