Low Tone and Autism

Most doctors wont diagnose autism this early, but you can have her tested for red flags for autism and have her begin therapy such as speech therapy for the speech delay. My son had red flags for autism and had speech therapy for it. It has been determined that he is not autistic.

I can't answer to the autism. I CAN tell you that low tone is often linked with speech delay, as children can have trouble making the necessary movements with their tongues and lips to form words. Many children with low tone have speech delays. Her low tone may also affect her ability to properly play with toys, as she might not have the muscle control to use them the way a typical child would.

Do you have her in different therapies? I know another little girl with severe low tone (recently diagnosed as a form of cerebral palsy) who is in physical, behavioral, occupational and speech therapy. She typically goes to about 7-8 appointments per week. It can be exhausting, but they do see slow improvement in her and they are always fighting her to get her into the programs she needs.

I would have her evaluated by both her pediatrician and a pediatric neurologist (make sure it's a pediatric specialist) to assess the autism concerns. Many babies that have sensory issues are not on the spectrum. As you know, the earlier you diagnose, the earlier you can treat and minimize the symptoms.

I hope you get the answers and the help that you need.

I can't answer if your child has autism. Does your state have an early intervention program that can evaluate her? My daughter did not walk until she was 19 months, she also had "low tone", and yes, she has a lot of sensory issues. But she is not autistic. She is now 8. One of the girls she just met at school that is one of her BFFs is very friendly, huggy, and cuddly. I knew a head of time that this child is autistic so I really could not believe it was her when I met her. My best friend's nephew also is autistic but she said he is extremely social, almost overly so. I guess one side of autism is that they can not know the social cues to stop being friendly. Good luck--have her evaluated.

My bet would be , that your daughter doesn't have autism but something that may have some autism-like symptoms. My son has a rare syndrome & he has some autistic characteristics but isn't autistic. I'm not suggesting that your daughter has any kind of syndrome , just that she may not be autistic & that you shouldn't fear losing your loving child.

My grandson is autistic and he's social, loving, cuddly. He does miss social cues. A child your age is not expected to recognize social cues. That's not to say your daughter is autistic. She's too young to tell. I'm just saying an autistic child can be warm and loving.

You need a professional evaluation. Your school district will provide an evaluation and some treatment thru their Early Intervention program. It's administered in our district thru a Service District. The program is required thru a Federal program, No Child Left Behind and it's free.

Eventually my daughter involved her son with a developmental pediatrician thru their insurance. I advise that you go both the public and private route. Get all the help you can get. And start now. Diagnosis and treatment take time and the sooner you start the better.

The developmental pediatrician made an evaluation and then referred him to specialists. My daughter started the process thru his regular pediatrician.

You should have her evaluated by a specialist. A Pediatric Neuropsychologist. This will at leaset give you a heads up as to where any problems may lay and what you can do about it. At 21mos old, I do not believe a Dr. will diagnose autism or the spectrum.

It is not. She sounds exactly like my son. He was diagnosed with Creatine Deficiency Transporter Disorder but I believe he has Autism. Autism was just coming out of the woodwork at that point. He has always been very social and never regressed. My son responds very well to High Praise for every little great thing he does even if its put a speck of dust in the vacuum hose when I'm vacuuming.
She will continue be that loving, cuddling little girl. Her social skills are not at risk.

Lots of symptoms have lots of reasons but you need to remember if it is "this" if it is going to be "this" whether or not you recognize it at "this" early on.

So so what?

You treat the symptoms, there is nothing more that you can do until they reach an age where you know what is going on.

Having said that my son who is autism spectrum walked at 10 months, could do just about every milestone early except those that required social understanding, like speech.

It sounds to me, and I am not a doctor nor do I have any idea what low tone is, like all your daughter's issues surround low tone. Any child, regardless of ability, is going to gravitate towards what they can do.

This doesn't mean she doesn't have something Autistic in her, just doesn't mean she does either. Just try to focus on the issues and not knowing exactly what is going on.