I cannot find a name for my sons condition and my HMO is lacking. He does echoalia, pockets food in his mouth.

Question

he is 2 and a half. Was a late talker (has only talked a few months). Talks now but is hard to understand. Is very sociable but doesnt answer questions (again he echos everything) also echos tv, learns words to songs well, can count to 20, knows alphabet, ""read"s some words, shapes, his teeth have severe cavities from extreme food pocketing (since about age 1), has delays in gross motor skills, deletes parts of words when talking, puts S's in the middle of words for plural instead of at the end, his fine motor skills were advanced but havent improved for so long he is now behind peers, plays well with others, likes to talk ALOT, good eye contact, repeats words and phrases over and over sometimes will not stop untill you repeat back to him what he said, will put everything in 2's/lines and will freak if you touch them (blocks cars legos), pretend plays well, will not swallow certain tectures. Doctors think AUTISM! but hes so social. he used to appear more autistic but has gotten social

Answer 1

After reading the answers to your question I am surprised that no one has addressed the issues of overstuffing and pocketing food inside his mouth. He clearly has hyposensitivity and oral motor issues leading to articulation difficulties. He needs a full workup from an early intervention team. Make sure that the Speech Pathologist that you select to evaluate him is trained as an Oral Motor Specialist. Many are not. Also look at the following website:

www.talktoolstm.com

for products that will be useful in help with his problem.
Sara's Q and A's are useful.
It is clearly important not to wait and to take care of doing as much as possible as soon as possible.

In response to your reply:
Please call Sara's 800 number and speak with them directly to see if you can order materials from them to start using with your son yourself with the help of your therapist. The straw and horn hierarchies would be particularly helpful for you to use with him.

Answer 2

A child CAN be autistic, and be social. There are many different degrees to autism. Yes, it could be Asperger's, it could be PDD-NOS, both of which are high-functioning forms of autism. Everything else you describe is autism, too. It can also be Sensory Integration Disorder, too, although it does sound more like high-functioning autism. Which dr.'s are evaluating him? You can go through a regional center, or most university hospitals are good at diagnosing developmental delays, you would need to see a child psychologist. Contact me if you'd like to talk, my son is 4, very mildly autistic. Sounds a lot like yours, actually.



I just read your best answer to a question, in which you stated to give a child toothpaste with flouride, and I just wanted to caution you about using flouride, but also, make SURE the fillings you allow to go into your child's mouth are not made from mercury. This can add to problems for a child that possibly has autism, it's not healthy for us in general. Here's a link on the flouride.
The optimum amount of fluoride is said to be around 1 ppm (parts per million). Other products containing fluoride which may inadvertantly be swallowed are toothpaste (1000 ppm), mouthwash (4000 ppm) and gel treatments (13000 ppm - half a teaspoon will poison a child)
http://www.azjungle.wholefoodfarmacy.com/2005/flouride1.asp
there's many others, this is the first I came to.

Answer 3

Zoe Isabel Willow Jane Julia Giselle Ella Katherine Arabella Rose Savannah Chelsea Gemma Sage

Answer 4

Echolalia is generally associated with autism. Autism has been used as a general term to mean difficulty communicating, and doesn't always have to be a social problem. Start asking around in your community for someone who does education testing. You have already gone mainstream, try someone who dabbles in the alternative. If you investigate yourself, you will find more conditions than you ever thought possible. I'm sorry I can't be more help, the best I can do is tell you what it is probably not (cerebral palsy, aspergers).

Answer 5

I don't know much about child disorders... and I'm certainly no expert, but I guess any avenues to explore could help...
So, check out Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Its widely underdiagnosed and can have a very early onset. Alot of people with OCD have repetition issues and ordering issues (like things a certain way and become upset or anxious if they are changed.) They sometimes also exhibit ritual behaviors like touching their fingers together or having to walk only in certain patterns to go around furniture or through doors.

As a Mom, my heart goes out to you. Love your little boy as I'm sure you do. Keep asking questions... get more proffessional opinions than you think are necessary... you never know who might have the answers.

Good luck and God Bless.

Answer 6

It sounds like Aspergers Syndrome - same but milder than Autism. Also could be Autism Spectrum Disorder - again similar to Autism but with some other symptoms. Keep on getting second, third, etc, opinions from doctors 'till you find out what it is. If he has a label he can get help. (No label - no help).

Answer 7

Could be mild autism. Autistic children can be very social. My cousins son is mildly autistic. At four years old he would come up and ask what kind of car you drive - if your answer was trite, he would say, "Year , make, and model please." He knew more about cars than anyone I know.

Depending on where you live, true to California, you can ask the school district (even if he is not in school) to evaluate his speech and learning ability - they must provide this service - obviously at no charge.

Answer 8

Leave him alone.The kid is a little slow.Why are you looking for a name to label him.Just work with him,correct him a million times if you have to.Give him a push ti start the next level.Come on,my son still keeps the food in his mouth.i remind him to swallow every other second.He is a healthy happy four year old,with pearly White teeth.I am not saying you are a bad parent.But don't give up so soon.

Answer 9

I have a younger sister who is autistic and this pretty much describes her. If it is autism, be glad that it is mild. It sounds like with some help your son could still attend normal public schools. You should get help as soon as possible so he will be able to integrate himself in normal society.

Answer 10

To me it sounds like asperger's syndrome. take him to a neurologist. This diagnosis is on the Autism spectrum, but it sounds like he is doing well. If he does have some delays your doctor can get you the services he needs. Occupational, Physical, or Speech therapy. I am a therapist so I understand your delima.