Is this Autism???

[ccdemint]

I have a 4 year old niece who has been behind in many ways.  She did not crawl unitl age 1 and did not walk until age 2.  She is under weight, she is 26 lb.s and she is below in height as well.  She copys what you say but can not have a one on one coversation.  She can sing songs and understands when you tell her to do something but can not answer questions and does not ask quetions.  She also has dark spots on here upper body that doctors can not seem to figure out what they are or the cause.  She has had the spots since she was three months old.  She is 90% potty trained and just recently learned.  Very concerned about her.  Her parents do not talk about it and just wondering if you may know what possible cause might be for her delay.  She is a sweet little girl with lots of energy but greatly needs some answers.  Any ideas or thoughts of possible causes will be greatly appreciated.

[Myrna Libby, Ph.D., BCBA]

I am not sure what the diagnosis is but I would recommend an evaluation by a team of professionals at a local university or hospital to identify or rule out developmental issues.  The advantage is that children with defiticts profit most from early diagnosis and intervention.  And if there is nothing wrong, then it is great to rule out problems.  the diagnosticians should include a developmental pediatrician or a pediatric neurologist as well as PT/OTs and language specialists.

[angelinamarina]

I have a 4 year old autism spectrum girl.  She did not walk until 16 mo...and is behind in other ways.  It really sounds like your niece does have some issues that she should be seen for.  It could be mild autism spectrum, or a learning disorder, or ?? Sometimes parents are so traumatized by thinking that their kid could have autism or something  like it, they are in denial....we were like that and very angry when it was mentioned to us a long time ago.  Now, we talk about it openly.  My advice would be to mention a book or tv show that you have seen about autism spectrum and see if they want to talk about it.  Otherwise, she should be seeing a developmental pediatrician for help.  They say that age 0-5 are the best  years for treatments.  Hope you can talk openly to your sibling.
-Angi