Does it sound like Autism?

[raven15]

My son just turned three years old and  is not talking on a three year old level. He has just started to make two-three word sentences. He uses  non verbal communication and likes to point at things. He can say and name objects  around the house. He spontaneously speaks words and sentences like the A,B,C, song or "I love Mama", I love Dada".
He has great eye contact. If you ask him his name and age he will tell you. He plays with all his toys equally and likes to dress and feed his Elmo toy. He'll put his Elmo at the table and to bed with the blanket over it like it's sleeping. He does flap his hands and do a little dance like motion, when he's excited or happy about something. I do know he hums while he does activities that are fun for him. He appears to be very social at the park. He will imitate children and try to interact with them. He is not shy around adults. He smiles at strangers and tries to sit next to other parents at the park. He wants to be the center of attention and enjoys the company of others at home.  He shows affection and will hug and kiss spontaneously. He doesn't have as many tantrums as he use to and they go away if you ignore him.

I recently took him to the pediatrician  for his wellness check and the doctor said that everything was fine and he's just a little behind. The doctor promoted speech therapy and said there was nothing to worry about. I also took him to a child neurologist for an exam. The neurologist also  did not seem to think anything was wrong. He also mentioned speech therapy and time. However the school district evaluated my son with specialists and said that he was possibly autistic. I  don't know what to think. I know my son have some problems and is slow but I'm not comfortable with Autism. There are too many things my son does that are not in the norm for Autism. I'm so lost in all this and don't know what to do. I would love to hear another opinion  or some advice. Thank You!

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

Diagnostic criteria for Pervasive Developmental Disorders (including Autism, Asperger’s, and others) include delays in social interaction skills, communication skills, and the presence of stereotyped or restricted behavior and interests.  There is some variability in what is considered “typical” development, and it sounds as though your pediatrician was comfortable with his current level of development.  
It can be very confusing to get opposing opinions on your child’s diagnosis from different professionals.  Although I’d like to help, the only way to get an accurate diagnosis is through an in-person evaluation by a qualified professional.   Given the conflicting recommendations and feedback, I would recommend that you take a conservative and proactive approach: Avail yourself of any services that have been offered (e.g., speech therapy) without going overboard with additional assessment at this time.   Give him some time to respond to the therapy (at least a few months, I’d imagine) and then perhaps ask for a re-assessment.  If his speech development is later assessed to be typical, and he is not showing any other signs of delay, then you can rest easy.  If however, he continues to struggle, then you haven’t lost any time in getting him some help and might consider pursuing further services for him.
Good luck to you and your family.

[SHER2112]

I have to agree from personal experience. Our son had limited vocabulary at age two but always had great eye contact, interpersonal skills. He did not play with his toys very much but showed interest in other children etc.

We had numerous assessments and many opinions. We settled on speech therapy which led to OT for some sensory issues that were driving the communication delays. Our son flourished in therapy from age 2 to age 5 when the therapist actually used him as the role model for the other children.

We have a Neuro Typical diagnosis at this point and I do believe he probably was a late bloomer all along. I know the therapy was essential in helping him find his way through some communication difficulties and I couldn't be more proud of him!

S

[thirdkidney]

raven, your son sounds just like a little boy in our church. His parents were frustrated over their child's pointing and non verbal ways, and of course, always comparing his behavior with other 3 year olds.  Their pediatrician referred him to a speech therapist and that was the best thing!  He has so improved in the communication department and is one of the most social and friendly 6 year olds I know.  It's like he was released from his prison.  

And as far as the school system suggesting autism, well, I will say that a non professional giving that kind of diagnosis possibility is out of line.  I work in Special Education in the school system and I can tell you now that saying such a thing to a parent could get someone in trouble and financially responsible for that child's care.  Whatever a school person might suggest, they had better have some resources to back up their claims!

You sound like you have a very normal child on your hands.  Put little one in speech therapy now!  By the time he gets to Kindergarten, he'll be caught up.