Concerned About Autism

I know that some moms are going to suggest "early intervention" (the new buzz word), but if those are his only idiosincrasies I would wait and see. It might just be fun to flap his hands and get dizzy.

Hi L.,
I am the mother of a 4 year old with Autism. Unfortunately, since Autism is a spectrum disorder the early signs vary widely. Please call the early Intervention office in
New Jersey www.njeis.org

If you have any concerns with it, try asking you pediatrician. They do start Autism screening at 18 months and and a bill was also just passed that insurance must pay for the screening. Depending upon what town you are in, check in with their birth to 3 program. Hand flapping and spinning aren't always there in some cases, but if you have a concern, get it checked out. There are some resources online where you can answer some quick questions or such but don't make that the only thing you do. My son did spinning at 11 months but the flapping didn't happen until he was a bit older than 2 years - every kid is different in their development and such, so do it, some don't. When in doubt, check it out! Good Luck!

Hi L..
I don't mean to scare you, but
I recommend you to get evaluate your son.
If professionals say there is nothing wrong with your son,
you don't have to worry about it any more.
If they say that your son needs therapy, it's the
best time to start since your son is 18 month old.
It takes about 2monthes to process it to start.

Evaluation cost you nothing. Ask your pediatrician.
Some agencies take too long to get back to you.
You just have to be on top of everything.
Sooner is better.

In New York City, Early intervention services ends when kids turn 3. Until 3, it's little easier to get sufficient therapy compare to kids turn after 3 years old.

A lot of parents don't know about this, and some parents whose kids ended up needing therapy, could reglet.

If I scare you, I'm sorry. But it's good time to move.

L., I'm a mom and speech therapist with the Birth to Three system in CT and I think it would be worth looking into an Early Intervention evaluation for your son. Some of the things he is doing are a little concerning, some are encouraging, but until a proffesional looks at all areas of his development, it's impossible to say for sure how he's doing. I often find that pediatricians and friends mean well in say 'oh, he's fine, don't worry!' or 'Well let's wait a little longer and see how he's doing.' Honestly, if there is something going on, the earlier you find out and provide therapy, the better. And if not, then at least you knew you used all the resources at hand. Early Intervention is only available until the child's 3rd birthday and can provide speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and/or teachers to come to your home at a much cheaper cost than private therapy. The evaluation is free. I'm not sure about NJ, but in CT we are required to do a screening for Autism, too. The # I found online is ###-###-####. Take care and please write me with any questions at all.

Hi L.,

I would ask were his vaccination shots doubled up on?
After getting vaccinated did he cry all night, get a high fever and cry really, really high pitch sound?
Did the next day, he seem really out of it and feverish?
This could have happened months before and you may not have noticed the signs of nerve damage that is the end result causing different stages and levels of autism.

At 18months you watch and wait, because by the time he is two years old you will know for sure. That is six months away - big, big developmental growth spurts happen at that stage.

That's the age and stage that seperates healthy born babies and the timeline when they become autistic. When you know for sure and if you catch it now you drop in early, (early prevention- catch phases), some people succeded in getting their kids back with minor nerve damage that they out grow and uncomfortable social skills.

You are waiting to see if it happens and how and when to jump in. There is no solution. And I don't trust the drug companies so call experiments. There is no solution that I can name.

Is this your first child? I ask this because I am always on alert for autism too! Our nephew has autism and he does flap and tiptoe walk but it is like a nervous tic. He just does it while walking around for no real reason. Is your son obsessed with fans? I really would not be concerned. The only part that sounds a little off is that he doesn't point to anything. Other than that, he sounds normal. The main warning signs are lack of eye contact, lack of interest in others and social interaction, and almost obsessive interest in mechanical things. This does not include turning on electronics several times a day or wanting your cell phone. I think all toddlers do that!

L.: My son was 18 months with no speech and my pediatrian recommended that we take him for a hearing test the test did prove to be negative but after speaking to the doctor she did recommend that he be evaluated for speech service thru the State which he did qualify for and is still receiving service.

My son also did the spinning he is a very active child. If you are concerned you should have him evaluated but don't jump to conclusions allow the Dr's to do what they are good at and provide your son with what ever assistance he may need.

My son will be turning 3 in Sept. and is speaking more that I ever imagined. He still has some artuclation problems but he is coming along.

Good Luck

Autism documentary:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6351515212287981735

It doesn't sound too bad to me now but be sure to do your research well before vaccinating again. We could have saved ourselves many years of misery by knowing this information sooner.

Hi There,
I have an 18 month old son as well, and he does some of the same things. He loves to spin and has loved to look at our ceiling fans for several months now. He also speaks very little (only says "mah" for more, dada, eyes and yes). However, I am an Occupational Therapist who has worked extensively with young children on the autism spectrum, and know that a child has to fid a lot of criteria to be classified as Autistic. My son is very social, points at objects or when he wants something, responds to simple directions, has no significant sensory issues (other than being very active!), eats a variety of foods, doesn't get upset by transitions etc, etc,. Also, although I am slightly worried about a speech delay, he just had ear tubes in last week due to chronic ear infections and fluid in his ears. I am optimistic that his speech may improve secondary to this intervention- so i will wait a few months to get an eval if I don't see improvement. So, in all, because of my background, I am not too worried about my son as far as Autism is concerned, but I understand where you would be concerned by some of your sons issues or quirks. As long as your son is not significantly bothered by transitions, is fairly coordinated, is a social child and is meeting most of his milestones on time, you probably don't need to be worried about Autism, atleast not yet. However, some of the "quirks" you describe may be caused by some level of sensory integration disorder which cab cause a child to seek out excessive sensation such has spinning/hand flapping etc. Overall, if you have any concerns about your child's development, I would recomend getting an evaluation by early intervention. They will send a team of experts to your home (speech pathologist plus possibly Occupational Therapist, psychologist, special education teacher etc.) to evaluate your son. Upon their findings, they will deem the necessary interventions. It may be that he just has speech delays and some sensory processing issues, or it may be that he is just a "typical" toddler learning about the world and sensations from his environment!! It is great that you are able to pick up on these issues with your son and recognize that they may be a sign of something more severe, however, don't over analyze him... you will just make yourself worry excessively. If it would put your mind at ease and you have worries, it doesn't hurd to get an eval. If he does indeed have a speech delay or Autism, the early it is diagnosed the more effective treatment will be.

My son is 3 years old now. He used to do the hand flapping between about 6 and 15 months (don't remember exactly). But I remember being concerned. I think its just his way of showing he's excited. My son flapped his arms when I arrived at day care to pick him up or when I presented him with a new toy. Whenever he was happy. He was very social and friendly too. and made good eye contact. It turned out to be nothing serious. Its normal for 1st time moms to worry about these things. If it makes you feel better you can talk to the pediatrician about it.

Hi L.,
None of us can tell you whether your child has autism. If you have true concerns, please address them with your baby's doctor and request the proper evaluations. HOpefully that will give you some peace of mind. Good luck and hugs,

L.,

Boys need spinning motion (I forgot what girls need :) as part of their development activities. If he were doing it constantly and fighting you to stop even when he gets sick, then I would worry.

Flapping? He's getting his coordination right. DS didn't get pointing directly at an object until recently and he's almost 2.

Do you read with him? Have a ton of books available, either library or second hand from garage sale. ANY time he picks up a book, sit down with him and read it. The results (across the board!) will be worth it. Learning how to read earlier, having an interest in reading, getting attention he needs when he wants it, and so, SO much more. You will certainly not regret spending the time to do this in the long run.

Every thing else you've mentioned sounds normal and very good. Keep up the good work!

Good luck,
M.

If you are concerned, and if it were me, I would get him evaluated by Early Intervention. It doesn't cost anything, and if he does evaluate has being on the autism spectrum, they will provide you with free therapies. The earlier you start, the better he will be. I wish I had my son evaluated earlier than I did, but better late than never too. I would start by making an appointment with your pediatrician, and ask them to put you in touch with Early Intervention. Best of luck! Private message me with any questions if you want. I didn't go through EI since I waited so long, but I do have experience with the school districts which is who you would go to when he turns 3.

Hi L.,
I am a mother of a wonderful 3 yr old boy who is on the autism spectrum. Although everything you are describing can be "typical" behavior, it can also be the start of something more. Talk to your pediatrician, who should give you the information to have your son evaluated by Early Intervention, I believe you need the doctors "prescription". If the doctor says wait then you need to insist on it because the services you son may need now will help him years from now. There is no cost to you for the evaluation and our team of therapists were amazing and my son who at 20 months had no words now had well over 150!!! Please feel free to message me privately if you'd like more info!!!
Good luck!!!
P.

I don't think it's anything to be alarmed about, but by all means, have your child checked out and if the possibility he has autism or something else, you know and have therapy started ASAP. No matter what, advocate him. My third son has done some things later than the other two did, but yet there are things he gets into that his other brothers did not get into around that age. Looking at ceiling fan, spin with head to the side, I see as normal things kids do. Some do and some don't and every one of us are different. If you and your husband are concerned, have him evaluated. No harm done at that age. When my third son was at that age, he didn't point either and I noticed he wasn't saying much words and now he's trying to say a lot things, but he scored below the average with language so he's going to get speech therapy. Just reinforce what they teach him and they do it in home and I am from Troy. So, just reinforce what they teach. My oldest needed speech therapy and he was talking at 1 year of age, good speech and went downhill at 2 yo and now he's talking fine with speech therapy and it ended back in June. My second son, his speech was and is perfect no need for speech therapy. I reinforced what they taught him and I told my husband for him to reinforce it too and that may be why the speech ended early. You are a wonderful mother and your husband a wonderful father for taking steps to do something about it. Don't let the drs put it off, tell them you want your son to be evaluated ASAP. Good job, Mom and Dad. Jesus bless you all.

Ask your pediatrician and tell them you want birth -3 to do an evaluation and MORE importantly get him evaluated by a developmental pediatrician it takes 6 months to a year to get in so call immediately. My son was a spinner and didn't talk at 18 mths either he was diagnosed with pdd-nos. We've been doing a gluten free cassien diet (gfcf diet and he started speaking almost immediately. He had his diagnosis taked away from him last year ( he is now 6) Good Luck!

I read the other posts everyone said early intervention ( birth-3) keep in mind there are MANY diff agancies in CT some I heard are good and some not so good, so ask around to which one is the best ALSO PLEASE CALL A DEVELOPEMENTAL PEDIATRICIAN THEY ARE SO THOROUGH AND BASED ON THEIR EVALUATION YOU MAY BE QUALIFIED FOR MORE SERVICES THAN THE BIRTH -3 EVAL OFFERS YOU. WE SAW
Dr. Thyde Dumont-Mathieu,
1000 Asylum Avenue SUITE 1026
Hartford, CT 06105
ALSO, INSURANCE COVERS THIS EVAL, IT'S FREE

L.,
Early Intervention is not a big deal---no harm in just giving it a try. First step, a therapist (speech, developmental, whatever the concern) comes to your home and evaluates by playing with the child. (actually first step is a half hour of paperwork) It sounds like you would like some reassurance or other opinions. i'm in the process of doing it with my daughter for speech, and at the very least it gives good perspective from people who have seen a lot of kids her age. I understand the viewpoint of waiting and seeing, but if indeed something is there that can be helped at an early stage, even if not autism, i say try the services youre already paying for with tax dollars. You're not locked into anything either--you can deny services once they begin at any time.
Best to you,feel free to e-mail me if you have questions or feel shaky or whatever,
M.

The hand flapping concerns me but everything else sounds ok. But none of us can tell you for sure without seeing him. Call Early Intervention. I have the number for Passaic County Special Child Health Services, they can give you Morris Co. if you want to have an evaluation done. You don't need a referral. Just call them and tell them your concerns and would like an evaluation done.

L.,
go with your heart. no matter what people say or don't say. when our son was 18 months, he talked very little and barely walked-- and he flapped--when he was excited or happy. I was extremely nervous, but we waited. By 2y/o, we had him evaluated, they said he was on the spectrum, but mild. He started speech therapy, and shortly after stopped flapping his hand (now he uses "yea!" when he is excited or happy). Now 3 y/o, he's doing better. My point is: go with your mother gut! Whatever you feel in heart, do it.
best to you.

I too had concerns with my son starting around 18 months when he was not talking and had what I viewed to be obsessive compulsive. I had to get a referral from his pediatrician (I insisted), to put him in speech therapy with Birth to Three (in CT). At my request they did a really casual eval for OCD and Autism just observing and asking you questions.

You must advocate for your son. If he does have something on the autism spectrum, you will want to get him early intervention/therapy. The earlier the better. I know too many people who thought their child had issues early only to find out when they are 7-10 years old that they have aspergers or similar. Good luck with everything!

L.,
It is probably nothing but talk to your pediatrician. My 1st son didn't talk until he was 2 years old, but he sat up, walked, and ran, extremely early. All kids develop differently. I have 5 and each one was totally different from the next. My 2nd son walked at 10 months, my daughter was talking in sentences at 7 months. I will never forget the day she said "Mama, I want eggies.", she was 6 months old. Oh and the best one was my 4th child, he walked on his knees for 2 years before he decided to walk right. A friend of mine is a pediatric orthopedist in Atlanta, GA so I sent him a video tape of my son walking on his knees just so he would believe me. I think you get my point, but play it safe and talk to your pediatrician.
Hugs,
T.

Don't jump to conclusions but I will give you the same advice I got: call Early Intervention for an evaluation. It's free & convenient. They come to your home. If all is well then you won't need to worry about it and if not, you need to know & get him help as early as possible. You need to find out either way. Good luck.