Expert: Paul Johnson - 1/3/2008

Question
My 38 month old shows some signs of Autism / PDD-NOS but the developmental pediatrician does not think is autism . He has a blood test for fragile x , although the pediatrician said it is unlikely he has that either .We are waiting for the results. However Ifeel he is in the high functioning autism . He has good eye contact , but doesn't play with other children at a birthday party for ex he is watching them , he is not aloof ,but seems shy to interact. At home he plays well with siblings . He rarely answers or talks to strangers . He has 3-4 words sentence but doesn't really communicate or asks questions. He lines up cars/toys but not obsessively and doesn't mind if I remove any . (one of the reasons the dr said he doesn't have autism is that he doesn't do anything consistenly ) He touches his eyelashes when stressed or tired . He is very affectionate and likes touch.Noises ,crowds or store never bother him
Fully potty trained and training was not an issue
Doesn't flap hands
no rocking
no echolalia
no sensitive to noise

He walked at 17 months
he doesn't play much with toys or pretend but he does a little

We are worried about him . He was tested by the school and they said he is average to above average in cognitive area but delayed in expressive speech. At home he talks ok , but the speech pathologist couldn't get more than one word sentence from him. The psychologist said he is very anxious . We are very anxious to do whatever he needs. Any ideas on what to do, who to see, or who to talk to would be welcomed.

Answer
Hey Elisa,

Thank you for your thoughtful and important question.

Autism all alnong the spectrum is a very difficult diagnosis to make accurately. All of us clinicians are going off of sometimes confusing diagnostic information.
The age of your son is the beginning of when accurate diagnosis of Autism can be made. Most diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome are made in the teenage years.

I will refrain from speculating about your son, without meeting him it is impossible. He might best be served by being examined my somebody that specializes in making diagnosis for Autism. You did not indicate your address. I am hoping there might be an Autism society resourse near your home. Anyplace where there are quality clinicians that understand Autism well might be a good next step for you.

Be patient. You are at the beginning of the process.