702031?1260479881
Jessica L Thomason Sassi, Ph.D., BCBA-D  
Female

Specialties: Autism, severe problem behavior

The New England Center for Children
33 Turnpike Road
Southborough, MA
My Posts
Could my child have Autism
Aug 03, 2011 in the Autism & Asperger's Syndrome Expert Forum
Although one of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders is highly stereotyped or repetitive behaviors (like body rocking, hand flapping, etc.), two other criteria must also be present: delays in language and impairments in social interactions. Many typically-developing children engage in stereotyped behaviors at some point, so keep in mind that...
child has begun having episodes of temporary paralysis, loss of speaking, blurry vision......
Aug 03, 2011 in the Autism & Asperger's Syndrome Expert Forum
All of the experts in this forum are doctors of psychology, not physicians, so we don't have the expertise to address this question. I would recommend that you aggressively pursue evaluation (by neurologists, or other specialists that you and your physician feel are relevant), which it sounds like you have already begun. Best of luck to you.
Autism and incontinence in teenagers
Jul 21, 2011 in the Autism & Asperger's Syndrome Expert Forum
My first recommendation would be to continue to pursue possible medical conditions – it is concerning that the bowel incontinence and reduce food intake occurred at the same time. Changes in school setting could definitely have a drastic effect on kids with developmental delays, but I would look to rule out any medical issues first. While you are doing so, y...
Is my 5 year old autistic?
Jul 21, 2011 in the Autism & Asperger's Syndrome Expert Forum
Autism and Asperger’s Disorders are characterized by a similar set of characteristics, most notably deficits in social interaction skills, communication skills, and highly stereotyped behaviors (e.g., repetitive motor or vocal behaviors that don’t seem to serve any function) or interests (topics of conversation or activity are highly restricted or narrow). T...
is this autism
Jul 21, 2011 in the Autism & Asperger's Syndrome Expert Forum
Based on your description, I would say that it doesn’t sound like he meets the diagnostic criteria for autism (delayed social interaction skills, delayed language skills, and highly restricted interests and/or repetitive behavior). Further, diagnosis requires in-person evaluation by a professional, and it sounds as though your family doctor has done an infor...
does my 3yr old have autism
Mar 01, 2011 in the Autism & Asperger's Syndrome Expert Forum
Based on your description I would say that you have some cause for concern, both because of his aggressive and destructive behaviors and because he sounds as though he shows some characteristics that suggest a possible autism spectrum diagnosis (language delays, possible social skills delays as well as somewhat restricted interests). However, only an in-pers...
is it aspergers
Feb 24, 2011 in the Autism & Asperger's Syndrome Expert Forum
Asperger’s Syndrome is characterized by narrow or repetitive patterns of behavior or interests and severe and sustained impairment in social interactions. It doesn’t sound as though he really fits that profile – he has friends (even if he sometimes would prefer to be alone) and has lots of interests (even if he again has some preferences for certain topics). ...
Could my son have asperger's syndrome/disorder?
Feb 24, 2011 in the Autism & Asperger's Syndrome Expert Forum
Autism is characterized by severe impairment in social interaction skills, communication skills, and/or stereotyped (ritualistic) behaviors, interests, and activities. Asperger’s Disorder has a similar profile (restricted interests, delayed or inhibited social interaction skills), but without the developmental and language delays seen in children with a diag...
Is it autism or speech/language delayed ?
Feb 24, 2011 in the Autism & Asperger's Syndrome Expert Forum
Diagnostic criteria for Pervasive Developmental Disorders (including Autism, Aspergers, and others) include delays in social interaction skills, communication skills, and the presence of stereotyped or restricted behavior and interests. It is difficult to tell the extent of a problem from a description, but what you are describing (diminished eye contact) mi...
4 year old behaviour at nursery
Aug 04, 2010 in the Autism & Asperger's Syndrome Expert Forum
Tantrums over sharing toys in 4 year-olds is a fairly common problem, so I don’t think you need to be concerned about autism or other diagnoses based on that type of behavior. However, although it is fairly common, you still may want to be “concerned” in that you’d like for him to thrive at the nursery – you want the teachers to like working with him and for...