Questioning Diagnosis

[nyxpooka]

My 2 1/2 year old son was diagnosed with autism.  He is definately speech delayed, that is true.  He makes eye contact, is very loving and affectionate (he loves to pat me on the forehead and also pat his own forehead, playing with his hair or mine...many times a day), Dalton knows people who are familiar to him, and can recognize me in a mall or himself in photos.  

Dalton does not mind any changes in his schedule, but likes to line things up.  His head is quite large but not out of proportion with the rest of his body, and he does have an oddly shaped forehead (its mild...you have to look for it to see it).  His head size was was the primary comment on his initial diagnosis by the neurologist (all other diagnostic tests were taken after his 15 minute evaluation).  The only other comment about my son was that he was throwing a bit of a fit while trying to get me to leave during the evaluation (Dalton is very aware of doctor's office situations, and very un-cool about being anywhere he might get a shot).

Dalton does answer to his name, if I am pretty loud, especially if I raise my voice in an attempt to avert danger, but not in a conversational tone.  It is difficult to teach him, and it is often difficult to get him to focus on a task long enough to learn it.  He will sit with me, but does not relax enough for me to read him a book.  His interest in cars supercedes almost all other activities in almost all situations.

My son does like new people, but not always instantly.  He usually shows interest in what other kids are doing and will follow them around, sometimes attempting to play along with them...but that is generally if he is in a familiar and comfortable location.   Dalton usually runs to the door to see who has arrived at the house.. Yet, my son seems a bit distracted often, but is not staring off into space, he is usually absorbed in a toy which takes precedence over people in most occasions.  He will usually smile at new people, but doesnt always try to get them to play with him. He doesnt mind if most people touch him, but is not very keen on having strangers come up and get right in his face or try to touch him.  If he has had a few minutes to get to know them, he is usually ok with it.

My main problem is that during the last testing session with several medical practitioners and therapists in the same day, I felt that my son was expected to interact with these new people instantly. In addition to that, some of the toys they were using to get his attention were more "boring" than other items in the room (the choice was either blocks or cars, so of course Dalton chose cars),  Because of that, Dalton was accused of being "unable to perform" the tasks asked of him in that particular test.  

Part of me does believe that my son has some kind of special needs, yes, because he doesnt talk much and is so difficult to teach (because of inattention), But part of me is still not seeing enough to say my son is autistic.  I guess I am looking for an unbiased ear to tell me if there is some reason I should not doubt.


This discussion is related to just speech delay or autistic tendencies?.

[Sandman2]

I definitely agree with all that Specialmom says.
   I would like to point out that you asked for an "unbiased ear".  That is what you got from the doctors.  They did not know you or your son.  They treated him like every other patient.  Gave him the same tests they run on every other kid and drew their conclusions based on how all of those children reacted.  They may well be wrong, but I doubt that their opinion is biased.
  The other thought is that if it is autism, the sooner treatment begins (and it is all therapy, not drugs), the sooner and better his chances of recovery are.
   Other thoughts.  Kind of surprised with the head size statements.  That has nothing to do with autism.  Does make me wonder what they were thinking about.
   It may well be that he is still too young to know for sure what is going on, but given the symptoms I don't think I would take the risk.  It never hurts to get another opinion as Specialmom suggests.  But I would definitely start some kind of therapy.  It won't hurt and can only help him.  Good Luck

[specialmom]

It is okay to question a diagnosis.  I honestly believe that.  Especially in a child so young.  Many things can be going on and all are not autism spectrum related but give the surface appearance to be.  

How does your child play with his toys.  Does he actually play with them---  like make a car go on a road and make car sounds?  Does he hug a teddy bear?  Does he do any pretend play at all----  feed the teddy bear, give it a bottle?  does he drive trains on the track like they are real?   Those would all be good signs to look for.  

My son has a developmental delay called sensory integration disorder.  Some kids with autism have this along with their autism but my son  has it as a disorder on its own.  It affects a lot of things.  Trouble focasing, wandering in a preschool classroom, social problems, motor planning issues affecting motor abilility (including speech), seeking out sensation like spinning, climbing, running into things, ect.  So, I would have your child evaluated by an occupational therapist before anything else.  Here is why-----  occupational therapy addresses the nervous system specifically------  and it can have an amazing affect.  My son functions so well now and copes with his delay wonderfully.  He does ot once a week and we do lots of activities for this.  It is amazing how far he has come.  And if your child IS autistic, he will likely have some sensory things along with it.  You will be able to handle those early on and help him get to a well rounded functioning point.  

Do you live in the US?  Besides a private occupational therapy evaluation, I would get involved in a birth to 3 month program that is provided free by law.  They can evaluate too and come up with a plan that your child needs to thrive.  Speech therapy, ot, physical therapy, play therapy----- etc.  would be addressed.  And then at 3, if he qualifies, he can go to the early intervention preschool provided by your local public school system in which he would receive services.  

I've thrown a lot at you.  I am sure you are scared and upset.  I remember when I was realizing something was truly wrong with my beloved boy.  It felt like a death in terms of how sad I was.  I was so anxious for his future and what it all meant.  But eventually I realized that my boy is a great kid no matter what-----  and I just needed to help him be all he could be and be HAPPY!  Today he is almost 6 and doing very well.  Hang in there.  After you get a plan together to help your boy, you will feel better.  Make a list of what YOU think needs to happen and tackle it.  Get the support of your husband too, that really helps.  Good luck and message me anytime for support!