Autism?Aspegers? Delay?

[deckla1]

My three year old son (4-26-03) exhibits behavior that is a concern to his daycare teachers, my husband and me, and family members.  His speech is delayed, Pediatrician said most likely to ear infections/tubes in ears.  "wait and see" approach taken.  He still speaks jargon/gibberish, unclear.  Some things are clearer than others.  His social situation is what concerns most.  He is a loner.  He will not play with other children except his 4 yr. old brother.  He becomes extremely anxious with new situations and people, cries and clings.  Still exhibits severe anxiety when seperating from me.  You cannot make him do something he doesn't want to do.  If he refuses to do art or participate in group things at daycare, there is nothing anyone can do to calm him. When asked to do something he cries and whines, throws tantrums.  If he doesn't want to do it, that's it.  Coordination, motor skills are ok.  Speech and social are a concern.  My sister-in-law teaches special ed and says he displays characteristics of an autistic child.  He doesn't seem to understand what is said to him most of the time, as if he is deaf.  You cannot have a conversation with him. He will repeat the last word you say instead of answering questions appropriately. He repeats lines from movies without warning.  He is very loving and likes to be held and touched by mom and dad and grandparents.  What is this?  Normal or what?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

No, this profile certainly is not normal. The best intervention would be to arrange an evaluation by a developmental pediatrican or a developmental psychologist (or a team of professionals, including pediatrician, speech/language pathologist, psychologist, psychiatrist). Pinning down the hearing issue will be very imprtant, though it's likely he can hear generally well because he's repeating things he hears in conversations or from movies. It could be that he displays a condition along the Pervasive Developmental Disorder continuum, but more precise diagnostic work is needed to determine that.

[dismom]

Do not take a wait and see attitude. We have a 6 yr old and everyone Drs, friends, family, preschool teachers told us to wait it out. We felt there might be a problem when our son was 2 1/2, now in kindergarden we just had him tested. Yes he has problems, Pervasive Development Disorder, Sensory Intergration problems, ADD ..... Do not wait, we are now playing catch up. Find out ASAP the sooner you get a diagnosis the sooner you can help your child and your family. Be strong and fight for your child. Good luck.

[Annalise]

My son by age three also had problems with communication and a tendancy to be a loner.  And I was also told that he would outgrow it, etc.  I finally had him screened through our local school district, and he was ultimately diagnosed with a very mild case of Asperger's.  Now he is in kindergarten and is doing great after getting speech and other kinds of therapies for the past couple of years.  He's playing games with other kids, talking in long sentences and is more able to focus on what we're saying.

In addition to talking to medical professionals, I would definitely have him screened through your local school district, which is required to do so by law.  He may qualify to attend a special ed preschool.

[sabrina6]

I have a 3 yr old daughter. Her birthday is 3-3-00.  She also has a speech problem.  She can tell me a cookie is on the table but she cannot tell me or ask me to get it for her.  She doesn't seem to understand simple statements like "Get your cup" or "Get your shoes".  I kept thinking it was a speech problem and when she turned 3 she would snap out of it.  But she is not.  She is not potty trained and doesn't understand to go potty when she is sitting on it.  She can identify pictures and repeats everything. She can sing songs and sing the alphabet song but she can't or seems like she refuses to do what we ask her to.  She has had a hearing test and she is fine. I recently had her evaluated for services at our school district but the first evaluation really didn't come up with what she may have.  She also plays by herself or with her 4 yr old sister. At her birthday party she was playing by herself in the bedroom with her toys than playing with the kids. She just wasn't interested in opening her gifts.  I am going back to the special ed office and see what else they will do for her.  I am wondering am I thinking in the right direction that she may have Pervasive Developmental Disorder.  She seems to be smart but just can't communicate with others.

[blee2004]

A related discussion, my child is out of control was started.

[blee2004]

A related discussion, my son was started.