Aa
My 28 month old son
My little boy had developmental delay. He started to walk and speak at about 20 month old. We've been taking him to a psychometric for 4 month now and recently started with a speech therapist, he's doing very well but he repeats every what i tell him if i ask how are you? he repeats the question instead of answering. He answers yes/no questions and some questions like what's this? where are you going?how many? He's very interesting in objects, he spends his day saying what's this? what's this? a dog, a horse etc...He's less interesting in people around him. He loves his relatives, plays with his cousin (same age) but doesn't imitate us: doesn't respond to the phone ring, doesn't run to open the door, doesn't dress and undress himself... He knows all the alphabets, 7 colors,all his body parts, animals and vehicles and their sounds. He can sometimes choose between two choices and sometimes repeats the question.
Any advice?
Any advice?
It's encouraging that he eats well and changes in routine don't upset him. It is also wonderful that he already receives both speech and physical therapy, as those are often the services children with developmental delays receive at this age (along with occupational therapy in many cases). Is the speech for expressive and receptive delay? Like Diva said, apraxia is a consideration. It sounds like you have been proactive in getting your child the help he needs for his delays, and by giving him these therapies already, you have probably changed the course of his development for the better. . At this point, watch for progress, and I would be concerned if the progress slows or stops completely. He is still young, but you may want to consult a doctor who can put all of these pieces together for you or tell you that there is no connection and that they are isolated delays.
I want to thank you all for your replies, positive and negative opinions will help.
Like I mentioned before he can answer questions like where do you want to go? where were we yesterday? what's your name? what do you want to eat? drink? and he can answer when asked juice or milk? banana or apple?and other options. Yesterday i asked him what did your aunt put on your head? he didn't answer i asked what? he said what? I told him "tell daddy" he repeated "tell daddy" I think he can't answer the new questions that he doesn't know their answers but I've been told that most kids do that. As for routine, we don't follow daily routine and this doesn't bother him. He's a good eater,likes to be tickled, hugged and kissed. He gets physical therapy as well because he still falls down when running and his movement is slower than kids in his age.
Like I mentioned before he can answer questions like where do you want to go? where were we yesterday? what's your name? what do you want to eat? drink? and he can answer when asked juice or milk? banana or apple?and other options. Yesterday i asked him what did your aunt put on your head? he didn't answer i asked what? he said what? I told him "tell daddy" he repeated "tell daddy" I think he can't answer the new questions that he doesn't know their answers but I've been told that most kids do that. As for routine, we don't follow daily routine and this doesn't bother him. He's a good eater,likes to be tickled, hugged and kissed. He gets physical therapy as well because he still falls down when running and his movement is slower than kids in his age.
I am also a bit puzzled and It would be good if Med help clarified if we are entitled to give our opinions here with out being called out...you made the comments about my belief this child was behaving normally as far as I know we are not experts on this forum and all are entitled to our own opinion.. ...perhaps Claire you would enlarge on where Med Helps position is regarding this ...What are the rule here ?
Just to clarify, everyone here agrees that mimo should have her son checked out. And everyone agrees that her son's behaviors could mean something or nothing.
That's not to say that everyone here has to agree -- we welcome all opinions, conflicting or not, as long as they're expressed in a respectful way, and don't turn the discussion away from the original topic.
Mimo, I hope you'll keep us updated.
That's not to say that everyone here has to agree -- we welcome all opinions, conflicting or not, as long as they're expressed in a respectful way, and don't turn the discussion away from the original topic.
Mimo, I hope you'll keep us updated.
Firstly, SLP (Speech therapists) are allowed to say if they are worried about autism. The laws may be different in different states, but I know in IL and MN it is perfectly legal.
It's great to give out advice and our two cents, but in the end ONLY a behavioral pediatrician can give a diagnosis. So many times autism is over diagnosed. This was especially the case about 20 years ago when I was a kid. Now there are so many other things that could be wrong. I would also ask your SLP and behavioral pediatrician about verbal apraxia. This is where the child has problems with the motor movements of speech. The child knows what they want to say, but has a hard time actually saying it. And yes, often the child repeats words or phrases similarly to how an autistic child would. My DD has verbal apraxia. I've spoken to many other parents who have children with apraxia and the behavioral pediatrician gave the dx because the SLP and OT wrote letters explaining that they thought it was apraxia and not autism.
The boy could be acting normally, but if he isn't it would be devastating to ignore it. Only a professional can really say that it is normal. Repetition can be a red flag. If he does have a delay and it is ignored bad things could happen. He could drop out of high school and mess up his life. I've seen it happen.
It's great to give out advice and our two cents, but in the end ONLY a behavioral pediatrician can give a diagnosis. So many times autism is over diagnosed. This was especially the case about 20 years ago when I was a kid. Now there are so many other things that could be wrong. I would also ask your SLP and behavioral pediatrician about verbal apraxia. This is where the child has problems with the motor movements of speech. The child knows what they want to say, but has a hard time actually saying it. And yes, often the child repeats words or phrases similarly to how an autistic child would. My DD has verbal apraxia. I've spoken to many other parents who have children with apraxia and the behavioral pediatrician gave the dx because the SLP and OT wrote letters explaining that they thought it was apraxia and not autism.
The boy could be acting normally, but if he isn't it would be devastating to ignore it. Only a professional can really say that it is normal. Repetition can be a red flag. If he does have a delay and it is ignored bad things could happen. He could drop out of high school and mess up his life. I've seen it happen.
precisely. But dismissing her concerns that brought her here initially may influence her to give it more time that could be otherwise used constructively if there is a problem.
As I said previously mimo31 and I stand by my opinion , I suggest you go with your gut and do not be lead into thinking that your child has autism or any other disorder.at least until you have a diagnosis .good luck
speech therapists actually are not allowed to say if they are concerned about autism. I work closely with several. They will say if there is a delay. They will say what age level the child's ability is. They will specify conditions such as disfluency, echolaila, etc.
The speech therapist would certainly have made a mention if she thought your son needed evaluation for autism and as you said he doesn't have any odd behavior,there is too much of this going on when a child does anything out of the ordinary.As I said I have known many children to behave and repeat as you have told us here they did not have autism..You sound as if you are sticking to the positive and not focusing on the negative Good luck
what is the diagnosed developmental delay? I know he gets speech therapy, but what is the diagnosis? Does he get physical therapy?
Autism is a spectrum disease. Some cases are very mild and you cannot recognize that child in a typical classroom (although they need therapies to get to that point). Of course, he may not be on the spectrum and just have many quirks and delays coincidentally, but often as you look at the big picture, all of these little elements point to something underlying.
For example, many children walk on their toes. It can be a normal part of development. But, a large percentage of autistic children walk on their toes. If I saw a child with only that characteristic, I wouldn't be concerned, but if it were there with other characteristics, I would look closer. Many children have sensory issues. Same thing- in isolation it's not a big deal, but with other factors or if it's bad enough to cause stress, then you have to take a closer look. Many children are picky and that is normal. Children on the spectrum are picky in a entirely different way and to a different degree and their preferences are often linked to the textures of food. Some children repeat things and it is normal. A typically developing child will take the language learned in those interactions and be able to apply the rules and words she learned in that interaction to other situations independently.
Normal: Mom has milk and juice and says what do you want to drink? Child either answers "milk" "want drink" or something similar.
Not as typical: M says "what do you want to drink?" child: "what do you want to drink?" Mom says "Do you want milk or juice?" Child will say "milk or juice." The child may eventually learn from the experience and the next time he sees the beverages he will say "what do you want to drink? Do you want milk or juice?" (predicting the speech for that scenario based on what he has memorized)
Another difference is that the typical child will be able to apply the language, interaction and concept to a slightly different scenario. For example, if he is given a choice of apple or orange the next day, the child will have learned that being asked "what do you want?" warrants an answer of one the choices. A child on the spectrum will repeat the learning process for each new interaction. Sometime he may just repeat what the parent asks, or he may even jump to say "What do you want to eat? Do you want an apple or orange?" as soon as he sees mom approaching.
I type all of this to illustrate the difference between typical repetition and non-typical for those who may have never seen or experienced it. They learn to answer questions by memorizing the answers. This is different than processing language and applying it. These same children will also often memorize passages from books or portions of movies, repeating them throughout the day. Again, it can be normal for a child to memorize something and incorporate it into play. The different with these children is that they rote memorize and repeat things, not processing, applying or interacting with it.
Like I said, your son may be OK, but he certainly has many "red flag" characteristics. How is he with getting messy? Eating? Any sensory issues? How does he handle changes in routine?
I hope your son is fine, and honestly even if there is something underlying, it sounds like it would be mild and proper early therapy would probably make a tremendous difference. On the spectrum does not mean something tragic in many cases. I have worked with absolutely amazing children on the spectrum, and had the pleasure of watching them learn how to talk with people and even make friends. They were even affectionate and will certainly go on to contribute something wonderful to the world.
Follow your guts and get an evaluation. It can't hurt him, but the potential for positive impacts is tremendous.
Autism is a spectrum disease. Some cases are very mild and you cannot recognize that child in a typical classroom (although they need therapies to get to that point). Of course, he may not be on the spectrum and just have many quirks and delays coincidentally, but often as you look at the big picture, all of these little elements point to something underlying.
For example, many children walk on their toes. It can be a normal part of development. But, a large percentage of autistic children walk on their toes. If I saw a child with only that characteristic, I wouldn't be concerned, but if it were there with other characteristics, I would look closer. Many children have sensory issues. Same thing- in isolation it's not a big deal, but with other factors or if it's bad enough to cause stress, then you have to take a closer look. Many children are picky and that is normal. Children on the spectrum are picky in a entirely different way and to a different degree and their preferences are often linked to the textures of food. Some children repeat things and it is normal. A typically developing child will take the language learned in those interactions and be able to apply the rules and words she learned in that interaction to other situations independently.
Normal: Mom has milk and juice and says what do you want to drink? Child either answers "milk" "want drink" or something similar.
Not as typical: M says "what do you want to drink?" child: "what do you want to drink?" Mom says "Do you want milk or juice?" Child will say "milk or juice." The child may eventually learn from the experience and the next time he sees the beverages he will say "what do you want to drink? Do you want milk or juice?" (predicting the speech for that scenario based on what he has memorized)
Another difference is that the typical child will be able to apply the language, interaction and concept to a slightly different scenario. For example, if he is given a choice of apple or orange the next day, the child will have learned that being asked "what do you want?" warrants an answer of one the choices. A child on the spectrum will repeat the learning process for each new interaction. Sometime he may just repeat what the parent asks, or he may even jump to say "What do you want to eat? Do you want an apple or orange?" as soon as he sees mom approaching.
I type all of this to illustrate the difference between typical repetition and non-typical for those who may have never seen or experienced it. They learn to answer questions by memorizing the answers. This is different than processing language and applying it. These same children will also often memorize passages from books or portions of movies, repeating them throughout the day. Again, it can be normal for a child to memorize something and incorporate it into play. The different with these children is that they rote memorize and repeat things, not processing, applying or interacting with it.
Like I said, your son may be OK, but he certainly has many "red flag" characteristics. How is he with getting messy? Eating? Any sensory issues? How does he handle changes in routine?
I hope your son is fine, and honestly even if there is something underlying, it sounds like it would be mild and proper early therapy would probably make a tremendous difference. On the spectrum does not mean something tragic in many cases. I have worked with absolutely amazing children on the spectrum, and had the pleasure of watching them learn how to talk with people and even make friends. They were even affectionate and will certainly go on to contribute something wonderful to the world.
Follow your guts and get an evaluation. It can't hurt him, but the potential for positive impacts is tremendous.
Thank you for your replies. I want to add that when I teach him the answers for the questions he starts to answer instead of repeating, he always respond to his name, doesn't have odd behavior. The speech therapist said he's later than his age about 15 months but doesn't mention any thing about autism.
I stand by what I said mimo from what you put up on your post I see an normal child I do not see any disorder that's my opinion ..I would encourage you to have him checked out for your own peace of mind ..The children I have known who repeat all the time do not have autism ..
honestly, he shows many of the classic signs of being on the autistic spectrum. I understand what you mean by repeating as I have seen it myself in children on the spectrum, and suspect that margy has not, which is why she may not recognize what you are trying to describe. It is very different from the typical questioning and repeating that toddlers do. If you are interested in reading more about it, i suggest you search online for "echolaila." Some repetition is normal, however, when he is primarily repeating back the questions you ask instead of giving any spontaneous response, then it is concerning.
It is good that he is willing to play with his cousin and that he is receiving speech therapy. Have you asked the therapist for his or her thoughts? They may know or have suspicions of a problem, but may not be allowed to bring it up.
Here in the US, you would either consult your pediatrician, a developmental pediatrician, or a pediatric neurologist. I strongly urge you to do so as soon as possible, as the earlier your son receives the necessary therapies, the better the prognosis is.
It is good that he is willing to play with his cousin and that he is receiving speech therapy. Have you asked the therapist for his or her thoughts? They may know or have suspicions of a problem, but may not be allowed to bring it up.
Here in the US, you would either consult your pediatrician, a developmental pediatrician, or a pediatric neurologist. I strongly urge you to do so as soon as possible, as the earlier your son receives the necessary therapies, the better the prognosis is.
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