Need your help - Autism Spectrum Message Board

MikeyRosen · 08-19-2002, 09:27 AM

I just started researching this morning about Autism and found this site. My friend has 2 year old who is and has been displaying some odd symptoms. My friend has asked the peditrician questions and showed concern and told everything's fine, some kids are late bloomers. This little one just turned two. 2 lazy eyes, is far sighted, clumsy, no attention span, no speech at all but does understand and follows direction, horrible behavior, hitting, pinching, screaming, tantrums, squeals and points to get things. HELP!!!! How do I tell my friend theres a real problem with out crumbling her world. This is baby # 2 for her and because of all these things they just give in to her every whim it's out of control.

RachelK · 08-19-2002, 12:26 PM

Hello,

Since your friend has asked her pediatrition questions then she is aware that there is a problem. I would suggest her having her child evaluated by and early intervention group. Her local school district is one but I know here in Texas the child has to be three. I also know that there are early interventions thru the state (here it is called MHMR). I too was aware that my son was behind the "norm" in alot of areas and I too was told to take the "wait and see" approach. I do not recommend the wait and see approach. Early intervention is crucial. I finally had my child evaluated at about age 3 1/2. I wished I went with my gut instinct and had him evaluated earlier. I really feel like I wasted about a year and half waiting on something that was not going to happen without professional help. Just tell your friend that she should go with her gut instinct and maybe suggest early intervention. Alot of these evaluations are free and it will help ease her mind if nothing is truely wrong.

I have to tell you even though my son did not start various treatments until almost 4 he is doing very good. He just started kindergarten this year and we're hoping he will be mainstreamed next year.

Good luck to you in your decision to tell your friend. I know it is very hard to help someone that might not want to believe that something is wrong. I know I was one of them. But do it for the child. In the long run she will appreciate you.

Rachel K

acbuchan · 08-23-2002, 11:00 AM

Hi I have 2 autistic children, and as I discovered on my search there are many many things that mimic autism. Some disorders that are worse and some that are better (outcome wise). Does the child in question do any of the following? Toe walking, rocking, spinning wheels, spinning him/her self, look at you when you talk to them - look briefly or totally?, do anything obsesively?/repetatively?, does the child have a ridge running from the top of the nose to the fontennelle (where it was), does the child have bowel problems?, how does the child interact with other children? These are all question you will be asked by the specialists, I pretty much told them that my children were autistic, by the research that I did prior, and when they evaluated them for weeks they came back and said guess what your'e right! But believe me there are so many disorders that are very similar, is your child able to learn normally (appart from the language difficulties)?. I would be interested to know more. I am not a doctor or professional, just a mum who has learnt a little from others and experience. Hope Ive helped a little! Cindy

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 08-23-2002).]

mushroom · 08-23-2002, 04:39 PM

I would encourage this parent to get this child a neurological evaluation and insisit on an MRI of the brain and an eeg.
Most autistic children don't point to things they want or understand directions, but there are always those who break the rules.
She should also get evaluated by early intervention for speech and behavior issues.
keg