not sure if 2yr old child has autism

[tariqdee]

Me and my husband just recently got custody of his 2yr old son that is showing signs of autism.  First he cannot talk u may be able to understand some things and even that hard to understand he's not potty trained he only goes to the bathroom only if u tells him to go he doesn't tell u when he has to go. He constantly plays with his hands, bits on his bottom lip and takes and thing that's cloth and rubs it up his nose ,legs arms and hands especially his hands. He has been to the doctors but they weren't able to tell us anything as of yet. They want him to have a hearing test first then i guess they will move from there. They did mention that he is delayed and also he may be in the autistic family somewere but kinda left it as that. The problem that i having is that he's not my bioligical child but he is n my care since im married to his father but his father is n denial with alot of his issues and think that he will grow out of these problem. We have him putting on and taking off his clothes every day, by the third day he forgets how to take his clothes on and off, by the way he will be 3yr old n february.  Dr. i just need ur opinion on what the problem is by the way u can be honest with me. I am a nurse working at jefferson hospital n philadelphia i only worked with children for a small amount of time so its hard for me to put my finger on it.  Thank you your help is greatly appreciated.

[Sally44]

Speech and Language Therapist is the first stage.  And I would also ask outright about your suspicions about autism.  Bringing the word out into the open means that professionals will refer the child for assessments.  Without your asking you could wait years for another professional (usually in nursery or school), to bring up the idea of having your child evaluated.  You really need things to be started now because there is a better prognosis and improvement the younger the child.
As he also seems to showing alot of sensory behaviour I would recommend you google Sensory Integration Disorder.  An Occupational Therapist with experience of this disorder as well as autism should assess the child.  You can also buy a very good book by a woman called Olga Bodashina called Sensory and Perceptual Differences in Autism and Aspergers.  The questionnaire at the back of this book is used by our Autism Outreach Department for caregivers to complete to give them a sensory profile of the child.  You can also google her name and read articles by her printed in Autism Today.

[Bayoubaby1]

My son is 2 1/2 and is in the process of getting a diagnosis.  Here is what I would suggest for you...if there is a delay in speech, then you qualify for a state evaluation before the age of three.  The pediatrician should have notified them already since it sounds like there is a speech issue.  You can call the office and they can tell you the name of the program that does early interventions in your state.  Our is First Steps here in La., but there are differnt names for the programs in other parts of the country.  When he turns three then the local school boards step in and take over with evaluations and therapy.  The earlier you get help for the child, the better the prognosis.  I hope that some of this helps, and that you get some help soon.