concern for 2 1/2 yr. old grandson - Autism Spectrum Message Board

1grandma · 05-16-2006, 09:13 PM

I'm new to this so am hoping to get some feedback. My husband and I have a grandson who we feel may have some form of autism. When he was about 4 or 5 months we thought maybe he was deaf because he didn't respond to his name and rarely smiled at anyone. The parents had his hearing tested and it seemed to be good. He didn't like his diapers changed, especially by anyone but mom. He does have language but a lot of it seems to be repeating what someone says to him. He can tell you what he wants at times but there is usually a tantrum if you don't get it when he wants it. He has tantrums and wants to throw things or hit and pinch. Usually if you ask him if he wants something he will yell no as though he is angry you asked. When we walk into there home to visit, there isn't a very big response from him. Rarely will he come running up to us. If anything we feel we've come to disturb his little world. They recently had a small group of friends and family to their home and he ended up in the playroom, where he feels very safe, and played by himself for 2 hours. It seems most children that have other kids around want to interact with them. He does not. As soon as he walked into the backyard and saw the people, he turned and went back into the playroom
If we ask his a question he will look at us as though he hears us but doesn't know how he is suppose to respond. He may run around and look cute or just ignore.

I know this is kinda wordy but we are really concerned but don't feel it's our place to say anything to his mom and dad. We mentioned the deaf thing in the beginning and mom later told us that the pediatrician said he was fine and wasn't autisic, in a joking manner, of course.

What to do?

Aspergermom · 05-17-2006, 05:53 AM

If you have any concerns that he might be get them to have him tested now. My son started recieving services at 2 years old and I cannot tell you how much early intervention helped him! When my son was a baby he was very quiet and unresponsive at 1 we also had his hearing tested because we could stand behind him and yell and he would not turn around. His hearing was OK. At two my child would run from other children , he did not want them to touch him, he played by himself. Have him evaluated by a speech therapist just to get the ball rolling because it does sound like he might need speech help. doe he have any other sensory issues , like touching things that are messy, or noise, or with food?

9CatMom · 05-17-2006, 06:31 AM

I agree. Get help for him now. It sounds as if he has a lot of the issues associated with autism. Good luck to you and your grandson.

Tina81980 · 05-17-2006, 07:40 AM

Maybe if you pull some info off the internet about autism & it's symptoms they may be more willing to accept that something is not right, and have him tested. As you know it is very scary to think something is wrong with your child, and they may just be in a kind of denial hoping he will grow out of these behaviors. I was like this. My son has a mild form of autism, and I knew he was different, and I had family and even his preschool teacher mention autism but I thought they were crazy. He wasn't "that" bad. Well, after son research on autism I realized they were right, and had him tested. I only wished I would have listened before he was almost 5. I wish you & your family the best.
Tina...Mom to Justin 5 (Aspergers), Kelsey 3 (NT), & Megan 1 (Developmental Delay)

Liz Cook · 05-17-2006, 07:49 AM

getting your grandson evaluated by other professionals other than the pediatrician is a GREAT idea. our son was diagnosed late because his doctor kept stalling at the idea of autism. because isaac was able to be cuddley with us our doctor decided to wait and see how things progressed and we lost a whole year of services isaac could have received because everyone is brought up to trust what the doctor says. well the doctor was wrong and isaac is severly autisic with a slew of other issues

trust your instincts, doctors only see the kids maybe once or twice a year and trust me, their ideas on what autisim looks like is NOT up to date. if you have something in your area like CDS (child developemental services) like we do here they provide screenings (and you can self refer) to test for a bunch of developemental delays and to just see if a kids on track. they are funded by the educational department and so it's free (if that is an issue). G-Luck!