Expert: James Michael Roan - 4/20/2008

Question
QUESTION: My son seems to be displaying signs of autism... at 23 months old, he is lining his toys/dvd's/boxes/etc up almost obsessively, he doesn't talk (he seems to say 3-5 different words sporadically, although we try so hard to work with him on his speech), he stacks things before eating them, he seems to have selective hearing (although I know his hearing is just fine). He won't always hear you say his name while sitting right next to you, he zones out, things along those lines. We just moved to a new state and don't yet have insurance or a pediatrician (I am working on both), so I am not sure if he needs to be seen by a specialist or not. Could this just be a phase, or should I make sure to get him to a specialist? Developmentally he has been right on target, except for the speaking. He still hasn't quite mastered the "dada" and doesn't associate dada or mama with either myself or his father. What else should I be doing, to work with him on speaking, and should I be concerned about autism?

ANSWER: Hi Kelly;

I need more information. Please download the M-CHAT and scoring instructions and let me know how he fares. Your school district is responsible for the assessment and service provision birth to 3 through the Early Intervention program. Call the special services/eduction department.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

http://www.utmem.edu/pediatrics/general/clinical/m-chat.pdf


http://psychlops.psy.uconn.edu/ED/downloads/M-CHATscoring.pdf


Kind regards,
James

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

QUESTION: Okay, I took the M-CHAT, and he failed 2 critical questions (responding to his name, which he does and doesn't do, and looking when pointing to toys). He also failed 5 non critical questions (being oversensitive to noise/plugging ears, looking at things you look at, trying to get your attention to his activities, staring at things for no reason and looking at your face to gage your reaction to new situations). My son is very affectionate and cuddly, and has no problem looking you in the eyes, but he seems to display so many other signs of autism. I'm really not sure, though, because I hear so many differing things. One day I hear autistic children can be affectionate, the next day I hear that they aren't affectionate. I don't know who to turn to to get him evaluated, either. Like I said, I'm new to the state, and not really sure who to call. Thanks!

Answer
Hi Kelly;

You will not know for sure unless you have him evaluated. When you locate a pediatrician, take the M-CHAT to him/her and request a referral for an autism assessment. Call your special services/education dept. in the school district in which you live. It should tell you in the front of the phone book. Ask them for the their Early Intervention subcontractor or they may provide those services themselves. Tell them you suspect language and social delays, possibly autism and take the M-CHAT with you. Children with high functioning autism are usually affectionate. He may not have autism and it may be a social delay. An assessment will clarify that for you.

Kind regards,
James