i need some answers about autism..

[pinkbelle]

aubrees ped.. thinks that she is exhibiting signs of autism... i was like "What!" shes 11 months old how in the world could they tell that... they did a test with aubree where they had a lot of toys on the floor and they watched her. she would go play with one then 2 seconds later go to another and so on... and they say thats a sign of autism ( ugh.. arent babies suppose to have a short attention expand? ) she also said aubree avoids eye contact and acts like shes the only one around ( unaware of people) ...  aubree also hasnt been talking as much as she had been before..  but she loves to be held and she laughs and plays.. i think that maybe the doc is over analyzing a little.. how can they even determine shes autistic at such an early age?

she has hit all of her milestones a little early and i thought austic infants had a delay in hitting their milestones... i think im going to take aubree to the other ped in the practice and see what he says.. cause honestly i dont agree with the first peds opinion.

[kellym]

Gosh, that's weird. If it were someone that were with Aubree on a daily basis and thought things were "a little off", that would be one thing. A ped that see's her once every couple of months, I mean, what stands out? Weird. I would for sure get a second opinion. Sorry, you must feel awful :0(

[pinkbelle]

thanks i do.. and that is exactly what i said.. i asked her why she even did this test with aubree.. cus ive never said  anything about aubree acting weird or being a little off... and she said that the whole practice was participating in a study for autism and that she was doing this test with all of her patients.. i was like well i never said she could do it.. she told me she was gonna play with aubree to see how many of her milestones she was hitting..  so i was pee'd when she told me that.. because with any medical procedure they need my approval and i feel like i was "tricked" or not told the whole story.. my best friend takes her little girl there as well.. and she said her ped did it as well and everything came out ok.. but her little girl is 8 months old and still cant sit unsupported .. aubree was sitting unsupported at 5 months old.. she crawled at 6 1/2 -7 mths and took her first steps at 10 mths.  i honestly do not even know why her ped would even tell me something like this..  i came crying because i was so upset about all of this.. and then i did some research and in my opinion aubree does not even exhibit any signs of autism..  soon as the doctors office opens im calling in and talking to the other ped.

[kellym]

Well, they aren't even supposed to be diagnosed until after 2 I thought. PLUS, my practice does this too. BUT, at 18 months. It's pretty much just a questioniere that they type into the computer and look for red flags. 11 months is early.  I think my kids are perfectly normal, but don't we all? ha ha. I do ask my sister all the time, you think he's normal right? and we go back and forth. I did have a girlfriend who's son was OFF for sure. He still at 16 months preferred to crawl and was focused on the "same" toys.  Shoot, Blake turned 11 months yesterday. What else did they look for, ha ha?? Of course all the new toys she wanted to inspect them all. Did they do anything else that stood out to them, I just can't see the toy test being the only factor. ugh, so sorry they are doing this to you.
On another note, do YOU think Aubree avoids eye contact? Is this something you have noticed? Also, how much has her language decreased? Did you tell the ped this? Sometimes they say that's a flag and if you told her she might have factored it in.

[cantwait4baby]

wow, that is a lot to have to think about at such an early age.  My daughter is almost 2 but I dont believe at 11 months she was playing with many toys.  I think she had her favorite few - she was walking so she wanted no parts of being held or eye contact, I think it is way to early to tell.  These doctors like to scare the you know what out of us.  I am so afraid of autism esp since I am having a boy in June and the risks are higher for boys.  I am requesting that all his vaccinations are seperated.  For example, MMR - I want him vaccinated but not all three in the one shot.  I will go back week after week for just one part of it.  I do believe they are related but still choose to vaccinate.

[peekawho]

I think with the study that your peds practice is doing, they are fishing around and anxious to "find" autism super early.  I wonder if all these early *finds* are why they say the autism rates are so high.    I wonder if all these kids are really autistic.  

I agree with kellym--are YOU concerned?  Were you worried prior to this?  

[pinkbelle]

no i was never concerned at all... and i think 11 months is way to early to even determine things like this.. aubree can act one way today and then tomorrow another way.. it just depends if her teeth are hurting her she kind of just plays with her toys a little and doesnt show much interest.. which i told her ped that her top two teeth are coming down so shes been acting a little out of the norm because of that.. aubree does throw little tantrums but i think thats because she gets frustrated when she wants to do something and she can't ..  

[mami1323]

I think they are a little premature with doing this type of study.  I agree with peek, I think they are looking for something just so that they have an interesting study.  I really don't think it's something to worry about right now.  You will know if something is "off" with Aubree, since she is your child.  Try not to let it get in your head too much.  

[tiredbuthappy]

Hmmm... I'm a little torn about this.

From what you describe, she sounds OK. However, I have learned from experience that parents often do not see warning signs in their own children. I am NOT saying this is your case, but I have seen some very educated, rational people who are blind to obvious problems in their children.

That being said, it does seem very premature and irresponsible to be making assertions like this. It's one thing to say that Aubree is behind in ____ (such as making eye contact); it's a completely other thing to say she is exhibiting early signs of autism. I am very happy to hear that you plan on following up promptly with another pediatrician in the practice.

If I were you, I would not panic but I would follow up with another pediatrician. So many parents of children with autism say that their child was ahead of milestones and perfectly normal until 18 or 24 months. I think the purpose of this study may be to look for very early markers, since early intervention can make a remarkable difference. Since he saw signs (lack of awareness of people, the fact that she is not speaking as much), definitely follow up. Honestly, it's possible she was just having an "off" or quiet day.

[pcarsey]

I would like to add, if you plan on taking her to another pedi, I would do it at another clinic completely. If you go to the same clinic and they are doing this "test" they might look for certain things in particular.  Then once the other pedi says she's okay, then I would tell them what the first pedi told you.

[kellym]

I know it's your first gut instinct to run to get another opinion because we are scared about what the pediatrician is diagnosing. On the other hand. I might would want to investigate the initial diagnosis and want to know ALL the facts and details on WHY they are leaning towards this assumption.
I am not gearing this towards you (just to let you know).... My girlfriend worked with severe PMD kids, and I saw immediately her little boy had problems. Of all people, shouldn't she have recognized these problems?  She was in such denial.. Her parents, husband and herself NEVER addressed anything about it. When he was diagnosed with the speech problems, sensory disorders and being very far behind she was devastated. This was her second child too.  I asked her, ang, didn't you see these things??

[pinkbelle]

I talked to Dr. Soveign.. ( hes the other ped in the practice) and he said Dr. Mony ( Aubree's ped ) should have never told me that.. he said its very premature to make that assumption..  he said he would talk with Dr. Mony and find out why she came to that conclusion and then he would get back to me.. he told me that i should not worry at all.. he said signs of autism in early infancy are very hard to pin point and some babies just have certain mannerisms that mimic signs of autism.. he said this why they normally don't do any kind of test for autism until around 18 months old.. he said this was just an early intervention study so that they could pick a couple patients to participate in some more studies..   and apparently even if the child did exhibit signs the doctors were suppose to talk to each other before even saying anything to the parent ( which Dr. Mony did not do.)  He apologized and told me he would find out more and let me know.

[kellym]

oh good, I'm so glad. You know, it's one of those things..My ped. called and said my son was testing + for CF. I FREAKED out. She didn't know what the F she was talking about.  I swear that's annoying. I stayed within the same practice, but did change ped's. You may want to do the same.

[pcarsey]

Well I'm glad someone told you not to worry! Hopefully the "talk" will result in Dr. Mony not scaring anyone else like that!

[vsentz]

What a moron! that doctor should not be doing or running tests just like that specially when they trick parents into it.... that's just wrong!
I don't think there's anything wrong with Aubree! what you said discribes all infants! they have very short attention spans... they hiss, they laugh, they play with one toy... and then on to the next! nothing wrong with that.
Aubree is also a very smart little baby. She has achieved her milestones very early, that right there shows you there is nothing wrong with her!, in fact I know you are PROUD of her, and her development! and you wouldn't have it any other way! =)

Aubree is a bright baby. She is completely normal, and yes, I think you're doing the best thing by getting a second opinion.

Hun, I'm sorry you were 'tricked' like that. They really should not have done this! I would call and b%tch! lol ;)

Hugs to Gerber Baby! =))

[tiredbuthappy]

Good!!!
Sounds like the second doctor is much more rational and realistic. I'd stick with that one! I'm glad you followed through, and it sounds like there will be some discussions in that office!!!

I personally would allow my child to be a part of such a study, whether or not she showed "symptoms" or any characteristics. I have seen the wonders of early interventions, so anything that furthers research in effective early detection could benefit an untold number of children, possibly including my own. I would just approach it all with the attitude that it is only a study, and not conclusive. For example, if they wanted to include Aubree in the study, her behaviors and experiences can reaffirm that some children do simply do have certain mannerisms that mimic signs of autism, but they outgrow it. This also could be very valuable to a study.

[Tanker Chic]

Wow, that is NUTs.  My son does all those things and I'm no dr, but i'm not concerned about his development at all.  He has a ton of toys and goes from toy to toy all the time.  I also read that until children reach a certain age they don't play together... they play in parallel which sounds like what you described.  She is too young for much interactive playing...  I would be furious!!  

my son is 14 months old and still sometimes doesn't want me looking straight into his eyes if I'm too close.  But think about it, who does??  I was somewhat concerned about the whole eye contact thing.. I even posted about it at one point.. but I've gotten over it.  Sometimes he does avoid eye contact but often he doesn't... I think that is pretty normal.  

I would be furious.  

[Me2mommy2b]

oh, wow.  Is the pedi young?  She seems to be jumping to conclusions very quickly.  I would not worry just yet.  She's still very young.  Some kids diagnosed actually hit their milestones pretty early and were doing great up until 24 months or so.  Many parents report "loss of language", meaning that their child was saying x,y,z but stopped communicating and were tantruming instead.  Avoiding eye contact and unawareness of the surrounding is a red flag BUT you know your child better and how she acts in what situation.  Again, do get a second opinion but it's still a bit TOO early.  Good luck.

[fungirl1011]

I have tons of experience with autisum as my daughter is autistic.  I noticed several things with her that did not seem "right" when she was about 6 months old.  She was still sleeping like a newborn, she did not give direct eye contact, she had NO interest in toys, and she was very delayed in her milestones.  I do have to say though, that she also has a seizure disorder and has some brain damage, which further complicates our situation.  My neurologist would not even diagnose my daughter until she was 9 (we were suspicious since she was about 3, but he wanted to give her time to see if it was just her brain damage and seizures or if it was truel autisum).  It is very rarely that a child would be diagnosed before the age of 2, BUT I would too let my child be apart of the study, as the above poster said, early intervention is necessary.  Even if your dd is autistic, it does not mean that she will not have a good, healthy, "normal" life.  There are SO many levels of autisum.  My dd is severly autistic, as she is nonverbal and just started walking a year ago Easter and she is 11 years old.  She is also one of the happiest children I have ever seen.  She too is very affectionate and loving.  She loves to be around other kids, especially babies.  Autisum can be very scary, but it also has its rewards too.  My daughter has taught my so much about compassion, happiness, and unconditional love.  I could not love her any more if she were "normal".  I think a second opinion is a great idea, but don't be too quick to dismiss the possibility.  I know that my family was in denial (not me, I knew something was wrong from the age of 6monhts, but the doctor would not listen to me) for so long, but it was actually a relief when we got the diagnosis.  It finally gave us something to put with her delays and behaviors.  Please feel free to contact me at anytime (PM me and I can give you my e-mail address too).  Like I said, I have a ton of experience in this area.  I will pray for your DD.  Kasie

[Juliaschill]

I adopted a boy at 10 months, He does have autisum, but at 10 months had reached most of his milestones,But and here is the Big But, I knew after a few days of him being in my home that something was "off", They said it was failur to thrive, because he was just left in him crib by his birth mom, It was not until he was 3 and a half that they even brought up the word autisum.  You know her best and if in your gut you don't feel it I think that is what you should listen too, My son in now 10 and talks all the time, mostly about trucks LOL and loves hugs but still does not really make eye contact, He is just perfect in my eyes.  Wish you and your little one lots of luck and many wondeful memeories making all of her milestones!!  Julia

[mum2beagain]

Almost every single one of us will at sometime or other display one or two signs of autism, but we are not all autistic right? Autism is a complicated dissorder and to be diagnosed a child must display several combined behaviours over a period of time. Autism testing is not done by obserevation of in a doctors office for 30 minutes. 11 months is way to early to be suggesting autism.
However I think a follow up with someone who can give you a second opinion is worthwhile. Someone in that office saw something that made them question your daughters development, I would be wanting to find out if they were right or wrong. I am a great believer in early intervention services; even if it is just to confirm everything is fine.
My oldest son is autistic, no one would even consider testing him until he was 3 and he was already in intervention. He is a most loving and affectionate child, everyone told me he was too loving to be autistic. He was ahead with his speech, knew hundreds of words, could count and knew his alphabet by the age of two but his receptive language was very poor and his speech never developed into any kind of normal conversation. He also had lots of sensory issues and some repetitive behaviours. His eye contact was okay but not brilliant.
I have had my younger child followed by early intervention also; just as a precaution but he hasn't needed any intervention. I am glad we did this.