how do i know if my son is autistic?

Answer 1

Firstly if you have concerns contact your health visitor, GP if in the UK Try not to research too much at this stage, Autism is part of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Discuss your concerns with a health care professional, they will reassure you and refer you to a paediatric specialist who will be able to give your child the required assessments as part of a diagnostic process. Should you have your concerns confirmed Look for you local support group, the paediatrician should have details where you will be able to talk to other parents of Autistic children.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

he may have problems in all or any of these three areas
1, communication.
2, social interaction
3, imagination.

if you can answer yes to any of these then it needs investigating further. there are many disorders on the autistic spectrum.
if it is then there are websites support groups etc. the national autistic society have one with lots of good information.just keep in mind that if this is the diagnosis then it is a mental disorder as well as a physical disorder!
i hope you get the answers soon
and the support you all will need
and as for all the heresay that is written on this page it is not what could or not cause it ,if it happens it happens he will still be your wonderful son and it would be life long they dont grow out of it we just deal with here and now and enjoy what we have for today and worry about tomorrow when it comes ?

Answer 3

I have a strong feeling that my 2 year old is Autistic as well. Look up MCHAT online. It's a test you can fill out to see if your son has some of the major red flags indicating Autism.

We have a referral in for a pediatrician now. Early intervention is key when dealing with this so have him tested asap.

Good luck.

Answer 4

you didn't mention how old your son was ?I'm going through the same thing with my Son we have been told that most developmental doctors and specialists wont diagnose it until at least 3 1/2 years old so you could have a long wait to find out i was advised by the national autistic society to try music therapy and light therapy with my son(not white light)moving coloured light as it calms the brain.we have only been doing this for a couple of days but the music therapy seems to calm him quite a lot haven't tried the light therapy yet waiting to buy some lights. but give it a go also day picture planners work because autistic kids tend to be very scared of change and whats happening next but remember hes still your son love him as normal and try not to label him because your probably in for a long wait for a diagnosis you'll just have to accept that this is him and that's that for now good luck.

Answer 5

hello, firstly try not to worry that your child may be autistic and secondly there are 3 levels to autism, mild medium and sever, a lot of autistic children tend to like watching how doors open and close repeatably and cu-bards etc, they also spin around a lot looking up towards the lite and strange they never fall over, i think autism is not diagnosed until a child is around 5 years, good luck and try not to worry if your chil is or is not, i have looked after 2 autistic children and i think they are brilliant and loving, but don't like laud noises

Answer 6

The following site has a quiz to check for the signs of Autism.

Cut and Paste.

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 'there are a number of things that parents, teachers, and others who care for children can look for to determine if a child needs to be evaluated for autism.' This autism quiz asks about 'red flags' that could be a sign that a Pediatrician or other health professional should evaluate a child for autism or a related communication disorder.
Keep in mind that other conditions can also cause these symptoms, that you have to consider what your child can do in an age appropriate manner (for example, a 6 month old likely won't respond to his name), and that normal children can have some of these symptoms and behaviors (like being independent, walking on her toes, or preferring to play alone).

Having one or more of these signs, symptoms, and behaviors should prompt a discussion with your Pediatrician to see if further evaluation needs to be done.

Answer 7

GP's are notoriously uninformed on this score. If you suspect something is wrong, do NOT allow anyone to tell you, even your doctor, that everythng's fine. Insist on seeing a neurodevelopmental specialist. Don't give in on this. Every day is important when dealing with autism. It's curable if you get it early enough!! If you end up with a diagnosis, get help immediately, and DON'T listen to anyone who tells you it's hopeless. I hope you don't need this book, but if you do, start with it: Children With Starving Brains by Dr. Jaquelyn McCandless. Also, if you suspect autism, stop vaccinating now. You can always catch up later if your child is fine. Here's another book to read, with a sensible and safe vaccination schedule to follow: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations, by Stephanie Cave, MD

Answer 8

The American Academy of Neurology, the Child Neurology Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have adopted practice guidelines regarding the screening and diagnosis of autism in children. They stress the importance of early screening for autism and developmental disabilities at every well-child visit to the physician. They specifically indicate an "absolute indication for immediate evaluation" if the child shows any of these symptoms: "No babbling, or pointing or other gesture by 12 months. No single words by 16 months. No 2-word spontaneous (not echolalic) phrases by 24 months. ANY loss of ANY language or social skills at ANY age." These wonderful physicians recommend that a child meeting any of these early criteria should be referred immediately for an autism screening and other developmental tests rather than waiting. To view the guidelines, click the link: Practice parameter: Screening and diagnosis of autism Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society by Filipek, et.al. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. To get Adobe Acrobat Reader from the American Academy of Pediatrics web site, click the link: http://www.aap.org/pdf/adobereader.htm . To see the American Academy of Pediatrics Practice Guideline Endorsement of the Practice Parameter: Screening and diagnosis of autism, click the link: http://www.aap.org/policy/autism.html .

Answer 9

hi there
Please go to the National Autistic Society web page and in the search column type CHAT.

Scroll down and you will come to a checklist for you to compare against your Son.

I wish you well. Good Luck.

Answer 10

google search for autism and answer a questionaire about him. It will give you a points score on the autistic scale. If it seems he is, then you could ask a doctor to be sure.