Need some insight.

[SoVeryBlessed]

I know there are some other threads about Autism, but I kind of wanted some opinions about my son. He will be 3 at the end of this month and has just barely started saying things. Its more trying to repeat what others say and not flat out talking.

When he was little he used to always rock himself back in forth in his crib. He never liked anyone putting him to sleep, he always had to rock. When he woke up he would rock back and forth on his hands and knees (crawling position) He was a late crawler and walker. Basically did everything late.

Now he has a fetish with things that spin. Its not just a like but an obsession almost. We were at the store and I had to buy some light bulbs and they were underneath the ceiling fans and he got exited and as soon as I started to move away, he threw a huge fit and when I went back towards them, he'd stop and get exited. Same as if he sees anything that spins.

He never spoke a word, not even the normal mom and dad and when he did start saying mama, he never associated it with me. It was just a sound I guess. He understands certain things now like bath, bye bye, get your shoes, nummies, but just the smallest things.

Is this normal? I tried to research autism, but wasn't sure if these qualified for signs or if it is normal?? I tried taking him to the doctor, but he said I'd have to take him to get tested at whatever school he were to go to?? Doesn't seem right to me. He's very healthy otherwise. Not all too difficult, but its hard sometimes when he cries when he doesn't get his way. We don't spoil him and get after him like we do the others. We don't give him what he wants, so I don't think he is spoiled. Is this normal? He is my 5th kid and they never acted like this.

[MidnightCry]

SoVeryBlessed,

I would definitely research autism about your concerns. They don't sound "normal" to me, (but what IS normal with children)? They also don't sound obviously abnormal.

I actually spoke to our pediatrician the other day about my 4-year old about this and she basically said that the primary "symptom" of autism is the inability to attach to people. In other words, an autistic child will see people the same as a dog, tree, table, etc. That's definitely not the case with our child, but she still does weird things . . .

If, after researching, you're still concerned, I would maybe find a pediatrician who's more sympathetic to your concerns. Ours suggested having her evaluated by a pediatric neurologist.

Here's just one of MANY good websites:
http://www.autism-pdd.net/checklist.html

[Theresa]

In my opinion, you should find a new doctor if possible. The school is not the place to have your child tested for autism!! You need someone trained to do that - a neurologist, psychiatrist, etc.

I agree that he seems to exhibit some behaviors that are not "normal." Does he look you in the eye? Does he communicate with you and others (I know he doesn't talk, but does he communicate and interact?). If he does neither, there is a good chance he is autistic. I am no expert, and I really think you should see one, if at all possible. If your son does have autism, the earlier you find out, the better. They do much better in regimented, predictable routines. Some also have some dietary problems - for instance, my nephew craves carbs (he will eat only bread) which causes leaky-gut symptoms in some - his mother refuses to try restricting his diet (some autistic kids are helped immensely by restricting their diets).

ANYWAY - I'd make an appointment for someone qualified to evaluate your son. Good luck - I'm praying that he is just one of those children who are slower to develop than others.

[lisaann]

You might find this Cd by Dianne Craft interesting:
http://stores.diannecraft.org/Detail.bok?no=2

Here are a couple of articles by her that you might be interested in as well:
http://diannecraft.com/article-001.htm

http://diannecraft.com/article-008.htm

http://diannecraft.com/articles.htm

[CircleSlide]

In my opinion, you should find a new doctor if possible. The school is not the place to have your child tested for autism!! You need someone trained to do that - a neurologist, psychiatrist, etc.


:hugI couldn't agree more! Please don't wait until school to get this figured out. If it is autism then the earlier the diagnosis the better.

What your describing sounds very suspect but I would certainly get him to a neurologist or psychiatrist and have some testing done.

My son is autistic (now 12) and has improved to such a degree that you probably wouldn't know he was unless I told you. Now he still has problems but he is so much more "normal".

Please feel free to pm if you have any questions.
God Bless!

[antsinmypants]

Honey, I'd get him tested. I swear that sounds classic.

My brother is asperger's spectrum disorder, and I know my DH is from different things he does. If he gets overwhelmed, he goes off in his own world. . . he gets overwhelmed if you plan things in the longterm in great detail (not joking), but is able to do anything computer related for hours and hours at a time and in great detail... if he is overwhelmed and unable to sleep, he rocks himself to sleep...
If he doesn't like conversation that is going on, he phases it out and does his own thing... he has to have things in "just so" order if he goes to cook... or clean the house.. and he takes his time and does it meticulously.. and at times he will just turn away and will be in his own world and you can take a long time to get his attention again..

I'm a little ADD myself and I am used to my brother's behavior, and a cousin of mine acts a lot like that as well; so it doesn't bother me. I just really am watching our little one and will be delaying vaccines and stretching them out (MMR, DPaT and such) and watching what I eat in conjunction with them so we can try to keep this kind of behavior at bay.

Definitely do get him checked, because this sounds sooooo classic to me.

[FaithContender]

When he was little he used to always rock himself back in forth in his crib. He never liked anyone putting him to sleep, he always had to rock. When he woke up he would rock back and forth on his hands and knees (crawling position) He was a late crawler and walker. Basically did everything late.


The rocking thing is normal in toddlers. My son does it...I was just reading in What to Expect in the Toddler Years that is is totally normal at that age. The other stuff you mentioned is not, though. I'd find a new Ped.

[SoVeryBlessed]

He isn't that interactive with people, but only to a degree. He plays more by himself than with me or the other kids. He runs after my daughter sometimes, but most of the time if they are near each other he starts to fight and starts throwing a fit type. Outside on the playground he just wanders around by himself also. He gets exited when he sees other kids, but is mostly just by himself. He'll come lately and get up and sit on my lap to where as before he never wanted to, he just wanted to do his own thing.

Autism has crossed my mind several times before, but I also struggle with being a little pessimistic and a worrier that I thought maybe it was just me worrying. Its a very bad habit I've been trying to break.

Also since someone mentioned food. He was really late on eating solids. When he was little he refused and I mean refused to eat anything other than formula and bananas. I tried and tired to give him other foods, but he would not eat them no matter what I tried. It had to be formula and bananas.

He is still a picky eater and I have brought it up with the doctors and they all just say the same thing. He's healthy and its normal for kids to be picky. But it just doesn't feel right. I know kids are picky, but I guess all my other kids were eating anything and everything when they were babies.

We just moved to this area. My husband is in the Navy and we moved 3 times since 2006. Thnx for all the information too!!! I am definitely gonna look into getting him in to see a specialist so I can find out about what's going on and how to help him whatever it might be whether it is autism or not.

I appreciate all the feedback!!! Thanks a bunch!

[BeNotAfraid]

I am going through this with my 2 yr old son right now (and my 4 y/o daughter). Is your son improving as he gets older? I think mine is just a late bloomer, but the big warning sign is losing previously acquired skills. I agree with the others, though. It does sound classic. Are you tricare prime/standard/or remote? Parents can go through the school to get a diagnosis if their older children have never been diagnosed. But that is waiting way too late. If you asked your doctor, he should be handling this.

We're prime remote right now and our ped referred us to a pediatric neurologist. The neurologist checks them out and refers them for other tests. Depending on where you are, check out the teaching hospitals for free help. They usually have lots of programs to evaluate and treat your child. Some are free, some you pay for, and some pay you. You can also call your county's early intervention to have your child evaluated and for treatment if you don't get anywhere with your doctor.

It sounds like you have base doctors and in my experience they are just awful. Tell them you will not go away until you get a referral for your child to a pediatric neurologist. Pitch a fit, have your husband's CO get involved if you have to. Whether he has autism or not, early intervention is the key. Don't let them blow you off.

Also, check www.autismspeaks.org. They have all kinds of info and you can also read the message boards which are very helpful. But be careful. Most "neurotypical" kids have many of the "symptoms" on those autism checklists but they're just fine. Don't get too discouraged.

How does he play with his toys? Does he line them up? Does he have issues with textures or is he sensitive to touch/loud noises/loud sounds? My son does the rocking thing too, only he bangs his head while he does it. He also lays on the floor and rocks when he is overstimulated. These are classic autism signs, but the ped and I are pretty confident that he is fine. He hasn't seen the neurologist yet, though. My daughter also has some of the spectrum qualities but the neurologist determined that she is not autistic either.

[chel0524]

Maybe not autistic, but maybe Aspergers? Usually, though, you have the lack of speech development with autism and advanced speech with aspergers. My oldest DD now 10, has aspergers. I always knew she was different from other kids, even though she was our first one and I'd not been around other babies. A mother knows when something is amiss.

My DD is a very picky eater. She seems to go through phases of things she will eat. Right now it homemade vegetable soup. Previously it was baked potatoes. She will eat other things, but prefers the item of the moment. She would eat the same thing 3 times a day, every day if I let her.

She is not a very sociable person. Everyone at school likes her, but she prefers to play alone so that she can do things her way. She also interacts better with grownups than kids. She speaks very advanced for her age, always has. But, that's a typical Aspie condition.

She has very poor gross motor skills. Her emotional response is also different than what one would expect at times. She also, as a baby, was very easily overstimulated by clothing and sounds and crowds. Sometimes I would change her clothes 3 times before we could leave the house.

I agree with the others that you need to get your son tested now. Speech therapy can do wonderful things, especially if started now.