Possible autism in my 2 yr old

[devonsmom08]

I believe my child could possibly have autism or maybe even a learning disability. We started noticing changes in him around 7-8 months of age. Before then, he was talking, making animal sound, when we would point to things & tell him to get it, he would. There's also others. He would know what animals we were talking about if we asked. Now at almost 2, he doesn't say any words at all!!! That worries me the most!! He also doesn't make animal sounds anymore, gets somethings you ask him to. His father & I have been noticing him do alot of things that relate to children w/autism. He flaps his arms & hand all the time! He basically does it all day long. Goes even faster when excited. Even standing still,he holds his arms partially out to his sides. He has bad screaming episodes at night. The past week it's gotten worse. He does it 2-3X's a night. & He's not always asleep when that happens. It can last for up to 2-3 minutes! He's a very picky eater. All he wants to eat is junk food. Sometimes I have to make him sit & eat. That definitely doesn't always work!!! I write down all the things I really see him eat so I can buy stuff he'll actually eat. But he'll like somethings 4 a few times then doesn't like it anymore. He will walk 1/2 circles around me or his father. Whoever is sitting on the floor w/him. He'll go to the one side, then the other. He'll do that about a 1/2 dozen times. The waking up at night screaming & his temper tantrums worry me too. Just the simplest little toy can set him off. It's maily just little thing that upset him. He walks on his tip toes when he runs. Had more things down that I was concerned about. When I brought him to his Dr, I gave her the 4-5 pages of detailed issues & concerns we had about his healthy & learning patterns. She didn't seem to believe or care about what I had to say. So I think to humor me she sent us for a hearing test. Which came back perfect. He is socially great!!! He loves people, has no problem unless it's a big group of people. We had my brother-in-law, wife, & daughter come to visit. When they stopped in to see us, he was interested for a little bit then went & hid in corner of room & wanted to stay there by himself. I wish I had made copies of my notes because I had some more issues. I  could really use another opinion. Until I find a new Dr who shows some interest in my concerns! I wanna do whatever it takes to find out whats going on with him!!
Thank you!!!!

[AshD1990]

I am not too sure where you live, however here in Canada- children cannot be diagnosed with any delays (including Austism) until the age of at least 3.  I think that your child is still too young to show any signs and is simply following a learning path.  I would wait it out and see what happens.

all the best!

[William L. Holcomb, Ph.D., BCBA-D]

It is always a difficult situation when you have concerns about your child’s development, and your pediatrician just doesn’t “see” what you are talking about.  (Pediatricians are usually the first contact point for accessing additional assessments and services.)  I think that if you are concerned you should ask for a second opinion on your son’s development.  Ask for a pediatrician or a pediatric neurologist with training and experience with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).  By the way, ordering a hearing test should always be done to rule out decreased hearing as a cause of non-responsiveness to spoken language and related problems that sometimes occur (and can look like some of the symptoms of ASD).  Also, one difficulty for diagnosticians is that the younger a child is the great the variability in typical behavior.  Many of the behaviors you are describing may be typical of any developing two-year-old child.  It usually comes down to the frequency of these behaviors that is indicative of a problem.  I am not trying to invalidate your concerns.  Certainly the absence of speech is quite unusual, for example.  Below are several websites with information about autism spectrum disorders (some specific to early identification).  You may find it helpful to review these sites so that you can better express your concerns to your son’s doctors.  Hope this is helpful.  


About.com Pediatrics
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/weeklyquestion/a/04_signs_autism.htm
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/Autism.cfm
First Signs
http://www.firstsigns.org/
Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies
http://www.behavior.org/

[lesley3232]

Hi,

I dont know how the system works for you, I like in england and as well as see my GP I can go to the local clinic where there are health visitors.  If you tell your health visitor your concerns they can refer you to the clinic doctor who can then refer you to a child development doctor and so on. Are there clinics like this where you live?

Lesley

[KarenDiane]

It sounds like you are on the rigt track with seeking a new Dr. If not autism (which it may be) it seems that there are delays at least. I'm sure he could benefit from speech and possibly occupational therapy. The waking up at night screaming could be night terrors. I'm not familiar with them, just heard of them. A competant Dr. will address all these issues. Good Luck.