Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

delayed speech

My son is 4 and a half years old.  He has delayed speech.   His sentences are one to three words.  His doctor had always said he was perfect.  Everything else has developed normally and on time. At age 4, his doctor felt that maybe he fell on the spectrum of Autism because of delayed speech and his behavior.  I took him to see a speech pathologist.  She said he had receptive/expressive disorder.   I took him to a neurologist, and after 15 minutes of observation, he decided that it is Autism.  I was told to get myself educated on the subject.  After taking my child off all milk and wheat products, I found a DAN doctor.  This doctor felt that he does not have Autism.  The DAN doctor sent me to a hearing specialist.  The hearing doctor said it is not hearing and he also flet that he did not have autism.  The DAN doctor and the hearing specialist feel he is not Austitic because he is aware of his surroundings and understand what is being said to him.  The hearing specialist has now refered me to another neurologist.  My question is, if it isn't autism and it isn't hearing, what else could it be?  
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
242606 tn?1243782648
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Such stereotyped, repetitive behavior can indicate a problem along the Pervasive Developmental Disorder spectrum, but it does not by itself indicate that such a condition exists. I recommend either a developmental evaluation (by a team of specialists) or an evaluation by a child psychiatrist.
Helpful - 1
242606 tn?1243782648
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Besides the delay in speech/language, what behavior is of concern? If the only concern is around the language issue, he is certainly does not display a condition along the spectrum of autism. But is there something else about him that prompts people to be concerned?
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Yes.  My son repeats things over and over.  He will become obsessed with shapes, letters, and numbers.  Anything he is interested in is repeated over and over.  
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Child Behavior Forum

Popular Resources
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
We answer your top questions about the flu vaccine.
Learn which over-the-counter medicines are safe for you and your baby
Yummy eats that will keep your child healthy and happy
Healing home remedies for common ailments