Autism OR something different?

Question

My daughter has signs of autism. Like walking on teppy toes saying things over and over but she also knows alot like abc's and she can count to 20 she 5 years old and never been to school or day care yet (oh yeah she knows over 10 shapes and knows her colors) its really hard to teach her things but once she knows it she knows it. she was hit by a car before she turn 3 and even before then she couldnt talk well. i was wondering is there anyone out there that has this problem with there kid im looking for help on what they have done i getting her tested now but there so much more i want to do for her

i want to thank you for awnsering me it mean so much to because im so lost i wanted to add that she is a only child and we move just about every year her father is in the navy and things change all the for us all the time but i wanted to say i really want how much it means to me all your inputs it really helps me:)

i've took to the doctors many times no one has said anything to me once someone told me she had ADD just now see her with other kids i thought something was wrong ive took her to the school to get her test for speach and working on a doctor here everything ive read about autism makes no since to me she smiles place sings remember alot she knows how to count in english and spanish and me and her father dont speak spanish and today i took her to the park she played with a little girl for a little while then went back to playing alone i see her being out cast and sometimes she out cast her self i started with small steps with testing i just was wondering can they grow up to be normal?

Answer 1

How I sympathise with your situation. My son is 6 years old and has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and showed all the signs your child has.

We had no time for guesswork - he was two and a half years old when he was diagnosed and we needed Early Intervention" fast!!
From that point on; he was enrolled in Special Education Development at our local school and they were brilliant. Now he is in Grade 1 at the same school and he receives special needs assistance in his class.

Throughout his entire schooling, he has had an IEP which sets out certain barriers to his education and development and strategies to overcome or control them. This IEP was modified as he progressed through special needs through Preschool and into grade one. His IEP will change again regularly throughout his education.

Your best option is to see a Pediatrician and get a positive diagnosis. Then you will be armed with the necessary information and how best to manage her future development both at home and at school.

Best of luck and kindest regards

Anthony

Answer 2

I have worked in the disability field for over 3 years and am qualified however even with these details your child needs a proper assesment. I have a few ideas of what it might be but you're better off getting the assesment done- you'll have to get it when she starts school anyway so do it now.

Once you know her disability you will be able to help her grow to her potential. There are heaps of resources out there now for people with a disability.

Good luck with it all.

Answer 3

There are many different signs of autism, each falling within a different category. Autism is defined by meeting different criteria within different categories. There are also subgroups of autism, meaning different forms. Children can display these various behaviors without being autistic, so finding another child that exhibits these behaviors wouldn't really give you any answers. The best thing you can do is talk to your doctor, and even meet with a few different doctors to get different opinions.

Answer 4

There are lots of programs out there that will test your child for autism. You need to talk with your pediatrician about having your child tested. The doctor is very resourceful and can help you with this. There are programs like "babies can't wait" that will come to your house or doctor's office and evaluate your child.

You have every right to be concerned and if she does have autism than she can be helped! (Lots of children walk on their tippy toes and repeat things that do not have autism). Your child sounds like she is very bright!!! So, hang in there and get your pediatrician involved!!!

Answer 5

I work with children that have special needs; most of them are autistic. It is difficult to determine when a child has autism, but there are very specific behaviors to look for. They typically develop normally until about 18 months; then they begin regressing. The diagnostic criteria for autism includes impairment in social interaction (i.e. poor eye contact, poor peer relationships, lack of interests with others, lack of emotional reciprocity). They have impairments in communication skills (i.e. delay in language development, inability to sustain a conversation, repetitive use of language, lack of spontaneous and make-believe play). They also typically engage in strange mannerisms like hand flapping, twisting, or banging. Chances are, if your daughter was hit with a car, she may have had some injury to her brain. I have had a few clients that were diagnosed with developmental delays and speech delays due to being hit by a car or being in a car accident. However, if your pediatrician says she's fine and you disagree, get a second opinion. Most doctors tell my client's parents their children are fine, when they're not. However, you should check with school to get her tested, and depending on where you live, there are places you can free services. I'm in CA and there are great resources for children with developmental delays.

Answer 6

It sounds like your daughter has a mild case...remember autism affects the social realm...children with autism can be incredibly smart, like your daughter. Wait till the tests come back and your doctor can make some recommendations. To help with the talking aspect, try computer games that teach children how to talk...i have heard those can be very helpful. One thing to keep in mind though is that familiarity in the teaching and learning process for an autistic child helps immensely...if you talk to the school she will be attending and see their curriculum you could start teaching it to your child now giving her quite a heads up!

Answer 7

I would say from the way you talk she sounds cognitively delayed but at the same time she sounds normal. It doesn't sound like autism. My best suggestion is to have your daughter evaluated and tested. It is very common for children to stutter. Her not being in childcare could have an affect on her learning.
Most 3 year olds can count to around 30.
Know most shapes.
Know colors of rainbow+black, brown, white, and gray.
can recognize letters of name.
Know all their body parts.
bottom line do what you think is best for her.

Answer 8

There are so many different symptoms of autism. The first thing you should do is get her assessed. If you're not sure where to get this done, contact your child's doctor and/or school. They should have some resources in helping you to investigate your child's development. Good luck.

Answer 9

Autism is a pretty complex condition and there is really no way to properly diagnose it over the internet.

I think that unless your daughter is having difficulty at school or making friends, you shouldn't worry about it.

Answer 10

Getting her tested is where you need to start. Wait until you have the answers before you start to worry needlessly. Just let things run their course and things will work out. Good luck.