Early signs of autism.

Lolapop29 · August 2014

My son just had his 15 month appointment, and it didn't go well. I had noticed he was behind in his speech but I kept telling myself every kid develops different and brushed it off. His pediatrician wasn't concerned about the no words, until we told her we don't think he understand anything either. He doesn't respond to his name, he doesn't point to things when he wants them, if you ask him where his favorite toy is he ignores you, he doesn't respond to any verbal commands or questions at all. When I told her this I could tell on her face she was worried. She is sending us to an Audiologist to have his hearing checked to rule that out (She doesn't think it's his hearing, but has to have it checked first) and if he hasn't shown progress at his next appointment we will talk about it then.

When we left the office autism wasn't on my mind, I thought we haven't been playing enough word games with him or something. She told us some exercises to do with him, and we've been doing them a lot.

I shouldn't have googled, I shouldn't have taken the online early signs of autism test, but I did and it said he was high risk and now I'm in tears and freaking out. I don't know what to do. Should I call his pedi right away and tell her I'm really worried? should I wait till the audiologist sees him? Should I insist on speech therapy now instead of waiting till 18 months?

I don't know what I should be doing. Part of me thinks it's just way to early to be freaking out about this, and part of me thinks I need to get on top of it right away.

BluepointToasted · August 2014

First off, big hugs to you. I know this is super stressful. I would take a deep breath, look at your child, and keep in mind he is the same little boy he was before you started reading.
Do your audiologist appt, and if you don't get any answes there I would absolutely call the pedi back and ask for another appppintment to see about a developmental pediatric referral. They can take awhile, depending on where you live.

katlizabeth · August 2014

I'm sorry you're going through this-being stressed about your child and not knowing what to do is no fun. When is the audiologist appointment? You can always call EI and ask for an assessment if you'd like-I'm fairly certain you don't need a doctor's referral. I don't know what other advice offer, just hugs to you.

BluepointToasted · August 2014

Yeah, you shouldn't need a doctors referral for an early intervention evaluation

vandelay · August 2014

BluepointToasted said:
First off, big hugs to you. I know this is super stressful. I would take a deep breath, look at your child, and keep in mind he is the same little boy he was before you started reading.
Do your audiologist appt, and if you don't get any answes there I would absolutely call the pedi back and ask for another appppintment to see about a developmental pediatric referral. They can take awhile, depending on where you live.

I agree with this. It's probably too early to panic, especially before you've seen the audiologist, but it couldn't hurt to start working on getting the developmental ped appt if it might take a while. Big hugs to you, and I'm sorry you're going through this.

MrsT0514 · August 2014

It doesnt hurt to give your local Early Intervention office a call for an eval either. Its free of charge, you dont need a referral and they'll come right to your home. Honestly, they'll play with your child for an hour amd then gove you the results as to whether or not he qualifies for services (PT, OT, Speech, etc).

Also, just bc your child may have a delay in an area, ot doesnt automatically mean Autism. So try your best not to google things bc it will only make you crazy. Best of luck with the audiologist. If you dont get any answers there, I would definitely give EI a call. It cant hurt. Either he qualifies for some extra help or your get peace of mind. Its a win-win, IMO.

Lolapop29 · August 2014

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm for sure keeping the audiologist appt, I just really don't think that's it. We are military and live near a large Army hospital so they have all the audiologist and speech therapy there and it's easy for me to get a referral for those.

I'm going to try to take a deep breath and just keep working on his word object association with him. I know worrying isn't helping either of us.

I don't have the audiologist appointment scheduled yet cause the referral hadn't gone through. I'm suppose to call tomorrow to make it.

Lolapop29 · August 2014

bunnyfungo Thank you for sharing, that really helped calm me down a little.

angelashly · August 2014

You have gotten great advice so I'll just give out ((hugs))

azzyberry · August 2014

katnhiding said:
If the hearing test comes back okay I think you should request a referral for developmental testing as soon as possible. You might be able to start some interventions even at such a young age. Early interventions can make a HUGE difference and the earlier the better IMO.

I agree with this.

My DS who is turning 6 in a few weeks has ASD.

He was diagnosed at 19 months old and started services right when he turned 2.

At 15 months old he was referred to an audiologist for lack of speech )both expressive and receptive). However, there were other concerns such as not pointing, not responding to his name, didn't wave, etc. His hearing was fine so then we were referred to speech who then referred us to a developmental specialist for autism eval.

My DS is doing amazing and will be mainstreamed this year in first grade (with an aid) because he is doing so well. Most people would never even guess he has ASD and I have no doubt that was due to getting him early diagnosis and early intervention.

Lolapop29 · August 2014

-auntie- I didn't quote to cause it was so long. It was this test

https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/diagnosis/mchat which did make me select an age. although I know that an online test is never going to tell me if my son has autism. The results were High risk.

We have a speech therapist I can go to through my insurance. I actually go to a speech therapist myself because I have vocal cord paralysis.

I have been talking to my husband, we have both been a mess for days now. We are taking it one step a time.

Thanks everyone for all your in put, it's been very helpful.

marchbaby · August 2014

Try not to worry too much, although I know thats easier said then done. Regardless of the outcome you will love your little boy the same.

My youngest son had a severe speech delay. We finally ended up getting him tubes b/c of numerous ear infections and the doctor who did the surgery mentioned that he had so much fluid he was surprised he could hear. My son never reacted when we walked by, or called his name, or when something made a noise. The night of the surgery he was suddenly reacting to things and looking up when we walked by etc. I had thought he was just really involved with whatever he was playing with and in reality he couldn't hear us. He had a word explosion in the weeks following his surgery. He was put in Early Intervention and at 7 years old is still in speech therapy.

flyingsaucer · August 2014

Big hugs to you. I would call EI and start the referral process. Think of the evaluations as just a way to gather information. the goal is to treat the symptoms. Try not to worry about diagnosis, your child is still very young. Just begin by treating the symptoms. If language is a concern, focus on just addressing that. One day at a time, one concern at a a time . I truly wish you guys all the best

bensmommy518 · August 2014

First big hugs and just breathe. I know how scary this time can be while you are waiting for answers and thinking the worst. Limit your time on Google - it will make you crazy. Go to the audiologist appointment and find out what his hearing is really like. In the meantime call EI and start the process of setting up an evaluation. Like PP said its free and it will be done in your home so you have absolutely nothing to loose. At your 18 month appointment when the doctor screens for autism list all your concerns. In the meantime be writing those concerns down as you think of them/experience them so you dont forget to bring something up. IF he is on the spectrum, early detection and services is the best so advocate, advocate, advocate. They may not diagnose right away but that's not the most important thing - the most important thing is to identify any deficits he has currently and get him into whatever services are available for those deficits today. As people have mentioned autism comes in all shapes and sizes so what he may need could be completely different than what someone else needs. Treat the needs not the diagnosis.

RondackHiker · August 2014

Big hugs to you. I don't have any experience or advice other than staying away from Dr. google.

muffyvonmuff · August 2014

It took DHs parents till he was 2.5 to to finally have his hearing checked to figure out why he never talked or responded to anything. It turns out he had a small tube issue and once it was fixed he could hear and eventually speak perfectly fine. As an adult he has no issues. So It really could just be his hearing. Hugs.

acesup · August 2014

I don't really have anything to add to what PPs have said, just wanted to offer (((hugs)))

chevronseven · August 2014

If it makes you feel better, I have a friend whose son was diagnosed with mild to moderate autism and they think it was a misdiagnosis. He no longer has social or sensory issues, just the kind of problems you're describing which they are thinking is just a language delay.

Either way, like pp said, he's the same child he was before. He may have some extra challenges to overcome, but he can still live a full and happy life regardless of his diagnosis.

3JTMom · August 2014

Hugs to you my friend. The PPs really have good advice. Take a deep breath, relax...love on your LO. Wait till the appt. and you are in my prayers!

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