my 3 year old son?

Question

my son is 3 years old has little speech but hearing is fine, he does have routines which if you change he gets upset, he hurts others including me,he eats strange things even dog food, he dosnt always make eye contact oftern shutting his eyes or turning his back. someone asked me if he is autistic, this worried me as i just thought he was very slow, what do others think

Answer 1

Sounds very much like Autism. I have worked with autistic children for over 7 years. The eating issue, no eye contact, needing routine, non verbal - Are all classic signs of Autism. The best thing to do is to have him evaluated. If he is Autistic, which I suspect he is, he will qualify for some great services. There are preschool programs through the Education Service District, that specialize in Autism and other special needs of children. The great thing is, once he is identified as Autistic these services will be available to him throughout his school years if needed and /or wanted. Speech is one of the much needed services he will qualify for. Many of the non verbal Autistic children do become violent, because they feel frustrated and have no other way to communicate their needs. We use picture cues in our classroom - this gives them another way to show us what they want without the aggressive behavior. Not to mention it makes them successful communicators. The more they feel successful the more they want to grow in their skills. Just know, they sooner he gets intervention the better off he will be. I have seen so much progress in these children through our preschool program and each and every year it continues to amaze me. One more important factor is his diet. A large number of Autistic children have food allergies, including dairy, wheat, and gluten. When these foods are taken out of their diets many of them will begin to do amazing things. Others will begin to act as a regular developing child does. Eliminating these foods, that actually act as a poison to their bodies can make all of the difference in the world.


The evaluation is free and available through your local Education Service District. If he qualifies, these services are made available to him at no cost to you . You are able to call them and refer him yourself, this will get the process started.

Answer 2

Okay, if you have any concerns at all, visit a paediatrician, then unless you get a diagnosis, get a second opinion, just to make sure. Autism can indeed be missed, even when there are obvious symptoms, and it can be misdiagnosed too. Your son is still young, and it is possible his behaviour is just that of a quirky three year old who is smart enough to work out how to get attention, or just wants to be left alone at times.

My counsin's little boy was just like this, wouldn't mix with anyone and had many of the obvious autistic symptoms. They said he wasn't autistic, and they were right, he is now a handsome, huge, loving, funny and kind seventeen year old who has done well at school and is looking forward to university in the next couple of years.

My nephew had similar signs to your son, but not as obvious, he was diagnosed with glue ear and wore grommets for a couple of years. Only one person, my ex husband was convinced he was autistic. My daughter and I are the only people he never loses it with, he is now nearly 11. He was eventually diagnosed as having Aspergers' Syndrome (similar to autism, but very high functioning), but it now turns out he was autistic all along. His older sister has mild autism and was never diagnosed, she is 21 and has many friends, is a happy and utterly wonderful person with a brilliant career and knows her own mind and where she is going.

I am telling you all this so that you do not worry, it could be nothing, like my cousin's little boy, or it could be something, either way, it doesn't mean that it necessarily has to hold him back in life. It is so easy to label children, and in cases like these, misdiagnosis does occur, so make sure you are entirely happy with the way you are dealt with, that you are having all your questions answered and your fears allayed, that in the event of a diagnosis you are given accurate and helpful information and as much support as you need, use the net to contact other support groups if necessary.

You could start with a visit to your GP's clinic to the children's health visitor there, they are pretty good at spotting things and often not given the credit they deserve, as they are not doctors, but they see all kinds of kids, and mothers, all the time. If your health visitor isn't worried, you probably shouldn't be, just make sure that you see them regularly so that any behavioural changes can be noted. Do not let anyone treat you as an hysterical mother, but don't act like one. At the end of the day, your son is what he is, with or without a label, and all the positive confidence and love you can give him will get him through life whether he is just a little quirky, antisocial or has a more challenging condition. I wish you all the best of luck, please try not to worry. God Bless.

Answer 3

There are enough symptoms there that I would talk to your pediatrician about and see about having him tested.

It's better to do it now than later. The sooner you find out what the problem is (if there is a problem) the sooner something can be done about it. You don't want him falling behind. If there IS a condition there and you don't do anything about it, in 2 years when he starts school - THEY will see the signs. But the teacher won't mention it right away. She'll watch your child and get to know him for the first half of the school year, just to make sure she's not making any rash judgements. Then she'll talk to the principal and there will be conferences and observations and testing and by the time all this is done your son will be finished with his first year of school, but he'll be behind.

So find out now, so if he needs help you can get him help. It will be beneficial for him in the future.

Answer 4

There are many signs of autism. First off it IS usually diagnosed around the age of 3. Most autistic children have repetitive movements, for example they will sit on the floor and rock back and forth constantly. They also don't like to play with other children because they don't really understand them. They may also have unusual attachments to objects. If you think that your son has any of these symptoms you may want to take him to a doctor. Its always better to be safe than sorry. There are many treatment methods that are being developed at the moment for autistic children that are really effective. I hope this helped and I hope things work out for you and your son.

Answer 5

Seek professional advice. I have worked with troubled children for many years. It does seem like your son is displaying some symptoms of autism, or aspergers syndrome. Now please do not be alarmed. many children are not severely affected, and lots of help is available.
Best out come from a consultation is your son is fine.
worst is that he has a problem, but look on the positive side of this also. The sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner you can start accessing the help and support you all need.

Hope it proves to be nothing. Good luck.

Answer 6

Please don't jump to conclusions here! It sounds like your 3 year old has a personality. My middle son was the same way at three, he thought that if he closed his eyes when you talked to him that we couldn't see him (as in, if he can't see us, we can't see him). 3 year olds are very exploratory and taste is the best way they can explore, so eating dog food is normal. All 3 of my children did this. It won't harm him. Now my middle son is also very "set in his ways" He also does not like change. He is also a very shy, withdrawn, leg huggin' child. Whether it be his schedule or rearranging the furniture he doesn't like it at all. I personally think it's a slight OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) nothing to worry about now. My middle child also, rarely talked. I approached his doctor about this when he was 3 (he is now 6)and she said that nothing is wrong and that it's just his personality. Noone knows your child the best but you, and health wise, his doctor. So don't let others make you think something is seriously wrong unless they know you and your son personally. Don't take the answers here as your final decision.

Answer 7

I would have him checked out by a pediatrician . The anti-social behavior would worry me. The "odd eating habits" could be a sign of PICA and a simple finger prick can verify this.
A limited vocabulary is also a warnign sign that something isn't quite right.
Make an appointment with your health care provider or local clinic for children asap.
Good luck

Answer 8

So difficult for anyone except a Doctor to make a diagnosis,even then doctors have trouble too to diagnose this problem.It may be that its just the way he is made so to speak,and maybe he will grow out of this.Lots of toddlers have funny little ways.My grandson grunts at people when they say hello to him in the Street but he is perfectly normal ,just shy.Try not to worry and see how he goes.

Answer 9

he may not be autistic, he may have aspergers which is very mild, or he might just be a child that loves routine, he is not the only kid to eat dog food, my friends 2 year old has been found munching cat food on more than one occasion
have a chat to your health visitor

Answer 10

The most common trait of Asperger's is discomfort in social situations, and difficulty engaging in eye contact with the person speaking. Do some research first. You should consult the doc to clear your doubts.