The more I read about Autism, I am starting to wonder if Riley was misdiagnosed. I've been through lots of internet information, and I've been reading books, as well. Currently I am reading "Let Me Hear Your Voice", which is a WONDERFUL book. My son is NOTHING (not one characteristic) like Anne-Marie. At 29 months, he certainly has a speech delay, but he does speak. He has recently started to put together 2-3 word sentences on his own.

When the in home therapist comes to visit, he does everything for her. She's very friendly, and he enjoys "playing" with her. He switches from one activity to the next without problem, most of the time. When we went to the Ped Neur. for evaluation, he didn't do anything they wanted. She would say "Where's the saucer?" and he wouldn't know. Saucer is not a word we use with Riley, how WOULD he know? When she wanted him to point out pictures in the notebook, he related to the notebook, not the pictures. He wanted to play with the "handy dandy notebook", not point out the objects in the pictures. I asked the Ped Neur to show him the pictures away fromt he notebook, but she wouldn't. So when she said "what's this, Riley?" his answer was "Handy Dandy Notebook". When she took toys away from him he cried and wanted them back--That didn't seem SO unusual to me. It could be autism, but it could be that he really wanted to play with the toy????

This morning, when my husband went in to get Riley from the crib, Riley exclaimed "Hi Daddy!". This is usual, not a one-time occurance. When we ask him "Where's the ____" he can usually point _____ out, and repeat it in his "toddler" talk way. When he drops something on the floor, he says "Oh No" or "Ought Oh". After I changed his diaper this morning, he said "Donut", to let me know it was time to go get his morning donut. We started down the stairs, and he said "Bye Bye, Daddy" to my husband.

He doesn't have any repetitive behaviors, line things up, or seem obsessive in those ways. He has inconsistent eye contact, but mostly, he does look at people. He has started pointing out numbers and letters that he recognizes when he sees them somewhere, for example on a sign.

Is it possible that a speech delay, combined with "terrible twos" could be mis-diagnosed?

Please understand, it's not that I'm in denial or deparately want Riley NOT to be Autistic, it's just that the more exposure I am getting to Autism, the less and less I see it in Riley.

People make mistakes all the time. I also feel it is hard to be exactly sure about a child who is under three. Since your main concern is speech focus all your energy on that. Then a year from now take him back to the same people and see if they have changed their mind. People are not quick to throw around the diagnosis of autistic. It is a very serious diagnosis.

Since he would not point to things for the neurologist, when you are both reading books and you say point to the doggy, house, or ball can he do it? Is he using pronouns? Is he CONSTANTLY pointing to show you things? if you are outside is he pointing to big trucks, airplanes, or other children with his index finger. Not pointing to things is one of the biggest red flags for autism. Does he flap his hands when he is excited? Does he have toe walking? Does he look at things out of the corners of his eyes? Does he seem like he is zoning out? When he picks up his cars does he say vroom vroom? Does he ask questions. Where's daddy? What's that? Do you have to call his name several times before he will turn around?

Your son sounds exactly like mine when he was 30 months except my son has always had perfect eye contact. He had no trouble with transitions and no repetetive behaviors. He could also say Hi daddy, mommy and I want a burger or what ever he wanted. When we took him to a pediatric neuroloist one month after he was diagnosed the neurologist said nope he looks like a normal kid to me and that there was no way he was autistic. I was also told by two different speech therapists (speech therapists are not qualified to diagnos autism) and a psychologist that there was no way. However I took all of his test results and decided to set up an ABA program to work on his weaknesses 15 hours a week. He has always gone to a regular preschool. I feel it IS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. I did not want to get to Kindergarten and have my child struggle. There is such a small window to help your child and once it is gone there is no way to get it back. I can tell that you will not let things slide. You have done so much already to help your son. I think he will get through his problems a lot easier than most children. Let us know about his progress in speech.

He sounds very much like my son... he has semantic pragmatic language disorder, due to carnitine & Vitamin A deficiency.
You may want to start supplementing with Omega 3 fish oil, cod liver oil & L-carnitine. Sounds like he may have had a reaction to the DTaP/DTP. L-carnitine is excellent for speech/language problems.
I would definitely keep the ttherapists, as they will speed development along.
Take care,
C-GA