Could it be autism? as I am having strong concerns ....?

My friends little girl is now 16 months old and hasnt said one word like Dada, baba . She doesnt point for anything seems lost in her own world and stares at her hands for ages. She constantly bangs her feet on her cot end causing bruises. She screams in a very high pitch in excitement, is contented and hardly cries in a temper she will sit in her highchair showing no signs of wanting to feed herself (she will take the spoon but just to look at) or drinking from a beaker and has a bottle instead of trying. She only just is crawling but she doesnt seem interested in moving around. She knows her own name and will smile when she sees you. When i have tried Pat a Cake she will take my hands in hers and clap mine together. I am really worried she is such a sweet little girl but feel something is missing Neither parents seem to think that there may be a problem and dont seem to want her to learn or grow up. Her mother has told me in words that this child will always be her baby. What can I do or say Useful help wanted please as how to approach this. Or is normal? I am a mother with grown up kids and didnt encounter any of this.