Autism/Is this autism?

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Expert: - 12/22/2008


Question
I am writing to ask about my niece she turned three in September. this year and she barely speaks 10 words,she will out of nowhere say words she heard before but do not necessarily apply to any ongoing conversation. She was in and out of he Dr. office as infant between 6-12 months because her head was growing too big.She is very schedule oriented and does not warm up to new people at all.Her mother is in denial about autism but it seems like a very real possibility given all i have read.

Answer
Hi Andrea

You are indeed on the right track. Though I cannot diagnose autism, it does sound like it to me. The red flags are: very few words (a typical child at three has hundreds of words and is talking in conversation), being schedule oriented and not warming up.

I understand the denial. I would recommend that instead of trying to push the mom to deal with the situation as possible autism, I would recommend that she get some help with the language delay. Then, in time, she may come around to understand the rest of the issues. I am always available for consultations if the mom wants to ask me how to help her daughter acquire better language skills. I would leave the word autism out of the conversation for the time being.

Thanks for writing.

Valerie Herskowitz, MA CCC
valerieherskowitz.com

Autism

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Valerie Herskowitz

Expertise

I am an autism expert and speech pathologist (for over 30 years). I am also the parent of a child with autism. I can answer any question on autism dealing with communication, education, behavior and diet. I cannot answer questions that are medical in nature or are dealing with medications.

Experience

I have run a therapy center for individuals with autism since 1981. I lecture all over the country. I also teach classes on autism on line.

Organizations
Vice President of Communications Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Member American Speech and Hearing Association, MembernAutism Society of America, President of the National Autism Registry, Vice President of the Association for Developmentally Disabled Adults and Adolescents.

Publications
Autism Society of America's national publication (September 2008). Advance Magazine, South Florida Parenting, Spectrum Magazine, I am the author of: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology (available:www.valerieherskowitz.com)

Education/Credentials
I have a masters degree in speech pathology

Awards and Honors
I won a Stevie Award in 2004: Lifetime Achievement Award for my work with individuals with autism. My therapy center won, Judge's Choice Award Best Center in South Florida by South Florida Parenting magazine 2005.

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