anyone with an autistic child?

Does anyone know how young a child can develop or show signs of autism? My son is only 5 1/2 months old. He smiles and recognizes mommy and jibber jabbers. He does this one thing with his arm where that is the only arm he moves the most and he flaps up and down kinka like he's slappling his side. I just purchased Jenny McCarthy's book about her son and his autism and she said his biggest warning sign was flapping his arms like a bird. He was  2 1/2 when he was diagnosed. This whole thing scares me so much and I'm probably just being paranoid. Does anyone know about the age where they start to show signs? Do babies show signs of it if they have it?

[newbie2b]

Hi.  I did read an article about her book and did read about the flapping.  I also have a 5 month old.  Honestly, I cant imagine being able to tell at this point. Right now they are discovering so much and are squirming in every which way.  I too worry.  I feel like it may be easier to tell when she (my daughter) is one because you can see how they play and interact with other people/kids.  I am no professional by any means.  But I do share your concerns.  I would talk to your dr if you think the baby's behavior isnt normal.  But my 5 month old flaps and flails her arms everywhere.

[tomel]

As long as their reaching ALL their milestones...I wouldnt worry.

[tomel]

Yes 5 months is a little early..unless there are real obvious things like NEVER staring at faces and only looking at lights, fans etc.
Most parents dont know till the child is 18 months...some sooner

[mum2beagain]

I think it is pretty normal for infants to be behaving this way, my 9 months old does alsorts of silly looking stuff; he's just exploring the world.
I am waiting for an autism evaluation for my son who is 3 1/2, the arm flapping self stim behavior is one of the things he does, he has had many medical and developmental issues in his short life and regularly sees doctors and therapists and autism has never been mentioned to me until now, mainly because it is really hard to diagnose until children are a little older. I don't think any doctor would be able to evealuate an infant.

[Hmmmm846]

Hi,
   I am an autism specialist.  I work with autistic children and their families.  It is difficult to recognize signs of autism at such a young age, because the most prevalent signs  are social, and deficits in abilities that your son has not yet aquired.  Things to watch out for.....ridgidness with schedule and feeding.  Does he have to be rocked the same way each night?  Put to bed by the same person, use the same blanket?  Do you have to prepare his bottle a specific way?  Does your child get upset if his routine is slightly altered?  

    I wouldn't worry too much about flapping his arms.  He may be discovering his body and what it can do.  Right now he may have more control over his arms than other parts of his body.  

    If you're really concerned, consult your Doctor.  They will monitor your concerns over the first two years.  You're not crazy for worrying, remember early intervention is the key.  

[Happy2girls]

I have an autistic nephew.  He has Aspergers Syndrome and thankfully he is high functioning.  We did NOT notice anything unusual about his behavior until close to his second birthday.  He wasn't officially diagnosed with Aspergers until he was about 5 or 6 years old.  

[tomel]

Hmmmmm846
Im sorry but I' m gona have to disagree with you on those things...ALL children like and crave routine...alot of kids get upset if theire routine is out of whack including typical kids. Thats why so many kids get upset when they are in daycare and go thru separation anxiety at times in their development.
That just wouldnt be something I would look for nor would I worry if your kid has to have their bottle a certain way or liked being rocked a certain way.
Some things that would be more ovbious would be sensory overload type things....do they get upset when your in the store with them because of the lights (everytime) or the exact opposite do they sleep like an newborn even though they might be 6 months old.  THe eye contact thing again...Are they meeting their physical dev. milestones as well as social...alot of Autistic/PDD/Dev. delayed kids are low tone...they might not crawl or walk on time (even though there is a range for this) my son for example crawled backwards when he started crawling....he also had a really hard time with tummy time...another tbig thing to look for ALL kids should be pointing and using gestures by 12 months old...if this isns being done can be a big sign there is a problem.

[emily&micah]

Thank you all for your comments. They are very helpful!

[NicNic76]

I have a child with Asperger Syndrome ( a form of High Funcioning Autism) I do agree with tomel...
All children will have things they like done a certain way. My 3 year old has always enjoyed his milk a certain way... to be held a certain way and changes in certain routines really upset him... and he is NOT Autistic.. spoiled yes.. Autistic No.. My 6 year old on the other hand... the one is AS... WOW.
Most Doctors these days will not even begin testing until the age of 2-3 depending on the Doctor and the part of the country you are in...
Oh and I just read Happy2Girls post.. that is about the age they actually diagnosed my son as well..

At any rate... I would not worry...

[selena k]

I also disagree with Hmmmmmm846.  I have a granddaughter who is 3 years old and is Autistic. Even though I am not a "Autism Specialist", I have been to many doctor appointments with her and studied autism quite extensively in order to help her the best way possible.  Some of the things you voice as concerns have never been mentioned as being "autistism symptoms". They may be, but his actions may also be very normal. The many Specialists we have been to all agree that it is hard, if not impossible, to diagnose Autism before the age of 2.  Once the disorder is diagnosed however, it is extremely important to get treatment and therapy.
It sounds like you have a prefectly NORMAL 5 1/2 old baby. I would NOT worry about anything associated with autism at this point in his life.  If, when he gets closer to 2 years old you see behavior that doesn't seem normal, then check with your doctor. Sometimes fear makes us see things in a different way than they really are. Every baby is different and develops differently. Don't compare him to other children, but be aware of his growth and development. He sounds very normal!!!!  

[ashort]

Okay I'm a teacher that works with children that have Autism.  I wouldn't worry b/c it seems like he is social and makes eye contact with you and iteracts with you.  Most children get diagnosed around 18 months to 2 1/2 years. Usually parents recognize something is wrong when their child isn't pointing and isn't communicating his/her wants or needs.  Some children with Autism do flap but not all children with Autism.  Does he have any delays in any other areas?  At 12 months if you are concerned you can have him evaluated by the department of health (at least in NY it's the department of health that does evals.)  It is free and if he needs any services they are also free (in NY).  I wouldn't have him eval. until at least 12 months unless you are really concerned b/c he will be requred to do more at 12 months then at 6 months (for test puposes to qualify for services).  However, I would have him evaluated by an OT and PT if you have other concerns fine or gross motor.  Most psychologists don't like to diagnose Autism too early.  The earliest I've seen is 14 motnhs and that is really rare.  Good luck to you and try not to worry!

[AshleysMom]

Someone told me an interesting theory on why autism is so prevalent.  Basically that doctors now know how to diagnose it and give it a name.  In the past, everything was generalized as "retarded."  I'm not sure I agree with this, and I hate the word "retarded" but thought I'd share.

[selena k]

I totally disagree with the term "retarded".  My granddaughter (and many other autistic children I have met), is extremely smart and has the ability to learn.  She has issues with expressing herself and communicating.  She often gets frustrated because she can not express how she feels.  I don't think autism and retardation are anywhere close to being the same.

[fungirl1011]

I don't think I would be too worried about your child just yet.  Like others have said, He could just be exploring his new world.   I too have an autistic daughter.  She is nine years old and was just diagnosed 2 years ago ( to be honest, I have known since she was 3 that she was autistic).  Unfortunately, my daughter is not high functioning.  She is just now starting to walk and does not talk.  The things about my daughter that were different thant other children at the age of 5 months was that she did not want to "play" with toys and she did not make/keep eye contact.  She was very delayed developmentally (as I am sure you can tell my her not walking or talking), and still slept like a newborn baby.  She definately did a lot of "flapping" of her hands when she was younger.  Now her big thing is shaking bottles ( water bottles, soda bottles, etc.).  Here is a little humor for you all....Earlier this year at my oldest son's football game, I was walking Beka across the bleachers trying to find a place to sit, and she reached out and took some mans water bottle!!!  I was so embarrased, but he just laughed and said it was okay.  I am not going to lie, it is really hard having a special needs child (well, mine anyway) because when she is upset, she can't tell me what is wrong.  It the other end of the spectrum, she is the best girl.  She is usually always happy, and is now starting to become more loving.  She was just put on Paxil a few weeks ago, and it has been amazing.  Is anyone else's autistic child on Paxil or Zoloft?  The doctor said that this is used on Autistic children to help take away some of their anxeity.  It has done wonders.  If anyone else with a special needs child would like to talk, I would love to share stories and ideas with you.  Take care everyone.  Kasie

[ashort]

Okay hmmmmm...well autism is being diagnosed more and that is one theory why some people feel it is more prevalent...it may be or it may be that it wasn't diagnosed as freaquently in the past.  As far as MR goes...it's not such a nice word...not really politically correct.  As far as IQ tests go it is a term that is used for individuals...not just people with Autism.. who have an IQ less then 60 ( I believe).  It isn't a term I would use but no matter who you are if you have an IQ less then 60 you are considered MR.  Some people with Autism fall in this range and some don't.  I have children on the Spectrum in my class who are definately not MR and I've worked with kids with Autism who are MR....still not a nice word..

[AshleysMom]

Please don't think I was implying anything.   I hate the word "retarded" too and understand that kids with autism are not.  I was just passing along one person's perspective.

[ashort]

Yeah...I didn't think anything by it I just wanted to say my perspective on the MR thing.  It's just a label that is used to refer to IQ.  You were right some children with Autism are considered MR...and some aren't.

[selena k]

I didn't think you were implying anything. I didn't take it that way at all.  I hate the word "retarded" and it is often misused.  I think in the past, anyone who acted different or had "issues" were classified as being retarded. My granddaughter doesn't take any drugs, but she is on a Gluten/Wheat free/dairy free diet which has made an incredible difference.

[tomel]

Autism is not being diagnosed more than it was years ago. It wasnt misdiagnosed or missed yrs ago. Autism is on the rise plain and simple!

[selena k]

I don't know if Autism is on the "rise", but I do think we are becoming more aware of it.  I hope it doesn't become the new "catch all diagnosis" that is used for everything the Dr. doesn't have an answer for.

[AndiJ78]

I agree with Selena. It is our kids generation ADD/ADHD and bi-polar. It exists, but I believe is over-diagnosed by well-meaning folks who do not possess the right set of tools to make such a dx.

[mum2beagain]

I am waiting for an autism evaluation for my son, I'm sure we will be told he has some type of high functioning autism. One of his therapists (who has been more help to us in the last 2 months we have had her than any he has ever had) has a theory (of her own) that Autism is a kind of major, major anxiety; I can see exactly where she is coming from on that one.