ANGDAD
05-29-2007, 12:27 PM
Hello,
My son will be 17 months old in about a week. He was born 5 weeks early.I haven't been on the board for awhile. My son had his re-evaluation with a Developmental Pediatrician about a month ago, and the same doctor confirmed what she thought the first time. She doesn't think that Angelo is anywhere on the spectrum. Her reasoning for this is that he has good receptive language(he will point to objects and people in the room when asked), he waves bye-bye and says hi, no eating or sleeping issues, no real sensory issues, and decent eye contact and social skills.
So why am I still worried? Angelo just started walking about 3 weeks ago. He doesn't have any real words yet, he has moved from always saying "DA" to "DA-ee", he kind of says "kitty" when he sees the cat, does say "hi" to people, but that's it. He doesn't seem to know how to communicate however he will sometimes sign for "more" and he will point to what he wants. It seems like he points to things that he is interested in, but he doesn't look back to see if we are interested. He loves trucks and will point to them, but doesn't care if we see them. Shouldn't he also have an attachment to a stuffed animal or toy at this age?
Maybe it's because he just started walking, but he also just seems to wander and only play with things for a minute. And by play I mean empty a bookshelf or put things in a container and take them out a lot! This is his favorite thing to do. He will pretend to be sleeping sometimes though. He can be very affectionate at times also. I'm sorry for the rambling but I'm just wondering if any of you would be concerned knowing what you know about ASD?
Any responses to my son's situation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
John
My son will be 17 months old in about a week. He was born 5 weeks early.I haven't been on the board for awhile. My son had his re-evaluation with a Developmental Pediatrician about a month ago, and the same doctor confirmed what she thought the first time. She doesn't think that Angelo is anywhere on the spectrum. Her reasoning for this is that he has good receptive language(he will point to objects and people in the room when asked), he waves bye-bye and says hi, no eating or sleeping issues, no real sensory issues, and decent eye contact and social skills.
So why am I still worried? Angelo just started walking about 3 weeks ago. He doesn't have any real words yet, he has moved from always saying "DA" to "DA-ee", he kind of says "kitty" when he sees the cat, does say "hi" to people, but that's it. He doesn't seem to know how to communicate however he will sometimes sign for "more" and he will point to what he wants. It seems like he points to things that he is interested in, but he doesn't look back to see if we are interested. He loves trucks and will point to them, but doesn't care if we see them. Shouldn't he also have an attachment to a stuffed animal or toy at this age?
Maybe it's because he just started walking, but he also just seems to wander and only play with things for a minute. And by play I mean empty a bookshelf or put things in a container and take them out a lot! This is his favorite thing to do. He will pretend to be sleeping sometimes though. He can be very affectionate at times also. I'm sorry for the rambling but I'm just wondering if any of you would be concerned knowing what you know about ASD?
Any responses to my son's situation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
John
Sponsor
SuchGreatHeight
05-30-2007, 02:59 AM
From what you say, I agree with the Developmental Pediatritian, that he is not on the spectrum.
A child is not really considered "speeched delayed" until he reaches the age of 2 and can not speak. Your son does try to use words, and uses them appropriately, which is a really good sign.
If still worried by his 2nd birthday, see a speech therapist (as I did at that age), and they may be able to evaluate and help him.
As for your child's play, I wouldn't be too concerned. My cousin who is 2 (completely Neurotypical), has her favorite game of emptying out a toy box or bookshelf. I'm not sure if she likes the attention or just likes to tear things apart or what.
Obviously you're not 100% agreed with your son's Pediatrition. If it may help your gut feeling, and keep you a little at ease, seek an Autism Specialist or Autism (or Developmental) clinic.
SGH
A child is not really considered "speeched delayed" until he reaches the age of 2 and can not speak. Your son does try to use words, and uses them appropriately, which is a really good sign.
If still worried by his 2nd birthday, see a speech therapist (as I did at that age), and they may be able to evaluate and help him.
As for your child's play, I wouldn't be too concerned. My cousin who is 2 (completely Neurotypical), has her favorite game of emptying out a toy box or bookshelf. I'm not sure if she likes the attention or just likes to tear things apart or what.
Obviously you're not 100% agreed with your son's Pediatrition. If it may help your gut feeling, and keep you a little at ease, seek an Autism Specialist or Autism (or Developmental) clinic.
SGH
KathleenW
05-30-2007, 08:14 AM
To say that a child is not really speech delayed until they are 2 and do not speak is incorrect.
Two of the red flags are no consistant words by 18 months and not putting words together by 24 months.
ANGDAD, do not worry about whether your child has autism or not. Be proactive about his speech problems. Go to speech therapy 3 times a week. SIt in on all sessions and then repeat what the therapist did at home. This is what helped my son.
Two of the red flags are no consistant words by 18 months and not putting words together by 24 months.
ANGDAD, do not worry about whether your child has autism or not. Be proactive about his speech problems. Go to speech therapy 3 times a week. SIt in on all sessions and then repeat what the therapist did at home. This is what helped my son.
Liamsmom
05-30-2007, 03:30 PM
My son only said about 4 words than at 2 he just started talking in sentences and now it's non stop from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to sleep and sometimes he talks in his sleep. He's 5 now.
2cutekids
05-30-2007, 06:31 PM
my NT dd didn't really talk till she was 2 and then the gates opened.
As for just starting to walk, that's normal too... don't worry too much, walking has nothing to do w/ Autism. My son walked at 14 mos, my niece just started to walk at 16 mos.
He points, knows what he wants and how to tell you and that's good. As for not sharing what he likes, well his is ONLY 17 mos, not even a year and a half old... the is still just a baby in all actuality.
Personally, my son who is almost 13 mos, I almost cried the first time he pointed to things. He plays and puts things in to stuff, makes eye contact and everything... I'm really not worried about him at this point...and my oldest didnt' so any real signs and regression until he was 3 1/2 but this is different... I feel he will be NT, I just got that hunch. Even my drs agree so far his is fine.. will keep an eye on it but you can't worry yourself into seeing something that isn't there.
As for just starting to walk, that's normal too... don't worry too much, walking has nothing to do w/ Autism. My son walked at 14 mos, my niece just started to walk at 16 mos.
He points, knows what he wants and how to tell you and that's good. As for not sharing what he likes, well his is ONLY 17 mos, not even a year and a half old... the is still just a baby in all actuality.
Personally, my son who is almost 13 mos, I almost cried the first time he pointed to things. He plays and puts things in to stuff, makes eye contact and everything... I'm really not worried about him at this point...and my oldest didnt' so any real signs and regression until he was 3 1/2 but this is different... I feel he will be NT, I just got that hunch. Even my drs agree so far his is fine.. will keep an eye on it but you can't worry yourself into seeing something that isn't there.
jeffreys mom
05-30-2007, 08:21 PM
angdad;
It is my personal opinion that your son has more signs that point away from Autism. He does possess many of the skills that Autistic Children never have with out being taught and even then they tend not to use consistently.
Only you know your son and if in your gut you think something is not developing the way it should then check it out.
I've read most if not all of yours posts and some of them have had the ring of red flags however your most recent posts really don't.
You sound like a wonderful dad and all you can do at this point is watch him and notate the peculiar things to discuss with the doctor.
Hang in there
It is my personal opinion that your son has more signs that point away from Autism. He does possess many of the skills that Autistic Children never have with out being taught and even then they tend not to use consistently.
Only you know your son and if in your gut you think something is not developing the way it should then check it out.
I've read most if not all of yours posts and some of them have had the ring of red flags however your most recent posts really don't.
You sound like a wonderful dad and all you can do at this point is watch him and notate the peculiar things to discuss with the doctor.
Hang in there
grandma.intense
06-02-2007, 01:53 PM
Your son sounds ok.
As for walking, my GS (4) did not walk til 2 and within a few days he was running and climbing stairs!! And we made ourselves so sick with worry...we thought he had CP or something.
So go figure. he crawled on time then stretched it out to the max. We knew he could walk but he was unsure I guess.
As for talking, my other GS (6) hardly said much at 18 months and by 3 he was talking like an adult!! he walked early and is almost hyper in my opinion.
the 4 yr old who walked late was speaking in complete sentences at two and had a huge vocab...he is extremely calm as opposed to his big bro. Two different kids. :bouncing:
Even tho the doc has said your son is not on the spectrum, you still sound worried. if you are edgy about it, go to a another therapist and get a second opinion. but remember, all kids develop at their own pace...also, autism tends to show up after two. How can he be diagnosed at 17 months for sure...??
but, It sounds like you have your eye on the ball. don't worry so much.
Go for language therapy AFTER he has turned two. Before age two you are whistling Dixie...you must give him time to develop... Remember all kids do things on a different time table. don't panic. :angel:
As for walking, my GS (4) did not walk til 2 and within a few days he was running and climbing stairs!! And we made ourselves so sick with worry...we thought he had CP or something.
So go figure. he crawled on time then stretched it out to the max. We knew he could walk but he was unsure I guess.
As for talking, my other GS (6) hardly said much at 18 months and by 3 he was talking like an adult!! he walked early and is almost hyper in my opinion.
the 4 yr old who walked late was speaking in complete sentences at two and had a huge vocab...he is extremely calm as opposed to his big bro. Two different kids. :bouncing:
Even tho the doc has said your son is not on the spectrum, you still sound worried. if you are edgy about it, go to a another therapist and get a second opinion. but remember, all kids develop at their own pace...also, autism tends to show up after two. How can he be diagnosed at 17 months for sure...??
but, It sounds like you have your eye on the ball. don't worry so much.
Go for language therapy AFTER he has turned two. Before age two you are whistling Dixie...you must give him time to develop... Remember all kids do things on a different time table. don't panic. :angel: