Symptoms of a problem - Autism Spectrum Message Board

nowhere-child · 05-26-2006, 05:51 AM

I have a friend with a 2 (exactly) year old boy. She says he will say "some" words, but frankly I've only just heard him screaming in the background whenever I call her. He is obsessed with feces, to the point where they have to tape not only his diaper shut, but tape zippers and such so he can't even get down to the diaper. He apparently smears and throws poop, especially at night. My friend says it's a "stage".

He also eats paper to the extent that they can't let him have access to books unsupervised. He tries to eat rocks, dirt, and grass. Recently, she caught him drinking from a mud puddle at a ball game they went to.

She is a loving mother with some background in early childhood education. She wryly laughs when discussing his "antics" with me. I am becoming very concerned by what's going on. Is she in denial, or have I simply forgotten how 2 year olds behave? I don't remember my own kids ever doing these things.

She said the other day that she is going to mention his pica to the pedi, simply b/c she is worried that it may mean he's anemic. I seriously doubt this is the explaination, given the delay in words, and the poop obsession...what do you all think? How can I convey to her that this is something outside the norm? She really kind of crows about the fact she is so well educated in child development. She pretty much changes the subject if I voice any concern about him.

I'm just hoping the ped will pick up on any problems when he goes for his 2 year old check. Should I butt out?

9CatMom · 05-26-2006, 06:37 AM

These things co-existing together are a sign of a serious problem. I think, for this boy's sake, the problems should be addressed when he is still young. The dirt and paper eating does sound like pica.

soozeq · 05-26-2006, 06:46 AM

Hi There

My son, Liam (almost 3) was just very recently diagnosed autistic. My Dr. noted her concerns when I brought him in to discuss problems with his speech, and it went from there. After my paediatrician told me her suspicians, it became obvious to me as well. Like your friend, I also have a backgroung in ECE.

Once everything had come to light, I found out that both of my sisters had concerns the same as yours, and, like you, have even posted a message on an autism message board, a full year before the diagnosis. But, they did not talk to me. Personally, I wish they had. Maybe it would have been enough to shake me out of my denial. I also thought that a lot of his behaviours were just phases. Now that my daughter, who is NT is turning 1 (today is here birthday), the differences are astounding. They are at the same level, socially.

I say, talk to her. She probably wont want to hear it. But maybe, just maybe, it will stick in the back of her mind and she'll start to notice the differences. The first time that someone actually said something to me, about Liam, I couldn't stop talking for the next 2 hours about all of the things I saw and denied.Sometimes it just needs to be said, even if it hurts.

I know that others may disagree with me, and that's okay. Everyone has a different experience. But, I truly believe that if either of my sisters had approached me with their thoughts, we may have gotten him services a full year earlier.

Bless you for being so caring and I hope that all goes well for you. I hope that your friends child is just going through a phase. Sometimes it's great to be proven wrong.

Suzy

nowhere-child · 05-26-2006, 07:34 AM

Suzy,
Thank you very much. I think I may do eactly what you suggested, as soon as I can get up the nerve. I also neglected to mention that this child recently fell on his arm, and displayed no apparent pain. It was a bit swollen, but otherwise he seemed fine. They did take him to the doctor the next day when the swelling got worse, and he had a fully broken arm. NO PAIN EXPRESSED by the child. She has often remarked that he has no fear whatsoever.

I'm trying to write up a script if you will, to talk to her. I think she may be very, very offended. But as you said, maybe it will just put a bug in her ear about it.

9CatMom · 05-26-2006, 08:16 AM

Inability to feel pain is also a serious sign. In some people, this is so extreme that it can put a person's life in danger. They won't feel it if their appendix burst, they got severely burned, etc. That is scary.