Just your Thoughts....

[MHensley1975]

My son is getting screened for autism. While I am waiting for the appointment to come could you please answer a question for me? My son is 2. He has what I believe is regressive autism because he was fine 1 year ago. The words he knew at 1 was dada, mama and bite. He now says Mom and bite. In the course of the last year we could get him to say wow, uh oh, ball and other misc words but after he says them for about 2 days he doesnt say them anymore, like he forgets, is that normal in autism? I dont know how he will ever learn to speak this way. He goes right back to just mom and bite. He doesnt understand words either, he calls me and my husband mom, and a bite is anything that will go in his mouth like pacifier or cup. He also just says bite sometimes all day long. He mumble jumbles all the time when we are out which we are used to at home but when we are out in public people just look. Last time we went to the store he made monkey noises which was really cute. Anyway, I have tired over and over to teach him words and its just like it dont work at all. He also stims, lack of eye contact, anti social etc. ....

[SimplyStar]

The progress being made in Autism is fantastic, I have worked in this field for over 30 years now and I see the progress being made in the schools on control of actions and progress in learning to cope with it not only with the individual but with the family.  I work out of a facility for adults with disabilities and we have placed many people with Autism out in the community with real jobs. In the facility they are usually the best performing workers and happy to be productive. I do not see the uncontrolled behavior so much any more, it is being programmed out of their habitual actions.  Just be sure you have  good teachers for your children that have a background of behavior management.  The most important thing I have seen is that the happy, social person is the one that interacts well with others.  Do everything you can to draw out that personality. It is there and just needs to be nurtured. Do a large variety of activities that are meaningful learning tools and will help distract behaviors and redirect them to participate with you.  I have Job Coached many Autistic adults into real jobs in the community and with repetative teaching they became independent workers.  Do not allow them to be baby sat by the TV, patience will pay off in the long run and you will have a delightful son/daughter.  I think one thing that amazes me to this day is their remarkable memory. Once they learn it, they remember it.

[MHensley1975]

Thank You very much for your response. I am afraid to go to the appt. because I know my son and I know what he has but when a medical specialist tells you it seems like it takes that little bit of doubt you have away. I love him with all my heart and always will. No matter what.

[micaela27]

it is very common for autistic behavior to begin right around the 18 month mark.  this could explain why your son seemed to learn words and interaction with adults well up until a year ago, but then seemed to regress.  to my knowledge, there isn't a technical "regressive autism" label - this is just the typical course of development for a child who is autistic (the seemingly normal behavior with a sudden regression around or before the age of 2).

i'm so glad you're getting him tested.  best of luck with everything.  i have worked as an early intervention therapist with autistic two year olds and it's a joy and a challenge to see what each new days brings.  you'll be ok no matter the diagnosis.

[MHensley1975]

Yes, My sons problems are so apparent that it would be hard for any parent to miss. He stims, really bad and doesnt follow commands or looks when you call his name. It breaks your heart when one day your child will say a word and then the next day he wont say it, in fact you wont ever hear it again. One day I offered him a bottle and he said no and shook his head no, he did that one time and that was 4 months ago. Its like he has fleeting moments of awareness.

[505]

Lack of contact, anti social, stimming would make me eager to find out what is going on, because those are some actions of a child with autism.  If it is, it seems like you recognized it early which is great because Early Intervention makes a big difference.