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Early signs of Autism?

ByeBabyBuntingByeBabyBunting member
in Special Needs

Hi. I know I am probably overreacting but I'm upset and I'm hoping for some support/insight.

My LO has about 11 words and will be 20 months on Friday. He also is not very ... loving? Clingy? He is very independent and basically only comes to us for comfort when he hurts himself, and even then not always. He isn't interested in the other kids in his class, and he doesn't react to my or DH's moods or the moods of others. He also doesn't usually respond to his name.

He does point, he smiles (although not a lot), he loves the cat and dogs and follows them around. he points to things he wants and he doesn't have any of the obsessive behaviors that I found listed on some of the autism sights.

this week we are carefully counting words and then I am checking in with the pedi tomorrow morning with a total. If they don't like what I tell them we'll have a hearing test, then we'll talk about EI.

I don't want to believe there is a problem, but in the back of my mind ... and I can't help but think that if there is a problem it is probably my fault.

I know you can't diagnose my kid, but I would love to know what you think. TIA


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Re: Early signs of Autism?

  • Assembly_ReqdAssembly_Reqd member

    I am sure others will chime in to your specific question, but I would also like to direct you to an FAQ we did on this topic a few weeks ago...Big Smile

    https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/66028432.aspx

    .......

    WAY 2 Cool 4 School


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  • JcrabJcrab
    Whether not there is a problem it very likely is not your fault. Try not to worry about fault / guilt, mom's are our own worst critics. It doesn't hurt to call EI now and start the process. It sucks to hear that your child qualifies for extra services but is so rewarding when you get to see them start to work. One day at a time and stick with this board. There are so many kind and wise Moms here. Hugs and good luck!
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  • ByeBabyBuntingByeBabyBunting member

    Thank you! that thread is very helpful .. there are also a few things mentioned that make me more nervous :(

    I forgot to mention that it was daycare who brought it up that he might need a EI. The adore him, but they are worried about his lack of communication.


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  • ridesbuttonsridesbuttons member

    Both my kids had zero to five words at 20 months.

    I was hyperaware and concerned about DS2 at that age.  He hit some of the MCHAT questions (eye contact, ignoring name, pointing) and had exactly zero words.

    Over the last 2 years his speech has gone from no expressive to measuring in the normal range for his age, the eye contact/ignoring name/pointing concerns have resolved. 

    I've had him in speech therapy, working with a case worker (in Canada), doctor's visits, psychologist evaluations, etc.  No ASD.  Likely childhood apraxia of speech.  I've often wondered how much of his 'worrisome' behaviours were driven my his apraxia. 

    You sound like you are doing the right things.  Try not to worry too much* and address the measurable areas of concerns with available therapies.  Speech therapy has been a wonderful resource for both my kids and I've learned so much as well.  I'm considering training for a second career it has affected me that much.

    *ETA: I'm not trying to belittle your concerns at all.  I mean to not worry to the point of anxiety, don't let the worry take over the rational action. 

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  • meghans30meghans30 member

    There could be a problem, but try to wait to jump to conclusions before you have the prper people evaluate. I know much easier said then done.

    My son had very few words until 3.5. We went through EI, private speech and OT and finally the public school. We were told there was no way he was on the autism spectrum, but yet here we are at age 7 newly dx with PDD- NOS and ADHD.

    Take comfory=t in knowing you are not alone and you are not the cause of an issue- if there even is an issue. Good luck/ 

     

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  • kcisthebombdotcomkcisthebombdotcom member

    That sounds a lot like my son at 20 months. He had 8 words, super independent and always wanted to do his own thing, minimally responsive to his name, pointed to communicate. He doesn't have autism but was diagnosed with apraxia of speech and sensory modulation issues.

    Fast forward 10 months and he has hundreds of words and 4 word sentences. He still struggles with articulation because of the apraxia but he is a million miles away where he was back then. We started him in daycare and now he's a social butterfly and never.stops.talking. lol.

    You're on the right path in getting into EI. It will make a big difference.

    GL

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  • NiniJ55NiniJ55 member

    I would say to have him evaluated.  DS also had very few words at 20 months, did not point or gesture, he is very independent, over affectionate, poor eye contact and does not respond to his name.  He is actually quiete social in small groups.  My son was dx with PDD NOS in Feberuary of this year. 

    My old pedi kept telling us not to worry -- that his speach would catch up.  At that point his speech was my only concern.  ASD was no where in my mind.  When we changed pediatricians (for other reasons) she sent us in for an evauation upon my request and they dx him on the spot. I was thrown, to say the least.. but happy I pushed for the eval.

    Always follow your gut. 

    Also regarding the obsessive behaviors you found on the autism site....  to have ASD you don't need to have every single one of the symptoms.  Have him evaluated by a professional.  and IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.. Good luck

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  • Reilly626Reilly626 member
    There is a test you do when they were babies- you lay him on the floor and pull his arms- if his head follows through its not autism if it doesn't it's a sign of autism. 
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  • ToastieSimonsToastieSimons member
    image-auntie-:

    imageReilly626:
    There is a test you do when they were babies- you lay him on the floor and pull his arms- if his head follows through its not autism if it doesn't it's a sign of autism. 

    Who told you this one?

    None of the professionals we've ever dealt with mentioned this as a red flag. FWIW, I distinctly recall my son doing this on the early side of average because he always had remarkable head/neck control.

    this was recently on the news.  however, it was addressing head lag after 6 mo of age.  they noted that a high percentage of kids with asd still had a head loag at 6 months.  probably due to mild hypotonia.  It also went on to say that a present head lag at 6 mo is also indicative of many other developmental delays.  it wasn't a definitive head lag=asd.  

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  • Adam2010Adam2010 member
    Hi there,I am a special education teacher and first off, I would just like to say please  do not feel guilty in any way!!!! Feel happy and proud that you are actually being proactive about your child and that you are observant of your child's speech and behavior. Honestly, I think it is great that you get him evaluated, but I do not think your child has autism just from the facts you said alone. All children have different personalities so I would not worry about your son's independent style. As for the speech, he might need to have speech therapy for a few years and I have seen many students that I work with ( I work with preschoolers) who have been de-classified and have not needed services past 5 or 6 years of age. It helps so much for parents to seek help when children are younger because they catch on quicker and learn faster. Sorry I went on a little rant here. Just wanted to offer some words of encouragement. Best of luck to you and your family!
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  • ByeBabyBuntingByeBabyBunting member

    thank you all SO MUCH for the support - it really means a lot.

    I spoke with the pedi this morning and he did recommend that we go ahead and get the EI eval. I called and we should have an appointment within the next 7 - 10 days.

    But in good news - we went to the local MSPCA farm this morning and he said "chicken" all on his own without being prompted! Our neighbors have chickens so he has heard the word a thousand times, but this is the first time he has said it :)

    thanks again and I'll let you know how it works out


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  • Kpellow8690Kpellow8690
    My son was diagnosed with autism at 14 months. He is now 19 months and still has zero words, no receptive language at all and does not point, clap, wave or follow any commands. He will not let anyone touch him but me or my husband and makes very limited eye contact and does not acknowledge other people. I would talk to your pediatrician if you are worried but he sounds very normal. all kids will move at their own pace and as long as you are seeing him improve i wouldn't worry.
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