toddler lays on floor and draws her legs up.

[ladylou1952]

For the past few weeks our 19 & 1/2 month old granddaughter is doing something I just cannot not make sense of.
It usually starts with a toy or something in her hands. She is fully dressed with clothes and diaper. She will lay down on a floor (doesn't matter if its carpet or not) place the item near the top of the diaper area kind of just below navel.Then she will raise her legs and lower them sometimes her knees are together other times just her feet are touching. Her eyes take on a glazed over look and I noticed she seem to be closing them slightly too. It's like she is totally zoned out. I have distracted her when she did it, but if I left her alone she went right back to the floor. Yesterday she did it 3 times in a 15 minute period.  She can lay like that for 10- 15 minutes each time.
She is an only child, she hasn't had much socialization with other children. I am so concerned about her. She doesn't talk yet only infant sounds like "ma ma ma or ga ga ga" sounds but seems bright. She knows the Dora cartoon and will come from another room to watch and dance in front of the tv.  I cannot engage her in toy playing. She wont stack blocks or put the right object in the matching holes. I have read so much about autism and child molestation my head hurts. She began walking around 14 months but sometimes she seems clumsy.  Any in sight you might have is appreciated.

[margypops]

aww that's great she will be a bit scared at first but will soon welcome the interaction with other children ..How great she has you to take her out ,I am sure she is adorable ... ..

[ladylou1952]

Thank you so much for your insight on this problem... we took her to an inside play area yesterday at a local mall (outside was stormy)  lots of kids running around wildly, they even scared me. She walked all around but did not want to sit on any toys in the play area. Like climbing & jumping off of toys. She didn't much care about the kids either way  but wasn't clinging to me.
Today we are going to a outside play structure with a petting zoo.  
I will do the library also....   I will do anything to make this adorable curly haired child be this best she can be.  
If you have any other ideas I check here many times during the day.  Thanks again.

[specialmom]

Hi there, agree with Margypops.  I think if you have her for these big chunks of time several days a week----------- this your opportunity to help.  Take her to parks, pools, reading time at the library or bookstores for toddlers, sign her up for kindermusik ( a class you'd do with her that incorporates music and movement  AND other kids)-------- etc. and start socializing with her.  She will not be playing WITH other kids yet but being around them is helpful and it also gives you a good grasp where other kids her age are at.  I'd do this each day she is with you.  

If you are in the states and mom is concerned, she can ask their doctor to refer to the birth to 3 early intervention program which is federally and state funded in which evaluations are provided for by law.  Some kids do talk later but you seemed concerned about her play skills as well and her lack of meaningful interaction is concerning.  However, that she comes a running for Dora is a good sign.  

And the rolling up of legs sounds a little bit like gastric distress---------  I'd not jump to molestation just yet.  Could it be boredom as well?  She's found something cool she can do and she wants to do it for lack of anything else more interesting at the moment?

Socialize with her, talk to her all the time, and seek the birth to three group in your area for guidance if there is anything else going on.  good luck

[margypops]

Certainly not talking would be a concern , does she get plenty of interaction, reading, games walks and lots of chatting from you and family ?If she plays alone that may also be a reason to behave the way you say she does, boredom, if she goes to do it, distract her ,get a game going ..As her mom is also concerned it may be a good idea to speak to her doctor .good luck

[ladylou1952]

Her mother is as concerned as I am about this.  Mom works afternoons so she is with me about 5 hours 4 days a week. Her daddy picks her up after he finished working so she spends the next few hours with him.  
Dad says not to be concerned but I think it's just not normal... I have never seen this before and I have 3 other grandchildren from my other daughter. They are older (teenagers).
This along with her not talking has me worried.

[margypops]

What does her mom say about this behavior does she do it when she is around ? Are you the sole caregiver , has she any siblings she may be learning this from others .I suggest you mention it to her Mom and see if she thinks asking the doctor would help if its a concern ..