Expert: James Michael Roan - 10/6/2008

Question
QUESTION: Exactly my thoughts, Jim! Back in 1975 if everyone was as oversensitive to childhood development or delays as they are now, I would have been "whisked" to a physical therapist when it turns out there was nothing wrong. I just was NOT interested in crawling. My parents had to practically force me to walk too!!!! It's not that my Mom wasn't concerned, because a friend of hers had a daughter my age who was crawling and walking all over the place, but her doctor told her to wait and be patient and sure enough, it all worked out.

I went on to be in the top reading group in all my classes, graduated from college with honors and even now, I read more and use the public library more than anyone I know! I'm actually kind of a nerd!!!!

Wow- your story is amazing! Your skills didn't escalate until after age 7? Amazing!

I just spoke to my husband at work and he is so livid that I am dwelling on this. He says these things will come in time- "His son is fine and he knows this b/c he has seen plenty of children in his own family." (He is of Eastern Indian descent so there are many, many cousins, nephews etc. living in Bombay). The fact of that matter is that he may very well be right and there may not be an issue- perhaps next month Donovan will start doing these things he has not been doing- who knows? We know Donovan is capable of doing them- he just doesn't do them often or every time we ask him to do it. He says I am paranoid and not enjoying the baby but instead obsessing over every little thing, and of course I disagree- I believe that it is better to be safe than sorry. He thinks I am "looking" for problems- yeah, like I WANT my child to have a delay!!! MEN! (no offense) I'm a MOM- it's my JOB to worry!!!!!

Anyway, I am going to call my son's doctor's office tomorrow (Monday) and hopefully get an appt. to see if she thinks Donovan needs to be referred to the Arizona Early Intervention Program for children ages 0-3.

We'll see what happens....

This kind of thing is precisely why we are only having ONE child!

Thanks again...

ANSWER: You are more than welcome. Just so you know, evEry mother I have seen over the years act just as you do...and the fathers react just as Donovan's has! It's nature's way I guess, but thank goodness for mothers! I trust a mother's intuition OVER MY EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE EVERY TIME!!

Regards and my best,
Jim


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: One more question- do non-autistic children ever display repetetive behaviors as such as the opening and closing of cabinet doors? Like I mentioned earlier, women tell me some non-autistic children do this. It seems rather odd to me and suspicious. What does your experience indicate?

ANSWER: Hi Allison;

Actually, recent research indicates that 20 percent of typically developing children demonstrate stereotypies or autistic traits. That's a lot. My experience supports this number. The same part of the brain is affected in AD/HD and autism spectrum disorders: the right prefrontal cortex at the sub cortical (below conscious control). Donovan will be fine. Keep your eye on him, but also enjoy him. Those little guys and girls grow up way too fast. Enjoy the moment also.

Kindest regards,
Jim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Just out of curiosity, do you consider the cabinet/closet door thing "autistic" behavior or are you referring to more "typical" autistic behaviors such as rocking back and forth, arm flapping, etc.?

Also, I stacked a tower of 4 blocks today on the floor and then my husband got home from work and while we were talking, Donovan came over, picked up a loose block on the ground and placed it on top of the tower! Yay!

Seems so silly to be excited about something like that. Welcome to parenthood, I guess!!!

-Allison :-)

Answer
Hi Allison;

That's great! No, the door thing is not typical of autism. I've seen it in about 5 percent of children with high functioning autism/Asperger's syndrome. Remember, that autism spectrum disorders have a cluster of behaviors. The consistent ones are: failure to respond to name 50 percent or so of the time; poor eye contact (especially with other children); receptive language considerably below expressive (Donovan appears o.k. here also); flapping; unusual attraction to water; finger mannerisms along periphery of right eye; and, a few others  can't think of this early in the morning!

As a parent myself, almost everything you worry about never comes to pass!

Kind regards,
Jim