Expert: James Michael Roan - 12/8/2008

Question
I have twins that just turned 15 mths... My little girl Sadie.  Has started zoning
out... She just stops (while standing usually but when sitting too) and her face
goes blank and she stairs down and a little to the side. It is new thing. should
I be concerned? I am going to bring it up to the doctor at her appt. but I have
a niece with  Autism and it is always in the back of my mind. I know with out
you see her it is hard to tell but I wanted your opinion in the matter thank
you

Answer
Hi Stephanie;

Zoning out can have multiple causes and I strongly urge you to follow through with her pediatrician. Zoning out can actually be petite mal seizures, AD/HD, and/or executive dysfuntion. Since attention problems and executive dysfunction is common in autism, you often see that behavior. I have included some early red flags for you to review and get back to me on if you like.


If your baby shows any of these signs, please ask your pediatrician or family practitioner for an immediate evaluation:
•   No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter
•   No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter
•   No babbling by 12 months
•   No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months
•   No words by 16 months
•   No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months
•   Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills at any age
No pointing by 15 months.








James Roan Bio:

James Roan is a school psychologist and has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disability and with enforcement of their rights. James Roan was the consulting psychologist responsible for many of the autism and ADHD screening tools and other content for www.accessspecialneeds.com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors.