Is this autism?

My son is turning 2 and half years old. His physical development like jumping, kicking, climbing, etc, seems to be perfect at his age, except talking and communication skills. He don’t like to communicate with kids of same age. He can play of his own for whole long hours without bothering other kids. Even to communicate with us he uses action or shows his needs through action rather than pointing or trying to say that particular word. Talks only few words in a day or just babbles and coos but he understands most of the instruction we give, at times he follows it other times just ignores it. Just depends on his mood. He don’t like a person talking on microphone. He feels people shouting at him and starts throwing tantrums and crying that very moment. Otherwise he loves music and enjoys it a lot. Is this sign of autism and how to handle this kind of situations? As a parent what should we do to make him communicate verbally. Please help...

[Susie2007]

While it could be autism, it may very well be something else. Have you tried calling the Early Intervention Team from your school district to come and evaluate your child? He may simply have a speech problem and some sensitivities to noise, etc. Early intervention is crucial for autistic children. Don't wait. The district pays for therapies for these children.

[KimKSmith79]

Jayeeta -
Did you ever pursue looking into an early intervention program with your school district?  How did it go?  I have a son that is 26 months old, very agile - able to hold a pen/pencil almost perfectly, can be affectionate, normally makes eye contact with others, physically developing quickly - but he only says approx 10 words in total. He also REALLY enjoys musical instruments,playing them, watching others play them, moving back and forth to music --- but just doesn't have the vocabulary that most two-year olds have.   He is currently in an 'in-home' daycare so he doesn't get a lot of interaction with other kids his age at all-  so his social skills are slowly developing as well.  We are looking into taking him to a local AEA office for early intervention screening, but are just apprehensive in taking this step.  Just hoping to get some feedback from someone in a similar situation.

[mjthewriterdad]

Just keep watching and taking notes.  2 1/2 is a bit young for a specific autism dx.  But he can be m-teamed to get spec ed intervention. Then they (AND YOU) design a program to fit his individual needs.  See my journal entry on how to get the m-team eval done.

Bassicly you can write a letter outlining your concerns and ask for a multi-disciplinary team to evaluate your child and set your stopwatch for 90 days.  Make sure you mention federal IDEA law.

Is he in a school program?

If yes,
talk to his teacher or case manager.  If the teacher/case manager is unresponsive, go up the ladder.  Talk to the principal, school psychologist, school speech therepist or OT, or PT.   You can ask if your child to be evaluated for special needs.

If no,
For preschool age children:  every school district in the USA is mandated by IDEA to have a "child find" agency within the school district.  Child Find purpose is to screen and identify children with Exceptional Educational Needs.   They shoud be an outreach team to seek out these children.   Get in touch with the school district and ask for child find office and they should take it from there.