I'm not sure where to start with my blank stare son

[BeccaRae88]

My son is 5 years old now. The star of my life. He is in a special education pre k. No actual diagnosis, just a lot of unique qualities. He has a lot of wonderful unique things about him that I just accept as being who he is. Recently I was at a local pizza place my significant other works at. I was helping him out, he was short staffed. I noticed an older child with ALL the same behaviors as my son. It put me into a panic attack, out of fear my child will stay in his same behaviors with no improvement. Long story short I would like to figure out where to start and get some support and insight what's actually going on. So, I'll start explaining a few of his wonderful unique traits. He's always repeated himself. Mostly movie quotes. He tends to be in his own little world. Spaces off. When we go to stores, he never pays attention to whats going on around him. He'll walk into people, or objects. I usually have to move him around things or people, and remind him to pay attention or your going to run into someone. When we are in parking lots, he likes to walk in the cracks. Even if a car is right there, he will pay no attention to it. He speaks in third person. He will say, "I want water" or "can I have yogurt" but if you show him a picture of himself he says, "that's Jordan". His motor skills are great for the most part. Runs, jumps, throws balls, and everything a normal boy will do. He does however have an obsession with dirt. Or things he can sprinkle. He loves taking dirt and watching the wind take it, or watching dust clouds. He could do it all day if you let him. He likes the texture of things. Rough table tops, play doh, fuzzy objects. His social skills with strangers is odd. If someone ask him how old he is, he says nothing. Or ask what his name is, if he goes to school. He doesn't become shy, just ignores them for the most part. He doesn't like eye contact. He has a magnitude of traits and i just always accepted them and worked hard to teach him new things. He grasp new concept but its takes a lot of receptivity. I want to know other people who i can learn from and help him grow into all the wonderful things he's capable of.

[specialmom]

I did want to say that it is true we should not just put our kids into a classification, just one though.  We know our kids the best and usually a mom has some kind of internal feeling that something is wrong.  My older son has a developmental delay and I knew he needed help deep down.  My younger son has some early speech issues that his preschool teacher brought to my attention.  Just as I knew my older son needed some help, I knew my younger son was fine.  And his speech issues resolved on their own very quickly.  

So, parents do know there kids best and that should be factored into all diagnosis of our children.  luck to parents

[specialmom]

liakatz, actually that is inaccurate regarding sensory symptoms.  Case in point?  My son.  

I encourage parents to explore options for intervention with their children.  Our son's occupational therapy was a true blessing and exactly what he needed to overcome his challenges.  

good luck to the parents who post.  

[liatkatz]

well you observed an older kid once.  That doesnt mean he is always doing those things. Imagine if someone viewed your kid on a bad day and similarly panicked. something to bear in mind. You shouldnt be concerned with him keeping behaviors. You should be concerned with the overall arc of progress. All of this ASD madness, how many adults do you know with the issues that the kids have. It can take time but it will get better as the child matures and the brain matures. I have worked in special ed my whole life and i will tell you, and maybe this will change your perspective on the older kid, sensory problems are impossible to combat. you can work to densensitize but the brain body connections need to mature.  Sounds like your son has a genuine speech disorder and isnt picking up language as readily as other kids. It will get better. Keep correcting him. Keep correcting him. It will sink in but its important you recruit others to correct him as well.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I can understand your apprehensions regarding your little one. The traits you describe can be a part of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). The other possibility is PPD-NOS or Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified, which is characterized by loss of social interaction skills and communication. Some even consider it as sub-threshold autism. He could also be having relatively poor sight and hence could be banging into things. It can however be part of ASD. However a comprehensive investigation by a pediatrician is required for a confirmed diagnosis. Treatment depends upon behavioral history, social competence communication patterns, current symptoms, and neuropsychological functioning. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.