matt'smom
04-14-2004, 10:52 PM
Hi, I'm new here, and am seeking some suggestions from some parents who are going through, or have been through the same concerns. My son is 32 months old, and is going through early intervention evaluations right now. He had a cognitive (delay in all areas, although not severe), speech (only at the age level of 1 year and 8 months), and Occupational therapy eval, although I haven't received those results yet. I have to wait 2 months to be seen by the neurologist, so needless to say, I am anxious.
He was always a good baby, almost too good. The only difficulty I've ever had was his inability to sleep through the night. He makes eye contact, although it is inconsistent. Sometimes we have to call his name 7 or eight times before he'll notice us. He still can't answer yes no questions, but can make his needs known ( want juice, milk, cookie, etc.). If I try to offer him choices, he doesn't know how to respond.
He goes to day care full time, and does not play with other kids, but will play with his siblings (11 and 14 years old) at home on occasion. He is fascinated by shapes, and knows them all (even trapezoid). He recognizes all capital letters of the alphabet.
When he is anxious and in a new setting, he will rock back and forth, and it will take him a long time to get off my lap to explore a new environment, all the whild humming or singing a song. He will not play with other children his age when I try to arrange play dates, and he never refuses to share like othe two and three year olds. If a toy is taken away, he just acts like he doesn't care. He has never said "mine", or tried to show me something in enjoyment, such as a new toy, or something he drew in school, even if I ask him to.
He has several toys, none of which I would say he plays in odd ways with, but is just not interested in. He would rather look at shapes, or jump on the bed most of the time, or run up an down the hallway "measuring " the banister
or lines in the wall paper by looking out of the corner of his eye.
He mouths objects very frequently now, more than even in infancy. His vocabulary is definately expanding, but he just is not fluid in conversation, and can't (or won't?) answer questions.
Could someone give me some insight?
Confused,
Matt's mom
He was always a good baby, almost too good. The only difficulty I've ever had was his inability to sleep through the night. He makes eye contact, although it is inconsistent. Sometimes we have to call his name 7 or eight times before he'll notice us. He still can't answer yes no questions, but can make his needs known ( want juice, milk, cookie, etc.). If I try to offer him choices, he doesn't know how to respond.
He goes to day care full time, and does not play with other kids, but will play with his siblings (11 and 14 years old) at home on occasion. He is fascinated by shapes, and knows them all (even trapezoid). He recognizes all capital letters of the alphabet.
When he is anxious and in a new setting, he will rock back and forth, and it will take him a long time to get off my lap to explore a new environment, all the whild humming or singing a song. He will not play with other children his age when I try to arrange play dates, and he never refuses to share like othe two and three year olds. If a toy is taken away, he just acts like he doesn't care. He has never said "mine", or tried to show me something in enjoyment, such as a new toy, or something he drew in school, even if I ask him to.
He has several toys, none of which I would say he plays in odd ways with, but is just not interested in. He would rather look at shapes, or jump on the bed most of the time, or run up an down the hallway "measuring " the banister
or lines in the wall paper by looking out of the corner of his eye.
He mouths objects very frequently now, more than even in infancy. His vocabulary is definately expanding, but he just is not fluid in conversation, and can't (or won't?) answer questions.
Could someone give me some insight?
Confused,
Matt's mom
Sponsor
princessputter
04-15-2004, 12:07 AM
IMO.. to me ur sons behavors could suggest autism... the biggest red flag for me when i read ur post was... the constant. jumping.. the measuring....the need for him to look at the lines... as hes running .. or doing what hes doing...also the fact he dosent interact with his peers... and prefers adults... .. or his older siblings...how is his diet.. is he picky there...? the rocking would also concern me... ur doin the right thing by havin him eval.. my son was dx`ed as classic autism when he was 3 good luck :bouncing:
matt'smom
04-15-2004, 07:54 AM
he is a picky eater, but aren't most toddlers? he only likes about 5 different foods, and refused to taste anything new. How do I know if its ADHD or something else besides autism. He wasn't always active, in fact, it's relatively
recent (about 2 months). Before this, he was very quiet.
Matt's mom
recent (about 2 months). Before this, he was very quiet.
Matt's mom
KathleenW
04-15-2004, 08:46 AM
Hi Matt's mom. You have documented in your posts a lot of red flags for autism. My son was diagnosed at 30 months with PDD. At that time his language was at one year 8 months also. Don't worry there is HOPE!!!!!!! My most important suggestion is to read the book LET ME HEAR YOUR VOICE. It is written by Catherine Maurice. This book changed my life and gave me the tools I needed to help my son.
My son was diagnosed through the DEC and then a month later we went to a pediatric neurologist to get a second opinion. By that time my son's language had exploded and he was pointing to everything. The whole 2 hours we spent with the neurologist my son was pointing out cars, toys, and bringing things over for us to see. The neurologist said nope there is no way he is autistic. He is completely normal. The neurologist said, I was out to lunch with my colleagues the other day and we started a discussion. He looked at everyone and said if you had one thing to hang your hat on to decide if a child had autism or not what would it be? He said every doctor at the table said children with autism do not point out things of interest or enjoyment.
We started an ABA program and speech therapy three times a week. Since I did not work I spent every waking moment with my son working on things that they were doing in his ABA program and speech. It is such a confusing time and I do not feel I would have made the decisions that I did if it were not for the book. I hope you get a chance to read it. I think it will answer a lot of your questions.
My son was diagnosed through the DEC and then a month later we went to a pediatric neurologist to get a second opinion. By that time my son's language had exploded and he was pointing to everything. The whole 2 hours we spent with the neurologist my son was pointing out cars, toys, and bringing things over for us to see. The neurologist said nope there is no way he is autistic. He is completely normal. The neurologist said, I was out to lunch with my colleagues the other day and we started a discussion. He looked at everyone and said if you had one thing to hang your hat on to decide if a child had autism or not what would it be? He said every doctor at the table said children with autism do not point out things of interest or enjoyment.
We started an ABA program and speech therapy three times a week. Since I did not work I spent every waking moment with my son working on things that they were doing in his ABA program and speech. It is such a confusing time and I do not feel I would have made the decisions that I did if it were not for the book. I hope you get a chance to read it. I think it will answer a lot of your questions.
matt'smom
04-15-2004, 04:38 PM
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for responding. I actually called my pediatician today to see if he could get me to a pediatric neurologist earlier than june, and to my surprise, an hour later, I got a call from a nuerologist for tomorrow!! I just hope that I leave ther with a clean bill of health, and just hear her say that he is just developmentally delayed, and will catch up. One reason why I'm confused is because at home he is much friendlier with his siblings and myself, but not with other people. When I arrive at day care everyday to pick him up, he runs to me and gives me the best hug. He just doesn't show interest in other people. He is always chatting away too, although he doesn't make much sense, just likes to hear his own voice i think. Do you have any suggestions for me to ask the neurologist tomorrow? Thanks for your help.
matt's mom. :confused:
Thank you for responding. I actually called my pediatician today to see if he could get me to a pediatric neurologist earlier than june, and to my surprise, an hour later, I got a call from a nuerologist for tomorrow!! I just hope that I leave ther with a clean bill of health, and just hear her say that he is just developmentally delayed, and will catch up. One reason why I'm confused is because at home he is much friendlier with his siblings and myself, but not with other people. When I arrive at day care everyday to pick him up, he runs to me and gives me the best hug. He just doesn't show interest in other people. He is always chatting away too, although he doesn't make much sense, just likes to hear his own voice i think. Do you have any suggestions for me to ask the neurologist tomorrow? Thanks for your help.
matt's mom. :confused:
KathleenW
04-15-2004, 06:24 PM
I am glad you have the appointment. Hopefully you will get the answers you are looking for. I did not. Of course my husband and I were ECSTATIC to hear from the top neurologist in the area that there was no way my son had autism. My son's symptoms are so mild that no one can tell. He has perfect eye contact, perfect language, above average cognitive levels and no aggressive or repetetive behaviors ( a lot of kids have toe walking, hand flapping, looking out of the corner of their eyes, limited eye contact, line up toys, and poor social skills).
I put off starting my ABA program for almost 3 months because the neurologist said he was fine. Like I said before even though he has perfect language and above average cognitive levels now, he was way behind in both of those areas until we started early intervention. We did speech therapy and started ABA therapy. The point I am trying to make is I think parents worry to much about the diagnosis of autism, what they should be worried about is. THE REASONS THE DIAGNOSIS WAS GIVEN.
It does not matter if he has autism or not, but what matters is you need to get him help early so he can catch up in speech and the other areas he is behind in when they did his cognitive testing. That is why I suggested the book Let Me Hear Your Voice. I hope you will get a chance to read it.
I can not think of any questions for you to ask the neurologist. He will be asking you a lot of questions. I guess just talk to him about the things that are concerning to you and he can tell you whether they are legitimate concerns. It is extremely common for children with autism to be close to the people in their family. I know when people think of the stereotypical child with autism they think of a child who is in his own world and does not even realize that other people exist. I personally know 8 children with autism and they are all very outgoing and loving towards their family members. It is in social situations with same age peers that they have trouble with.
Good luck tomorrow and let us know how the appointment went.
I put off starting my ABA program for almost 3 months because the neurologist said he was fine. Like I said before even though he has perfect language and above average cognitive levels now, he was way behind in both of those areas until we started early intervention. We did speech therapy and started ABA therapy. The point I am trying to make is I think parents worry to much about the diagnosis of autism, what they should be worried about is. THE REASONS THE DIAGNOSIS WAS GIVEN.
It does not matter if he has autism or not, but what matters is you need to get him help early so he can catch up in speech and the other areas he is behind in when they did his cognitive testing. That is why I suggested the book Let Me Hear Your Voice. I hope you will get a chance to read it.
I can not think of any questions for you to ask the neurologist. He will be asking you a lot of questions. I guess just talk to him about the things that are concerning to you and he can tell you whether they are legitimate concerns. It is extremely common for children with autism to be close to the people in their family. I know when people think of the stereotypical child with autism they think of a child who is in his own world and does not even realize that other people exist. I personally know 8 children with autism and they are all very outgoing and loving towards their family members. It is in social situations with same age peers that they have trouble with.
Good luck tomorrow and let us know how the appointment went.
matt'smom
04-26-2004, 10:36 PM
Hi Kathleen!
Thank you for responding> Can you believe that I had never seen your response until now (4/26)! The nuero did say that Matty was autistic. I have been reading nonstop since then (including let me hear your voice) loved it. I have made an appt for a developmental pediatrician next week. I'm still so confused. Some days he seems more in tune that other days. He is definately more "in tune" at home. He actually gave kisses tonight when asked, which he almost never does. His eye contact is inconsistent, but he will look at us when he chooses. His language is still not fluid, but tonight he said "Daddy", and pointed to him. That was a first also. Could it be that he's just slow in development and not autistic?
Still wondering,
Matt's mom
Thank you for responding> Can you believe that I had never seen your response until now (4/26)! The nuero did say that Matty was autistic. I have been reading nonstop since then (including let me hear your voice) loved it. I have made an appt for a developmental pediatrician next week. I'm still so confused. Some days he seems more in tune that other days. He is definately more "in tune" at home. He actually gave kisses tonight when asked, which he almost never does. His eye contact is inconsistent, but he will look at us when he chooses. His language is still not fluid, but tonight he said "Daddy", and pointed to him. That was a first also. Could it be that he's just slow in development and not autistic?
Still wondering,
Matt's mom
KathleenW
04-27-2004, 08:34 AM
That is definitley exciting that he pointed at his dad and said daddy. Once children start pointing the language will come in. Is your son's diet high in dairy? My son used to drink about 4 glasses of milk a day, eat cheeseburgers, yogurt, and pizza almost every day. When we took out ALL DAIRY from his diet he went from 25 to 200 words in one month and pointed to EVERYTHING. Also we gave him 50 mg of B6, 250 mg of magnesium, and DMG every day. The results were a miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was so alert and completely lost the "space cadet look". Anyway those are just two things you could try. Vitamins B6 and magnesium have NO SIDE EFFECTS. I have heard from a couple people that DMG has caused hyper activity. My son has never had a problem in that area. For him DMG has done everything they say it will to help children with autism. The biggest thing was that it completely reduced his frustration level. He is so PATIENT!!!!!! I think that is a miracle for a 3 year old. If he can't do something he works on it until he can do it or says Mommy will you help me please.