concerned friend

[pumpkin310258]

My friend has a 2 year old girl. I am concerned that she may have some form of autism. i have tried to voice my concerns and her response has been that the pediatrician says she is fine. Some things i have noticed are. She walks on her toes. when she is visiting she runs back and forth in my living room pretty much continuously. She very very rarely makes eye contact. she doesn't point or want to play with other kids. She also doesn't wave hi or bye. i would love some feed back. thanks

[pumpkin310258]

Thank you for your input. And i will continue to be a supportive friend. i love her daughter very much and always will no matter what. thanks again

[specialmom]

Hello.  I know you have the best intentions, but I have found that many parents don't want to hear what friends have to say.  Even if you are right on target, if she isn't open to the discussion, don't push it.  If her daughter is on the autistic spectrum, she will find out soon enough.  Just be a supportive friend and tell her how much you love her daughter.

I will tell you that when my son was being diagnosed I was very sensative.  I had two people in my life talk about my son in a way that I became very defensive about.  Do you know that I have never once confided in them since then what my son's diagnosis was or talked to them about the situation?  I'm a reasonable, educated person but I've had that reaction to a friend and a sister in law.  I'm still friendly with them but I do not share any of my son's business.  They were too foreceful during at a vulnerable time that they turned me off from any further discussions.  So . . . tread lightly.  goodluck

[KarenDiane]

Aside from the lack of eye contact, nothing you described really screams autism to me. Impossible to tell though without a professional assesment.