worried about son

my son is turning 2 on july 7.He only says mama and dada,although i have tried everything to get him to talk.He has been in speech therapy for months and it does not seem to help.Also he bites and pinches all the time.Latly he has started waking up at night and will cry for no reason for hours.Half of the time he can follow directions and acts like he knows what i am saying at other times he seems in his own world and does not hear a thing i say.he is phisically fine but is not at all social.He does not like anyone touching him but me and hates changes.Any ideas what could be going on?

[RockRose]

I'm really surprised your speech therapist hasn't suggested screening him for autism.  Is she just afraid to say something,  do you think?    It kind of seems like that's a speech therapist's job - she's the first person you are reaching out for developmental help,  and she's keeping her mouth shut on a condition that really can be helped in very early intervention.

I wish you well -

[3babiesmom]

nobody is saying anything to me.she is just hopeful that the speech therapy will work.

[RockRose]

It sounds like he needs to be evaluated by an OT (Occupational Therapist).  This early on there are therapies that can help,  if he does have autism.

The lack of social interaction and not wanting to be touched,  and waking up and crying for hours sound like he should be screened.  

Best wishes.  It's so hard to be worried.

[3babiesmom]

also he flaps his arms when excited or angry/frusterated

[RockRose]

Has your speech therapist suggested the possibility of autism?

[anxiousmomtobe?]

I agree with RR, your child should be screened for autism.  Early intervention is key to helping kids with autism live a rich, full life.

[Cleveland Mom]

Often times, speech/language therapists will not bring up autism.  They are quite familiar with the various signs of this disorder but are unable to diagnose a child with autism.  

In very young children, it can be very difficult to determine if a child has autism, especially if the behavioural issues are mild to moderate.  At the same time, if a young child is displaying more severe problems in terms of social interaction, repetitive behaviors, odd behaviors then it can be more easily determined that a very young child indeed has autism.

You may want to contact your local public school district regarding early intervention services.  Your son can been screened and if he qualifies he can recieve therapy services thru the school district.  When he is 3 years old, public school districts offer early intervention preschool, again if he qualifies he can attend this until he attends kindergarten.  The school district at this stage, prior to him attending kindegarten will try to officially diagnose a child with any label.  The will focus only on treating any issues he may be having i.e. speech/language problems etc.  You may also ask your pediatrician for a referral to see a developmental pediatrician.  A developmental pediatrician has expertise in issues such as autism and other developmental concerns.  I wish you and your family the best!

[Cleveland Mom]

I want to emphasize that the school district will NOT try to diagnose a child prior to kindegarten.  I made a type-o in my previous response.

[anxietysucks]

I WOULD HAVE THE DR. DO AN EEG, THIS WILL DETERMINE IF HE HAS NORMAL BRAIN FUNCTION? IF IT IS NORMAL THEN I WOULDN'T WORRY TO MUCH. EVERY CHILD DEVELOPES AT THEIR OWN PACE.