Hi-I have a 2.4 year old son who I am guessing is autistic. He doesn't say mom or dad doesn't greet people with hi or bye and does not have eye contact with anybody but me or with his dad occasionally. He responds to his name once or twice if we call him about 10 times. He is lactose intolerant and very fussy with any change in his regular food. But when asked to point out body parts he does do it, and he understands some of the things that I tell him. When taken to the play area he goes off alone and he parrots whatever he sees on barney which is his favourite show. He says only about 10-12 words no sentences at all. We have to still get him evaluated. Does he have hope of ever talking in sentences. Do the therapies help at all?? Please can somebody let me know. Both of us are very worried about our little one.

Thanks
gods gift

Yes, loads of hope there! My boy was just the same, but with less speech.

My advice is get him seen so that you can have someone to show you the way. We didn't know what to do with our little boy (aged 3) lost in his own little world although he was quite happy. We didn't know how to play with him, how to get him to respond to us etc how to teach him to talk, how to get him to say 'Mummy'...

When he was first diagnosed at 3 and a half we had an hour a week with a wonderful woman who 'played' with our little boy. She showed us how to play with him, and she showed him how to respond, how to ask for things, how to interact. It was incredible to watch. She opened the door.

He is now 7, potty trained and trying really hard with language. It's difficult..you can see the cogs turning in his brain...but it's coming. We're used to sentences now, we never thought there would be any.

So ,yes, go through the diagnosing, it's true - early is good, get the help.

Hi there! I was born in Mountain View!!!

Anyway, the frist thing you need to do is get him evaluated like you said. That will give him a diagnosis, and it will lead him to speech therapy and Occupational therapy if he needs it. And get the evaluation done soon, there are lengthy waiting lists. At least there is here in Seattle.

Find out in your area about the Birth to Three program. Since he's 2.5 , he's still got a few months of services with them . Contact the special services in your school distric and they should be able to put ypu in contact w/ the birth to 3 people. After 3 yrs of age, they enter the school system, and will get services thru them.

My son is 6.5. Is potty trained, doesn't speak in sentances, but gets his point across.He was naming body parts and being social then lost it all at 18 months. Would not answer to his name. His hearing tests came out fine. No eye contact, found his reflection and shadow in almost everythin, and lined up all his toys, not playing with things appropriately....and like your son, is a truly happy guy. He's doing well in school, writes the alphabet, #'s to about 30, and is reading sight words.

Remember there is a spectrum of autism. Some have it very mildly, some very low functioning. Then some show signs and with the right dr.s and therapists drop their diagnosis.

My youngest is speech delayed, and with a child ALREADY on the spectrum I got him into the birth to 3 program and he is doing GREAT.

So just remember you're his advocate, and the sooner the better!!!!!
Keep your chin up and good luck, hope I've helped!!:D