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Avatar universal

Is this Autism????

My Nephew has some behaviors that worry me.  I don’t want to alarm his parents.  I want to find out as much as I can before I point things out to them.

He will be two at the end of December, he still does not speak at all, does not respond when you call his name, does not show eye contact, although it is getting better now.  He enjoys changes, does not attach himself to any toy, he picks up one plays with it a little bit then moves on to something else.  Loves watching cartoons, cannot distract him for anything while watching.  Loves playing with others, enjoys peak a boo, loves being picked up, like when you throw him in the air and hold him.

He was learning to speak or understand some things when he was turning one, like blowing out candles, clapping, saying bye, mama and papa, but he lost it all, I think due to traveling from one country to another.  His mom traveled with him for close to 3 month and when he came back he had to get used to us all as new.  I don’t know if that had any effect on him.  Also the language difference between where he was first and where he went might have confused him.

Please help.
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Avatar universal
I would suggest you to alarm  his parents, please the aerlier the better, autism is not black and white  a good specialist in austim could help him the best to be sure if he need help or not, not a pediatrician for them everythign is perfect,  visit a specialist in autism soon because if he is not fine he can superate better his difficultys but if he is diagnostic late his recover will not be as fast as whe is is  very young. Its better  to  be proactibe and not reactive. Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for putting the criteria out for viewing. I admire you for working with students "under the umbrella". I just do the testing. I use to teach (which I miss at times) and all my special kids were wonderful. Keep up the good work!
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Avatar universal
Does he make eye contact if you try to make him? How did he deal with change? When he plays, is it unusual in anyway or plays with odd objects? Is he repetitive with things? How about play with others his own age? Does he show expressions? What happens when you’re in his space or proximity? Will he give hugs real hugs? What is he diet like…I mean what kind of foods does he eat? Are the cartoons different ones or all the same like “Thomas the Train”?  What happens if he can’t watch cartoons will he find something else or get stuck and refuse to move on? Does he talk to people he does know? Can he talk in a different language? A toddler (18-24 months) like him should Speak 20–50 words and understands language. Even if he was in a different country he should know something.  A child 24-36 months should be speaking in sentences.
Look for these things he should be doing:
- Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children
-More aware of herself as separate from others
-More excited about company of other children
-Points to object or picture when it's named for him
-Recognizes names of familiar people, objects, and body parts
-Says several single words (by 15 to 18 months)
-Uses simple phrases (by 18 to 24 months)
-Uses 2- to 4-word sentences (24-36)
-Follows simple instructions
-Repeats words overheard in conversation
Look for theses things as a warning for the toddler of 24-28 months that something is wrong if :
-Fails to develop heel-toe walking after several months of walking, or walks only on his toes
-Does not speak at least 15 words
-Does not use two-word sentences by age 2
-By 15 months, does not seem to know the function of common household objects (brush, telephone, bell, fork, spoon)
-Does not imitate actions or words by the end of this period
-Does not follow simple instructions by age 2
-Cannot push a wheeled toy by age 2
Signs of Autism Spectrum disorder or ASD :
prefer to play by themselves not acknowledge other kids who play alongside them
like to line up objects and sort them into colors have difficulty making eye contact with other people communication problems, which may include delays in developing speech, repeating words, and speaking in a monotone that lacks pitch, inflection, or rhythm poor social interaction repetitive behavior and interests unusual behaviors, such as spinning or flapping hands speech that's often limited to a few repeated or "echoed" words or phrases stopping speaking altogether problems with communicating needs withdrawing from physical contact with other people want to be alone seldom playing fantasy or imagination games engaging in repetitive movements like rocking, hand flapping, or spinning objects throwing tantrums that are prolonged and begin with little warning laughing or crying out of nowhere difficulty showing or receiving affection resistance to change in daily routines no fear of danger very physically active or lack of response to verbal cues (calling the child's name, questions, etc.) unusual responses to many sensory experiences, especially to sudden, loud noises or high-pitched sounds obsession with predictable rituals and sometimes playing with only one part of a toy
Hope this helps and good luck! I teach students on the Autism Spectrum
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Avatar universal
Does he have a hearing loss? That would be my first concern. He is fairly young, so if he continues to regress, I would be concerned about other disorders that have "autistic like" behaviors. Could he have picked up some kind of virus or disease from another country? Usually for children so young, memory of relatives and family friends can be lost due to the lack of physical interaction. Relatives who were consistently in the child's life are more likely to be remembered than more casual relationships. three months is a long time to be away without a great deal of memory loss.

Keep the faith......The answer is coming. be patient
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