My neph is 2 and barely responds to anything and seems to be a li'l slow... autism?

Question

He doesn't look when you call his name, and sometimes he doesn't look no matter what you do. He isn't very expressive at all, especially compared to his cousin who is nine months yonger and can already say, "Thank you" and identify certain objects.

I was wondering if he could be autistic, or if it's too soon to tell at all. Who knows? Maybe he's just stubborn.

Answer 1

I am a proud parent of a beautiful little boy who has Autism. I am trying to get your support and get more people aware of Autism

Autism is a lifelong, non-progressive neurological disorder typically appearing before the age of three years. The word "Autism" means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction. The classic form of autism involves a triad of impairments - in social interaction, in communication and the use of language, and in limited imagination as reflected in restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour and activities.

People with autism may exhibit some of the following traits:

- Insistence on sameness; resistance to change
- Difficulty in expressing needs; uses gestures such as (hand flapping, rocking) instead of words
- Tantrums
- May not want to be cuddled or be cuddled
- Spins objects
- Inappropriate attachments to objects
- No real fears or danger
- Uneven gross/fine motor skills
- Not responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf although hearing tests are normal.
- Sustained odd play
- Little or no eye contact
- Prefers to be alone
- Repeating words, or phrases in place of normal responsive language
- Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain
- Noticeable physical over activity or extreme under activity
- Individuals may also experience sensitivity in sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.

Autism and its associated behaviours have been estimated to occur in as many as 1 in 500 individuals. It is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and includes people from all races, ethnic, social, family income, lifestyle and formal education level sectors.

There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Autism tends to occur more frequently than expected among individuals who have certain medical conditions, including fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, congenital rubella syndrome, and untreated phenylketonuria (PKU).

Answer 2

My friends little bot was the same way at that age and is now almost four years lod and still a llittle slow. I think that you should reccomend some speech therapy... It helped him a lot. At times he wouldnt listen to me when I would call his name. I thought there was something seriously wrong with him. The sppech therapist seriously helped... I can understand what he says now but sometimes he still acts as if he cant hear us. Could be for attention.

Answer 3

he may have a hearing problem, which is very uncommon and overlooked. if he cant hear he will not develop in language or expression, has he had his hearing checked? autism is very difficult to diagnosis and nearly impossible at his young age. not knowing your situation, but another consideration could be attachment disorder. if he isn't being nurtured and attended to by a caring parent then development can be very delayed and have no affect at all.

Answer 4

It is possible, my son was diagnosed last year and showed similar symptoms. Make sure the pediatrician knows and have him evaluated. You should have some state funded program that will pay for the evaluation as long as he his under 3 yrs old.

Answer 5

Autism is not something that's diagnosed at home. It sounds like a possibility (is there autism in your family?). A doctor will make a decision about whether he is or isn't.

Answer 6

Get him under a pediatrician and let the tests run...