My 2 y/o grandson

Hi Dr. Ahearn,

I may not ask this where you can answer.  My oldest son has a 2 y/o who had problems at birth and some following, leaving him after awhile seemingly perfectly normal...Both of his parents are special ed teachers. I spoke with my son the other day,,,we discussed his 2 y/o not talking. He just turned two.  He says maybe 3 words. He seems exceptionally intelligent to all of us, just not verbal...He does have different behavior..Parents keep to a schedule and keep their home nice, neat and clean. Abram, does what they do. If he sees a door open, even from his high chair, he HAS to get out or have someone else shut it..If someones shoes aren't put away, he does it as soon as he sees them.
It's very cute and keeps your attention. What it "appears" to be is the 3 of them are a unit and he just joins in. He does go to daycare and does fine their. He relates to other people, even those he doesn't know...

I've felt for awhile he may have some autism, or something along those lines. My son said this week his wife is beginning to thing so too.  They do have someone come to their home once a week to teach him to communicate, sign language, but more than this, and not in the traditional way. That's really all I know. I don't believe anymore that Abram isn't talking cause he doesn't need to...

What is your opinion?

Thank you for being here?...Rhonnie

[Jason C Bourret, Ph.D., BCBA]

If I may, I'll answer this for Dr. Ahearn. In general, if you have concerns, I would recommend that your grandson be assessed. It sounds like he is already getting early intervention services, which is fantastic. Interest in others and relating to others are both very good signs but it wouldn’t hurt to have him assessed and it might lead to him receiving further services that are beneficial for him.