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Possible autism?
Good evening,
My 33 month old son concerns me greatly. Since he was fifteen months, I have suspected he may have autism. My reasons vary because he lost his ability to say words, pointed with his thumb, and appeared to "be in his own world." To this day, when I point my finger and say "look", he will stare at my finger. Or if I say look and stare out the window, he will look at me. At 33 months, my suspicions are still bothering me. To date, my son says approximately 20 words. Often times, when he does speak, he is typically repeating words or phrases he hears others saying; he doesn't have much spontaneous speech. The spontaneous speech he will say is "eat" or "milk" or "cookie." He will also sign these things when he needs them. As far as his social or playtime with peers, this concerns me as well. Recently, I took him on a playdate with a 3 year old, The 3 year old kept trying to play with him by giving his toys and smiling at him, and my son took the toy and ignored the child for 45 minutes. The only time he went to the child was when the child turned the lights off, and he went to the child and grabbed the child to try to force the child's hand to turn on the lights. His playing with toys also bothers me. While on the playdate, my son took the boy's phone and was swinging it like a jump rope; and he tried to eat the ball. he does however play with his toys normally; he will play with his cars by "driving" them and making a vroom sound, and throw his balls into his basketball goal. His pediatrician said that he will probably grow out of it and to have him around more children. That wasn't satisfactory for me, so I took him to a pediatric neurologist who had me do a eeg. The EEG showed that my son had focal discharges in the right part of his brain, which the neurologist said was common in children with autism, but also appears in typically developing people. Then, he said it was too early to tell if he is autistic and that my son was probably a late bloomer. I have had him in speech therapy for a year, and he still doesn't say more than 20 words. Everyone tells me to wait, but from what I've read, I should catch autism early and it seems like everyone, doctors included, want to tell me to wait. I just seem to be at my wits end because I don't know what my next step should be.
My 33 month old son concerns me greatly. Since he was fifteen months, I have suspected he may have autism. My reasons vary because he lost his ability to say words, pointed with his thumb, and appeared to "be in his own world." To this day, when I point my finger and say "look", he will stare at my finger. Or if I say look and stare out the window, he will look at me. At 33 months, my suspicions are still bothering me. To date, my son says approximately 20 words. Often times, when he does speak, he is typically repeating words or phrases he hears others saying; he doesn't have much spontaneous speech. The spontaneous speech he will say is "eat" or "milk" or "cookie." He will also sign these things when he needs them. As far as his social or playtime with peers, this concerns me as well. Recently, I took him on a playdate with a 3 year old, The 3 year old kept trying to play with him by giving his toys and smiling at him, and my son took the toy and ignored the child for 45 minutes. The only time he went to the child was when the child turned the lights off, and he went to the child and grabbed the child to try to force the child's hand to turn on the lights. His playing with toys also bothers me. While on the playdate, my son took the boy's phone and was swinging it like a jump rope; and he tried to eat the ball. he does however play with his toys normally; he will play with his cars by "driving" them and making a vroom sound, and throw his balls into his basketball goal. His pediatrician said that he will probably grow out of it and to have him around more children. That wasn't satisfactory for me, so I took him to a pediatric neurologist who had me do a eeg. The EEG showed that my son had focal discharges in the right part of his brain, which the neurologist said was common in children with autism, but also appears in typically developing people. Then, he said it was too early to tell if he is autistic and that my son was probably a late bloomer. I have had him in speech therapy for a year, and he still doesn't say more than 20 words. Everyone tells me to wait, but from what I've read, I should catch autism early and it seems like everyone, doctors included, want to tell me to wait. I just seem to be at my wits end because I don't know what my next step should be.
Thank you. I have been researching the net and found an ABA treatment facility in my hometown. I'm scheduled to check it out this week. There's a waiting list, but I'm hoping he will be in the program soon. They offer behavioral specialists, psychiatrists, and sped teachers. So wish us luck!
My oldest son's wife has a brother with severe autism. By your son's age, J's mother had already been told that institutionalization was her only viable option. Of course, this occurred more than 25 years ago. Today, unbelievable amounts of research studies have forever altered the way in which this disorder is viewed. But, medical opinions vary widely, from doctor to doctor. My daughter sought help concerning her own daughter, but was informed that a three-year-old is too young to diagnose--similar to that which you have encountered. Her only recourse was to have V. assessed by Head Start. Any child is eligible, rich or poor. The assessments are comprehensive and help with both educational and behavioral plans for action. What is most important is that you should not give up. If you don't continue to go to bat for your son, who will? It is easy to access current study results. First, go online and check under "autism" to locate information. The National Institute of Health is an excellent place to begin. Search under developmental disorders too. Amazon has tons of recently published books listed on the topic. Arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can absorb! So much can be done, so don't wait. As they say, "the clock is ticking". With as many symptoms as he exhibits, time is of the essence. (And if you fail to "click" with one professional, try another.)
Also, my son will play by himself for a long time. My brother watches him during the day, and a few days ago, much to my horror, he said, "Your son is great to watch. Most kids will say get up..do this..etc but your son will literally play for more than hour by himself. Yes..I did get a new babysitter
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