What is Autism?

Question

I think my son has it. Hes 2. sooo cute! hes typical 2 year old. he loves, plays, bites.. He is sooo smart! He just cant talk! I am concerned. my screening for him isnt until March 17th. But My mom is worried that he may be autistic. he says some stuff. no complete words yet. He mostly says "AH" or "UH" he tries to say chocolate "cluccluc" he says "dohdohdohdoh" for No, No! But thats ALL as far as his vocabulary goes. My daughter at this age was a whirlwind, she would Never stop talking. and she knew colors and a TON of stuff. So, do you think he autistic?

Answer 1

I don't know if he is, go take him in to get him evaluated, many cities have something called "early intervention". Here's a questionnaire for you http://www.signsofautism.com/

Answer 2

You left out one thing. Lack if eye contact. Lack of eye contact would be the biggest symptom. Lack of other social interaction is also significant.

If he gets a new toy, does he show it off? If something undusual happens, (a strange person comes in the room, an appliance starts making an unusual sound, etc) does he look to the parent or caregiver for signs as to whether this is something to be concerned about?

Lack of speech is something people hear about concerning autism, but maybe as much as 50% of all kids classified with autism (high functioning) have no speech delay. Their speech may be atypical (robotic, no understanding of figures of speech, etc) but no delay. And there are many other poss reasons for speech delay, such as hearing loss. Not that speech is not an issue; just not as big of an issue for a child that young. My super brilliant nephew didn't speak till he was nearly 3, just because he was spoiled so much he didn't have to.

Rocking movements & such are clear signs, but toddlers rock themselves a lot anyway. It takes someone with experiance to tell the difference.

I'm glad you are taking him to see a proffesional. They are unlikely to officially diagnose a child this young, but that doesn't mean "do nothing & wait till he turns three."

They will likely know if there is a problem even if they can't officially label the problem. And IF there is a problem they will likely refer you to therapist who can help.

Answer 3

Autism is very complicated, so don't panic until your child has been evaluated.
You may not get all of your questions answered at this one visit, so don't put all your hopes into it. It's a good start.

He may merely have a speech impedement that needs speech therapy, or could just be very different developmentaly from your daughter.

Also, pease try not to compare your children. I know you are so concerned and sound like a great mom, and it's natural especially when one spoke early, and now it appears so different. He may just be a totally different person, and may have things he advances in more so than others did.


Having said all that, yes Autism has a lot to do with the speech patterns, etc. Contact the Autism society, not sure the exact name. Maybe 'National'. They were on TV recently and have a very strong support and information structure. Go online and ask questions.

Many kids are misdiagnosed, so you're doing the right thing, learning as much as you. Have your list of questions written down with you to ask the Dr, and don't let him/her rush you. This is important.

Good luck, God bless, and keep lovin' that little one. He's a lucky little boy to have you.

Answer 4

Autism is a name for a broad spectrum of disorders that can have a range of symptoms. You're right that language problems are a part of autism - many people with autism don't speak at all. However, at 2 years old I wouldn't start worrying about autism based just on a lack of verbal skills. You said he's smart - about 50% of people with autism have some degree of mental retardation. Another common aspect is extreme difficulty is social situations, and lack of attachment to anyone, even parents. If he's loving and playful, he doesn't sound like he fits that description. A lot of people with autism also have trouble processing sensory information - a light touch may cause a lot of pain, or loud noises and bright lights may be absolutely unbearable.

You're definitely doing the right thing by having him evaluated. He may very well have some language delays that need to be addressed, or he may grow out of it with time. The specialist who meets him can tell you more and help you decide what (if anything) needs to be done to help him. I wouldn't worry about autism just yet though.

Answer 5

I think you should get his hearing checked because that would have a great deal to do with his speech. Also my girls were usually much more talkative than their brothers!!

Answer 6

There are three distinctive behaviors that characterize autism. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling.

The hallmark feature of autism is impaired social interaction. Parents are usually the first to notice symptoms of autism in their child. As early as infancy, a baby with autism may be unresponsive to people or focus intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time. A child with autism may appear to develop normally and then withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement.

Children with autism may fail to respond to their name and often avoid eye contact with other people. They have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling because they can’t understand social cues, such as tone of voice or facial expressions, and don’t watch other people’s faces for clues about appropriate behavior. They lack empathy.

Many children with autism engage in repetitive movements such as rocking and twirling, or in self-abusive behavior such as biting or head-banging. They also tend to start speaking later than other children and may refer to themselves by name instead of “I” or “me.” Children with autism don’t know how to play interactively with other children. Some speak in a sing-song voice about a narrow range of favorite topics, with little regard for the interests of the person to whom they are speaking.

Many children with autism have a reduced sensitivity to pain, but are abnormally sensitive to sound, touch, or other sensory stimulation. These unusual reactions may contribute to behavioral symptoms such as a resistance to being cuddled or hugged.

Children with autism appear to have a higher than normal risk for certain co-existing conditions, including fragile X syndrome (which causes mental retardation), tuberous sclerosis (in which tumors grow on the brain), epileptic seizures, Tourette syndrome, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder. For reasons that are still unclear, about 20 to 30 percent of children with autism develop epilepsy by the time they reach adulthood. While people with schizophrenia may show some autistic-like behavior, their symptoms usually do not appear until the late teens or early adulthood. Most people with schizophrenia also have hallucinations and delusions, which are not found in autism.

Answer 7

POSSIBLY DIETARY CHANGES CAN CURE IT
...GOOGLE "DR MAJID ALI"
FOR A REAL SPECIALIST THAT FOCUSES ON DIET
HE HAS CURED AUTISM

IF HE IS IN FACT AUTISTIC

Answer 8

What is autism?

Autism is classified by the American Psychological Association in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and is noted as "299.00 Autistic Disorder," diagnosed BEHAVIORALLY (there are NO medical tests that "prove" a diagnosis of autism) by the following criteria:



A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):

qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:


marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction

failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest)

a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest)



qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:


delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime)

in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others

stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language

lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level


restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:


encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals

stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)

persistent preoccupation with parts of objects



B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play.



C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.


The National Alliance for Autism Research offers this description:



“Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person's ability to communicate, respond to surroundings, or form relationships with others. First identified more than 50 years ago, autism is typically diagnosed by the age of two or three. Autism affects people of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Few disorders are as devastating to a child and his or her family. While some people with autism are mildly affected, most people with the condition will require lifelong supervision and care and have significant language impairments. Many children with autism will never be able to tell their parents they love them.

Currently, the causes of autism are unknown and there are no specific medical treatments or cure. Physicians have no blood test or diagnostic scan that can definitively diagnose the disorder. As such, the diagnosis of autism is based solely upon observations of behavior. Despite increasing national interest and high prevalence, autism research is one of the lowest funded areas of medical research by both public and private sources.”

-http://www.naar.org/aboutaut/whatis.htm

For parents of very young children, who feel that "something is not right" with their child, I URGE you to explore the matter with your pediatrician, and if not satisfied, take your child to a specialist for an evaluation. Well-intentioned pediatricians often inform concerned parents that their children are just "going through a phase" or are "slow to develop," or are told "boys tend to talk later than girls - don't worry." If YOU are concerned about your child' development (e.g., lack of eye contact, lack of responsiveness to their own name, pre-occupation with routines and themes, hand flapping or waving behaviors, slow speech development, lack of joint attention, lack of pointing, etc.), it is up to YOU to explore matters. You are your child's strongest advocate, and it begins now.

Early intervention is essential.

Just because a child is diagnosed with autism (or Asperger's Syndrome, or PDD-NOS) does not mean, given just a diagnosis, that anyone can tell you how your child is currently behaving and functioning, and how they will do so in the future. Anyone who does so is not being fair to you. A child's mode of communication is a good example - some children with autism are verbal, some children use sign language, some communicate using a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), some use an augmentative communication device, and some communicate through maladaptive behaviors! These modes of communication may change as your child grows and develops, or it may not. Make sure whomever you trust to educate and help you and your family is someone who KNOWS YOUR CHILD - or at least takes the time to get to know him/her. Every child is an individual.