About Michelle Fattig Expertise I can answer questions about educational testing, autism, Asperger's Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, Special Education, IEP, Learning Disabilities, Sensory Processing, Parent Advocacy, Response to Intervention, living and parenting with disabilities, parent rights in special education, school psychology, and more. I cannot provide a medical diagnosis.
Experience I am a school psychologist, medical technologist, author of the Annie Books series: Experience Aspeger's Syndrome and Attention Deficits Through the Eyes of a Child, RTI facilitator, ILCD facilitator, parent advocate, presenter, and researcher. My children and I have Asperger's, ADD/ADHD, and learning disabilities.
Organizations National Association of School Pyschologists, American Medical Technologists, Learning Disabilities Association of Nebraska
Education/Credentials Ed.S. in School Psychology, doctoral studies in SPED Law, SPED Systems Enhancement Leadership, and doctoral candidate Education Leadership. MT(AMT) and MLT(ASCP)
Question I have some concerns about my 10 month old son. I know autism is not usually diagnosed this early and lord knows im not trying to put anything on my son. Let me first say, my son is cooing and saying "dada". he crawls, cruises along side tables etc, he smiles all the time and even smiles and laughs at strangers until he gets their attention so they can smile back. My son claps and bounces when he hears music. My mother has taught a "clap your hands song" so whenever she sings it, he claps. He's very alert when we enter the room and answers to his name immediately about 60% of the time. He loves to play with children and get over excited at the meir sight of them. he is an overall very happy baby and smiles and is very social.
My concerns are when he was about 4 mnths old, he had these repetitive movements in his legs like he is nervous, he has since grown out of that and doesnt do that anymore...but He recently gets these reflexes moreso after he's eaten and when he's excited and at nighttime almost like he freezes or looks as if he about to have a seizure. Seizrues were ruled out when they did a brain scan at the emergency room. It also seems like his hands want to lock up as well. One of my biggest concerns is he throws his head back and it seems involuntary because he whines right after like it hurts him. I am so worried this could be autism that I dont know what to do. My family and friends keep telling me he's a boy and he will be fine. His pediatrician said the same thing. While I am not looking for a prognosis for my son..I want to look into these issues and get the helps he needs if there is a problem.
Answer If they have ruled out seizures, you may want to request a free multidisciplinary evaluation through your local school district. This is not my area of specialty, however you may wish to talk to your physician about a condition called Tic - transient tic disorder
Transient tic disorder is a temporary condition that causes single or multiple motor tics, which are brief, repetitive, difficult-to-control movements or noises (vocalizations).
The tics often resemble nervous behavior.
Transient (short-lived, temporary) tic disorder is common in children: Up to 24% of all school-age children have had tics.
The cause of transient tic disorder can be physical or psychological. It may be a mild variant of Tourette's syndrome. The child may have facial tics or tics involving movement of the arms, legs, or other areas. Tics appear to get worse with emotional stress and do not occur during sleep.
Symptoms:
Movements are recurrent and nonrhythmic
Patients experience an overwhelming inner urge to make the movement
Movements are most often brief and jerky and include the following:
Blinking
Raising eyebrows
Nostrils flaring
Grimacing
Opening the mouth
Sticking out the tongue
Shrugging shoulders
Jerking arms
Clenching the fists
Kicking
Curling of the toes
Vocalizations, such as grunts, sniffing, throat clearing, squealing, snorting, clicking, hissing, or moaning may also occur.
Exams and Tests: Physical causes of transient tic disorder should be considered before a diagnosis is made.
In order to be diagnosed with transient tic disorder, a person must have had tics almost every day for at least 4 weeks, but less than a year.
Treatment: Health care providers recommend that family members do NOT call attention to the tics at first, since unwanted attention may make the tics worse. If tics are severe enough to cause problems in school or work, behavioral techniques are recommended and medications may be considered.
Outlook (Prognosis): Simple childhood tics usually disappear over a period of months.
There are usually no complications. A chronic motor or vocal tic disorder can develop.
Consult with your health care provider if you are concerned about a transient tic disorder, particularly if it becomes persistent or disruptive to the child's life. If you question whether the movements are a tic or a seizure, consult with your health care provider immediately.
