Possible Autism?

[tcjckc]

Hi, I had my 24 month old daughter evaluated the other day. They said that she had a speech delay and some A typical tendencies. She will be in Speech therapy and pretty much have her own preschool teacher for the next 3 months. I am also placing her in Story Time at the library. I have went all over the internet for any disorder that could resemble her and have found none. She does have a hard time with eye contact, which I am honestly not that worried about. She has very little speech so I am not expecting much eye contact. I will make her look at me when I talk to her and it seems to be improving. She does hand flap on occasion, although this happens less and less. She throws miniture tantrums when not getting her way. This irritated me more than anything, they said that it was A typical. I mean she is 2, what do they expect? She ignores me when I talk to her about 75 percent of the time and sometimes she gets so fixated on one thing that its hard to get her attention. This is also rare. I do it to, by the way. I also pitched horrible fits, including hitting myslef. She might hit herself when mad to. All of these things are happening less and less. It seems to be that she is controlling these urges better without help. I have also counted at least 32 words that she has used more than once and also 13 sentences. She uses all of these words and phrases in the right context. She might have a hard time understanding, but that also seems to be improving. She is doing more and more that I ask. She also has a hard time paying attention to anything and seems very hyper at times, but she can sit still when she wants to. She does point when she wants something and even says "right there" along with it or "I want that". She has a hard time following a point. She will let me know when she is thirsty, by bringing me her cup or saying "I thirsty". She will stand in the kitchen and whine when hungry or she might say "bite". She is very affectionate to everyone, not strangers, but grandmaw. She loves to death and she might only see her once a weak and she also loves her uncle Jeremy, who she might see once a month or less. She absolutely loves other kids and is very aware of us and her surroundings. She will sit and play with me and other kids. Not for a long time, but she will interact. She does bring me a toy occasionally to inspect, she does look to me when faced with something new, and she has occasionally pointed to something interesting and said "whats that". I have looked all over the internet for possible disorders. The closest fits or Autism or Adhd. Is it possible to be diagnosed with ADHD this young. I also have ADHD, by the way. So it would be more than possible for her to have it. My problem with saying it is Autism is the fact, that her speech is picking up, she is understanding better, she is not in her own world, and her A typical tendencies are slowing down, if not stopping alltogether. I am also worried about siezures, her great grandmother had epilepsy and my daugher "spaces out" more frequently now and for longer periods than ever before. She also makes odd finger movements when doing this. When she comes out of it she goes about her business like nothing happened. I guess I am just wondering what you think. I love my daughter dearly and want to get her help if she needs it. I just dont want her to be diagnosed until we know for sure. She is going to be evaluated again in 3 months. She will also be going to see a pshycologist in 3 months. To me, my daughter may be a little odd and a little behind, but not enough for anyone else to notice, except me and her grandmother. So the problem cant really be a big one right? Sorry its long, Thank you so much.

[problempat]

As you probably know, Autism is a spectrum disorder.  She may have one of the higher functioning forms since she appears to have some language and can make her requests known.  My grandaughter now 13 was not diagnosed with Aspergers until she was 9.  Her pediatrition said she was just a late talker--not to worry.  She went to a developmental preschool at age 4 AFTER being tested for developmental delays.  Then thru her early first 3 years of elementary school, her teachers told her she would catch up because they were providing her with special services--an hour a day--speech therapy, etc.  However, she did NOT catch up and by the time she was diagnosed, she was so far behind that the therapies did not help.  She got so far behind in school that my daughter just 3 months ago withdrew her from school and is now homeschooling her the best she can.  My grandson, by my OTHER daughter is 11 and also has Autism (my only 2 grandchildren) however, he was diagnosed, not specifically with Autism at 2 and a half when first evaluated, although the neurologist suspected it.  About a year later or so, he was officially diagnosed.  HIS mom started him in every kind of therapy at barely age 3 BEFORE the diagnosis and now he is mainstreemed in school.  My grandaughter is clearly autistic--she had no early intervention.  My grandson WITH early intervention appears to be typically developing although he clearly has social deficits.  My suggestion?  Follow through with the evaluation!!  If the doctor suspects Autism, please get her in to speech therapy, OT, and every therapy you can.  My precious Brittany now a teenager will never reach her potential because she did not have the early intervention.  Please don't let that happen to your little one!

[Dazon50]

Thank you for sharing.  You have a good grasp from the sounds of it of what is going on.  You are being realistic and open to possbilities realizing that she is young and things can change.

It is good she will have someone working with her.  My daughter started with a significant developmental delay & also had tubes put in her ears because of repeated ear infections & fluid in ears.  When they are so young, things can change, but working with them is important.  Documenting what is going on will help when being asked questions as well as help you to see what is not going away, what appears now & then (could be due to illness, mood or ?), etc.  My younger daughter had seizures after her shots and I had to film then to prove to the doctor after she had her shots.  She spaced out and her head would bob.  It didn't happen a lot so I had to really watch her to catch them.

You have some professionals in the picture to monitor and if you choose to get other opinions you can.  I understand the reluctance to pin anything on her when she is so young.  That is what I was told when mine was 2, that a lot can change.  She is fortunate to have you actively involved in getting answers and help for her.

I wish you the best.  Waiting isn't so easy when you want to do so much but not sure what exactly to do beyond loving her.