Does this sound like autism to you ?

Question

I have a 2 and a 1/2 year old son here are the symptoms :
Doesn't like hugs, kisses, or any kind of affection,
Won't play with his toys, he just lines them up and counts them over and over again, Calls things by there colour iinstead of there name, for no apparent reason stands and flaps his hands, doesn't like it when anyone comes into the house, doesn't like it when anyone looks at him, hates having his nappy changed, hates the thought of a potty, doesn't stop counting from waking to sleeping - he even wakes in the night counting sometimes, if i praise him he goes mad, starts crying and shouting no mummy!, he gets very violent towards people for nothing, he screws his face up when he talks to people and talks purposely in a deep growling voice.

Just to add on, the healthvisito has been watching his behavious for the past 14 months, he has an appointment with the paediatricain tomorrow, I just don't know whether they will take much notice as he is so young .

Answer 1

I can tell you, as the mother of an autistic child myself, that it is probably autism. My son had many of those same behaviors from the time he was about 14 months and was diagnosed at 17 months. You need to be firm with the doctor about having your son evaluated. If he doesn't take you seriously then find a doctor who will. Early intervention is vital for treatment to be the most effective. Many people will tell you it can't be autism because your son doesn't display this behavior or that behavior. It is important to keep in mind that no autistic child presents the disorder the same and there is no one symptom that every single autistic child has. I heard many times that my son couldn't be autistic because he does make eye contact and does enjoy affection and has a great bond with me. People who tell you this base their facts on the one autistic child they happen to know or the one article they happened to read or the one show they happened to watch. It is very important that you do your own research from reliable sources that way you can separate fact from fiction and so you get accurate information. On a personal level it is also important to know, that though you are in for a great challenge and things will be hard for your family, that there is also many beautiful gifts that come with raising an autistic child. Your child's disability is only a small part of who he is and does not make up his entire being. Your son is the same child that you cherished before you knew he had autism. The diagnosis does not change anything but the fact that you now know what is wrong and what to do to help him. Most importantly, do not ever lose your hope that you can beat this. If you do lose hope, your child probably won't get better, so it is important that you don't give up on him. This doesn't have to be a bad or scary thing as long as you don't lose sight of what is the most important thing, your love for your son. Good luck to you and your son.

Answer 2

It sounds like it could possibly be some form of autism. Although you didn't really mention anything about speech problems. The majority of autistic children don't tend to talk until close to 2 years of age and even then they may use sign language or different types of communication. they also don't look anyone in the eye typically. these are some dead give aways for autism. although some of the symptoms you stated sound like autism it might just be a phase bc he's so young. But you should definitely have him tested if you have any reason on suspecting it, which i think you do. and no, its definitely not too early to tell. good luck

Answer 3

I was watching "The View" today, and their talking about autism all week on that program. The way you described your son does sound like some of the autistic children I saw on the show. Some were diagnosed as early as 18 months (maybe earlier??), so if you are having concerns, bring this up to your doc. Toni Braxton's(guesthost today on "the view") son is autistic and they gave him numerous tests and other possibilities for what he might have before diagnosing him, so don't give up. Seek a second opinion if you have to. If caught earlier enough, he may have a better chance at a more normal way of life. Also, there are many different forms of autism, so do your research so you are knowledgeable about the topic yourself. It may make you feel better, or more "in control" of the situation. Good luck to you and your family. God Bless!

Answer 4

Sounds like he has a lot of symptoms of autism/PDD going on, particularly the stemming behaviors (hand flapping, counting, lining up objects), lack of affection, and sensory issues (changing diapers, violent reactions). Ask your pediatrician for a referral for a comprehensive psychological and neurological examination. The earlier he gets intervention, the better the results will be, so starting NOW is imperative. He is not too young to be evaluated... I work with children as young as 18 months who have been evaluated with symptoms of the autistic spectrum. They may not give him a difinitive diagnosis at this point, but they will give you enough information as to whether or not it would be to your child's benefit to get him into a special education program.

Answer 5

Autism is a possiblilty also his senses may be more sensitive than others and therefore touch and praise(sounds) may be overwelhming to him. I've heard of this but I don't recall if it's part of Autism or a separate condition altogether. I would recommend you list out all your observations as you have in your question and take with you when you see doc. also list out any all all questions you have. It will help you remember everything suring the visit. if your doc doesn't seem responsive to having your son further evaluated then see another doc ASAP. There are many things that this could be and early intervention would be best in any case.

Answer 6

While many of these behaviors are typical for a child his age, some that you have mentioned may be related to a type of autism called Asperger syndrome. I had a student (from the age of 3 to 6) who was diagnosed with AS when he was 4. He did not like affection, could not make eye contact, had extreme difficulties with changes, had violent tendencies when things did not work as he expected, was not interested in playing with others, he did not like to be looked at, he counted everything, and was reading by two. His behaviors were also very repetitive. Daily, he would come in class, sound off the months of the year, count the days on the calendar, tell me a story (same one every day), go outside and swing, come inside and do the same activity in the same place. If another child tried to watch what he was doing he would scream. Any changes in his routine would set him off. Asperger syndrome is also called “High functioning autism.” With practice, those with AS can be “trained” to behave in “normal” ways. This child’s mother practiced with him showing affection, playing with toys, and speaking with others. It took a long time, but in the classroom we practiced with him dealing with change, making friends, and what to say to other children when they looked at him doing an activity. Instead of screaming he would say “Please don’t watch me work” (very loudly at first but after a few weeks he did so in a normal voice). He ended up being a great asset to our classroom.

He is a bit young to really tell if he is autistic. Usually children are not diagnosed until they are older. I’m not sure if a pediatrician would be able to diagnose him. I would ask his pediatrician to refer you to a behavior therapist or psychologist. I don’t know if this helps but just wanted to share. Best of luck!

Answer 7

It sounds like ODD, he's aware of what he is doing, is able to communicate what he is doing and is intent on doing it his way. I'm going to a psychologist for my 9 yr olds behavior, and I tell him about my 2 and 1/2 year old not talking at all, but understands what I tell him to do. Doesn't eat with a spoon but will eat anything I give him if I feed it to him at meal times. He will feed himself at snack time but only if it is dry and crunchy and made of some kind of bread. He plays games like peek-a-boo and says boo and hides, chase with lots of laughs and giggles, rides on his truck even pops wheelies. The psychologist says that it is too tough to diagnose him at this age but that he could have developemental issues. He said to just have fun with him and worry about those issues when he starts school and is old enough to really be able to diagnose. He also said that his age to four, children develope at their own pace and he could start talking all the sudden when he is four. My daughter was a head banger, moody little girl, and is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder with ADHD and ODD symptoms. But because she isn't an adult the criteria for Bipolar is different. My husband has Tourette's Syndrome and barked when he was younger had facial twitches and had ODD like symptoms that were more of a reflex than thought out. So I feel for you. It is hard and frustrating to find out that your child isn't a perfect 10 in the heath department. But later you adjust and it becomes a perfect 10! Life is made up of all different shapes and sizes of people as well as different personalities. That's what makes life interesting!

Answer 8

Autism has a range of symptoms/signs and your concerns should probably be evaluated pretty thoroughly. Given your use of the word "nappy" I'm guessing you're not in the US. If you're in the UK, you should try to get a referral to a Pediatrician. There's some general information on the link below.

Answer 9

You left out one thing. Lack if eye contact. (although it could be implied in the phrase "like it when anyone looks at him.") If he has that syptom, too, I'd say, yes. It does sound like autism. But I'm just judging from what it sounds like.

You say he hates it when you praise him? Many people get a high pitch to their voice when they are praising a child. Perhaps he hates the pitch, not the praise. Try praising him in a totally different tone of voice.

I'm glad you've taken him to see a proffesional. I'd like to hear what they said. They are unlikely to officially diagnose a child this young, but that doesn't mean "do nothing & wait till he turns three."

Answer 10

I even have been clinically determined with Aspergers syndrome. First they theory it grew to become into O.C.D (obsessive complsive sickness) yet then my mum realised I had alot of social problems as nicely. i will assist you recognize slightly approximately me and you will evaluate your symtoms. I in many cases say sorry alot because of the fact i'm continually afraid i've got executed something incorrect, i'm getting bullied and torment because of the fact I now and lower back say the incorrect issues, i'm genuinely doing homeschooling because of the fact i won't have the ability to focus in school cas of the noise tiers in the type room. i won't have the ability to truly take care of sleepovers seem my habitual is disrupted and mum in many cases grounds me from sleepovers because of the fact I even have extensive meltdowns as quickly as I get homestead. The casual infant can take care of grimy-ness yet i won't have the ability to so I in many cases get disillusioned for exp. whilst human beings bounce on my mattress with grimy ft etc. And for a actuality i'm 18months older than my sister and he or she is now and lower back flawed for being older than me(which I hate cos she thinks she will boss me around!). So there's slightly approximately my dignosis. thank you, Molly.