Re: Could this be connected to autism?

Posted By peds neuro md, bm on August 17, 1998 at 11:53:08:

In Reply to: Could this be connected to autism? posted by Gayle on June 19, 1998 at 23:58:47:






I have a son with aspergers disorder.  He is 6.  His sister is 4 1/2 and I have some concerns about her that are puzzling.  She does not alternate feet when going up and down stairs, she doesn't peddle a bike, she doesn't socialize with kids outside of immediate family (she is hostile if they approach her), she picks at everything like it has lint on it, she prefers soft foods, she won't play like other kids..she is fearful of heights and movement.  She wouldn't go outside for weeks when it was windy.  She panicked saying the wind would blow her away.  Her speech is odd.  It seems out of context..inappropriate use of words or pronouns.  (Is it dark out, the sky will break?)...(Because that's how the way it goes?)...(Tomorrow  I not goina get married when I'm dead first).
Her 2 year old brother speaks and moves better than she does.  Oddly, she draws very well..good details and very exact.  She has been getting PT for over a year (one on one gymnastics...) She has problems w/"motor planning" and praxis according to PT.  I have seen some success.  At 4 1/2 she can now hop twice on one foot and at times hold her balance on one foot for 2-3 seconds.  She just recently caught a ball!
I don't know what direction to go.  I had her evaluated by Child Find and they referred her to special ed a few days a week.  She presented as nervous, shy.. talking almost inaudibly,  and didn't pass tests (ex. point to dog...she pointed to every picture)  After a few months she was dismissed from the program because "she seemed fine"...they interpreted her language as "being silly".
Any thoughts?
Does this sound like a connection to autism?
dear gayle,
Autism belongs to the spectrum of PDD which is pervasive developmental
delay. the mild end of this spectrum is asperger's syndrome where the
child is functionasl and usually have normal IQ. On the severe end of the
spectrum is autism. A child can be anywhere in this spectrum.
I suggest that you seek a second opinion with a pediatric neurologist
or a psychologist or child psychiatrist who has a lot of experience in this
field. At the cleveland clinic we have physicians who are expertise in this area, they will
also be able to provide you with places that have therapist that can work with
your child