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December 2011 Moms
Ricola
member
Alex's 18 month check up
Ricola
member
We had our 18 month appointment on Wednesday and the pedi saw "red flags" for autism and wants us to get an evaluation done. He said the red flags are that Alex didn't gain any new words since his last appointment at 15 months (he says 3-5 words, pedi said he should say 25+ words and 2-word phrases by now), he doesn't point at things and that he's socially "awkward" (he is very shy and takes about 5-10 minutes to warm up to new people; he doesn't play with other kids, just along with them). I don't think we'll get the evaluation done just yet and wait until he's 2.
Alex will start a MDO program in September and I am pretty sure that the social awkwardness will go away by then. We don't have any family in town and do about 1-2 playdates a week, so he is just not used to being close to other people besides DH and me. I also think he will start to say more words soon, since he is babbling and trying out new sounds lately.
I still think he's fine and haven't been worried until today. Now I am thinking "what if something is wrong after all?". But autism usually doesn't get diagnosed until 2 or 3 years anyway, so I don't think waiting another 6 months will hurt him.
We will see a new pedi for his 2 year check up (had planned that all along) and if she also sees red flags, we'll get the evaluation done.
He weighs 22 lbs 3 oz now (23%) and is 30 3/4 inches long (6%). :-)
DS born 12/2011
DD born 03/2014
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Alex's 18 month check up
DS's daycare has shared some similar concerns that we'll be discussing at his 18 mo appointment with the pedi as well. I guess I'm on the other end and would prefer any evaluation or intervention that's needed ASAP as research is showing the earlier detection and intervention start the better the outcome. However, I'm sort of with you that I'm concerned if the pedi wants us to do all if this stuff and the DS "catches up" the next month was all the worry and effort worth it?
Guess we'll just see what she says. Ours is more an issue that he's pretty on target at home but acts completely different at daycare to where he barely communicates at all there. Who knows...these kids need to come with instruction manuals.
Hope Alex has a big word explosion soon!
Turns out he was fine. His speech was unclear but he could communicate what he wanted and needed fine. His speech is still unclear and he will start speech therapy in a preschool program in the fall, but he is getting better every day. I am glad I had it checked but I think drs are a little to quick sometimes to throw out the autism inference. I know they just want to do a good job, but every child is different and each one of them have different quirks. The autism spectrum is so broad and there are so many normal signs that could point to it, that I feel like it's just thrown out there too much. The pedi sees your child once every few months. You are with him everyday. If he doesn't have a chance to be around kids, of course he isn't going to know how to play. My two have each other but they aren't in daycare and still don't know how to behave with other children. I don't think that makes them autistic, simply uneducated in that particular skill.
Do what you feel is right and don't worry yourself to death. Hugs to you! I know this is a nerve wracking time!
Socially awkward? Lol that seems pretty silly!
Hoping the best for you guys!
I would try not to worry. C doesn't say anywhere near 25 words yet, and neither do her cousins who were also born in December 2011. As everyone said, babies develop at their own rate. Like you said, I've noticed C is making new babbling sounds lately, so I know that new words are coming soon. And as far as playing "together," C started MDO this week, and I've been watching her class from a distance, and none of them actually play together. They all play next to each other, but there's rarely any interaction.
I think your plan to see a new pedi at 2 years is a great idea. If I was really worried about it, I might even schedule an 18 month appointment with another doctor just for peace of mind. In my experience, some doctors are more eager than others to see issues that aren't really there.
Thank you all for your feedback!
I have been reading up on high functioning autism these last few days and really don't think Alex has it. He might have delayed speech development, but I still think that being raised English and German speaking has something to do with that.
We'll see what the new Dr. says in December and take it from there. :-)
My son is not saying much either at this point. He says about 6-7 words clearly. He is starting to mimic me a lot more with sounds and follows instructions pretty well but not a lot of words. It makes me nervous because it does seem like a lot of other children are ahead. He starts daycare in August so I'm hoping it helps just like you hope the MDO helps.
Thank you all for your kind words!
We will wait and see how he is doing in December, We have a busy summer ahead of us (vacation in Germany, then Port Aransas, DS starting MDO etc.), so I don't think we need to throw in tests and therapy just yet.
You all have helped to ease my mind, so thank you!