Im worried about my 3 year old son. - Autism Spectrum Message Board

daninz · 01-31-2008, 02:55 AM

He turned 3 a few weeks ago, and I will admit, up until then, I wasnt too concerned about his lack of speech etc, but since turning 3 I have come to realise just how many things he does do, that dont seem "normal" I have 5 children, and they are all different in so many wonderful ways, so I understand that there really isnt any such thing as normal, but some of my sons behaviour is just plain odd.

A bit of history, My husband (to my 3 youngest children) had a social phobia, and anxiety when I met him, hes come out of his shell over the past 7 years Ive known him, but is still very quiet, but no longer on medication.

My son in Questions older sister (to my husband) had epilepsy, and was medicated, she was diagnosed with selective mutism (could speak, but refused to speak to certain people) and a behavioural/controlling disorder. She was weaned off her meidcaion around the time she had help for these problems and started school with no problems at all (we will never know if it was the medication or the help she recieved - but now we have a happy talkative 6 year old we are not complaining)

Now to my 3 yr old son. HMM where to start.
He was born competely average. when he was two he had an MRI for an unclosed fontanelle, which showed all was fine. his fontanelle has just fused over the past few months (can still feel it so not quite fused completely but only a finger tip big)

He can only say 5 words at 3 years.
Does not look at you when you say his name
Cannot point to any parts of his body etc when asked (yet does know where they are)
Has huge tantrums (most probably because he can not communicate)
He headbutts people. not to hurt them, but as some sort of weird game, mostly peoples arms but sometimes their legs (and "humps" or hugs peoples legs)
He is obsessed with feet, he will hug and rub peoples feet over his face. he has started to do this alot over the past few months. to the point where he will take peoples shoes off to rub and hug their feet

Even though he cannot speak much, he can use a computer, DVD player, Video player etc himeself (since he was 2) he does most things himself over asking for help (obviously since he wont talk) he will try and make his own toast, put pots on the oven and try and turn them on, will pour his own drinks etc.
but wont ask for help with anything.

one other thing Ive noticed, is that he cannot be bribed or punished. HE JUST DOESNT CARE. no punishment we give him phases him, if we put him in his room for time out, he will just stand there and wait until you let him out again. we pathetically tried to toilet train him a few months ago (hes soooo not ready) and he didnt care about any reward.

Im not so sure he has Autism (his older sister had more signs than him yet didnt have it) but I dont know what else it could be.
ITs hard to explain, but I just feel like something isnt right. but I dont know what to do. I have asked for him to be referred to the paeditrition he saw back for his MRI again, but that could take ages...

anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Dani

anprdp · 01-31-2008, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daninz

He can only say 5 words at 3 years.
Does not look at you when you say his name
Cannot point to any parts of his body etc when asked (yet does know where they are)
Has huge tantrums (most probably because he can not communicate)
He headbutts people. not to hurt them, but as some sort of weird game, mostly peoples arms but sometimes their legs (and "humps" or hugs peoples legs)
He is obsessed with feet, he will hug and rub peoples feet over his face. he has started to do this alot over the past few months. to the point where he will take peoples shoes off to rub and hug their feet

From the problems listed above that sounds like at the very least he needs to be evaluated for autism. I cannot recommend what actions you should take as you live outside of the US and most of us will only be familiar with their local governments and the services offered by them.

Jacob was not even babbling at age 2. He would not point to objects at all. He hand flapped and walked on his tip toes. Although, he did always make eye contact. He has high functioning autism. They enrolled him into Early Intervention at 2 and a few months which didn't make leaps and bounds of progress. At 3, he entered the public school system and he has come so far from that its a miracle. He can make small sentences, communicates alot (although sometimes its hard to understand him still). At 4 (almost 5), he can write and can read a little. He can spell too. I would suggest checking into your local area for programs like these. They make a world of difference in the child and the longer you go and the older they get, the harder to change the patterns as they are more easily moldable at younger ages. Best of luck.

golfhat · 01-31-2008, 09:11 AM

Early Intervention paid for by state or county is probably not available now that he is three. But take him to a private OT and have him evaluated.

Aside from autism, or Sensory Integration Disorder, there could be a hearing processing problem. It is called APD I think.

Think about it. If he cannot understand what is being said, he cannot respond properly. This could cause all kinds of odd behavior.

daninz · 01-31-2008, 01:19 PM

Thanks guys, he had his hearing checked many times (including a specalist), and there doesnt appear to be any problems.

New Zealand is strange, they wont do much on children before a certain age, so he will still be eligible for help, but the waiting list is long, he saw a speech therapist just before christmas and will continue to this year (the said he has significant speech delay) When he was seen for the slow fusing fontanelle they did some little "tests" on him, he is good motor skills wise, and could do things above his age, but when it came to vocallasing and doing things when asked he just sat there.
I will ring around places today and see what I can do. thanks for the replies

DannysMum · 02-01-2008, 01:50 PM

Go for it. Push, ask questions, try to see people.
I know mainstream kids with more 'autistic behaviours' than my child, but he was definately autistic, although every one kept saying 'oh,he'll be fine, don't worry'. You've got doubts, follow them up.
Good luck. Your child is lucky to have such caring parents.