does it sound like autism?

[ashebs]

hi i have a 3yr old daughter who has many things that dont seem normal.
1) she refuses to play at all but will follow anyone around all day. 2) she is very slow at learning and has to be constantly told things.
3) she repeats herself over and over again even if you answer her.
4) she walks ridgy with her arms out or up. 5) she crys for no reason. 6) will not eat eat with everyone else, she will sometimes but very rarely. 7) she constantly hits herself or throws herself around and on the floor.
8) i have been toilet training her for a year and still she will not go and she poops her pants and it dosent seem to bother her at all. 9) on the rare occasion she will be playing and then just completely stop and stare into nothing very blank look on her face and becomes non responsive then after a while she blinks and continues to do what she was doing like nothing happened. 10) she also has a few fears, birds is the main fear but shes not afraid of normal things like hurting herself or being left alone.
11) she is very clumsy and doofy she will fall over the air and walks into doors and objects that are in clear veiw.
12) she is a little small for her age also shes 84cm tall and only weighs 10kg. her sister who is one is almost the same hight and weight shes off by 3cms and 1.4kgs. i myself am only 156cm and 48kgs her dad is 187cm and 68kgs.

we have taken her to many doctors and so far we have been told its because of my past life as a kid?? and that she hasnt had enough sleep from apnea she has since had her adenoids out and bilateral grommets in, but shes still the same. she also has large red blood cells which i think could have to do with her not learning as maybe there not carrying enough oxygen to her brain.
well my question is could this possible be a type of autism?
or if you have any other ideas?

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

Autism is a disorder defined by behavioral characteristics that involve delays in communication and repetitive movements and or activities. Differing people can meet the criteria for an autism diagnosis for differing reasons. Based on your description, it seems possible that your daughter might meet the autism criteria and I would recommend having her assessed, you doctor should be able to identify professionals in your area to do this. You are also identifying some issues that are not defining features of autism (i.e., clumsiness, low weight, etc...) and I would absolutely recommend continuing to attempt to find medical causes for these problems.

[ashebs]

sorry also she can not say very many words by herself but can mimic most words. she can tell me whos clothes are whos and where they all go but she cant do simple things like put her clothes on or clap her hands. she also studders when saying naughty she says nau nau nau nauty. and when her ruotine is disturbed even by a minute she goes crazy screaming crying climbing on everything and lashes out with kicking and hitting.