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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)
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You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Parenting Special Needs > Autism > niece has delayed motor and verbal skills
Expert: Michelle Fattig
Date: 4/1/2008
Subject: niece has delayed motor and verbal skills
Question
my niece just turned 3. she didn't crawl till she was 12 months and didn't walk till about 20 months and still does not talk very well. she had a speech evaluation about 2 months ago from her preschool,(she could only speak 5 words) and they just recommended speech therapy. her parents who are split up say she is just a late bloomer but she has other symptoms of autism like not making eye contact, not responding to her name, doesn't play well with others. me and my mother have brought up autism to her parents and other grandparents but we just get dismissed and they wont even consider the option i don't think she is getting the help she deserves and i want to do more to help her but don't know how to go about it
Answer
It is very hard for parents to understand that there may be more wrong than just the obvious, and it can be a very delicate topic. I was "diagnosed" by a psychologist as having Asperger's in 1996, when my son was being evaluated. It took me 12 years to accept it and seek medical support. I denied any problems with my son, and announced that his teachers were crazy for over 3 years before accepting and seeking support. Be gentle with your conversations and try to provide factual support for your concern. The following are checklists that may be helpful for you to "prove" your case and help her parents to understand:
Children on the spectrum typically have sensory issues, sometimes "diagnosed" as Sensory Integration Disorder:
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processing-disorder-checklist...
An autism checklist with a "score" is found at:
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:2xYqj2CBgMgJ:psychiatry.hmc.psu.edu/c/docum...
Fine motor can be a difficulty, or being 'either handed':
http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/schools/Beal/readiness/finemotoractivities.html
Children with spectrum disorders are sometimes more prone to asthma, allergies, and stomach problems:
http://www.autism.org/allergy.html
Crucial early intervention should involve direct instruction in social skills and creative play with give and take:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/SocialLeisure/playtime.html
I hope this is helpful, please let me know if I can provide anything else. Be patient and be persistent. Early intervention is key to more successful outcomes.
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