Expert: Paul Johnson - 5/5/2008

Question
I just wrote that my daughter is about to turn three and that she flaps her hands when she is excited and often jumps.  She has a temper and has been hitting on recent playdates.  Another thing that she does is what I just read can be termed "jargon".  She talks nonstop.  Much, much of it, you can understand.  Some of it is made up words.  Long streams of made up words.  She also sometimes walks on her toes.  She is not anti-social in any way.  She talks to everyone we pass in the grocery store.  She makes eye contact unless I am scolding her for something.  Please someone tell me if I should worry.  If so, how do I proceed if my pediatrician is telling me these are her mannerisms and not to worry.  Can autisim get worse?  Can my beautiful social girl disappear?

Answer
Hey Stephanie,

Thank you for your important question. To be sure you have done your homework and is well versed in some of the Autistic traits. Yes your daughter display some characteristics that we would normally associate with those on the Autism Spectrum of Disorders.

Naturally I am not prepared to diagnosed your daughter through the internet however I wish to share with you that she may have some of the higher functioning aspects of the Autism spectrum, like Asperger's Syndrome.

Only a trained clinician knowledgebale with Autism can make an accurate diagnosis. If your daughter is diagnosed as being on the spectrum she will be thought of as having these characteristic all of her life. Autism does not get worse. The way I thought as a child I thought in my teen years in my thirties and today. My behaviors are likewise linked. Your daughter may have a certain set of thoughts and behaviors that in my oppinion makes her unique and special. Many many vital contributions were given to the world by individuals on the spectrum.

I was diagnsed at the age of 46. How many doctor examinations did I have over the course of 46 years? Do not be discuraged until you feel your child's needs are being addressed. Your child will always be social. She might just be doing it in ways that make sense to her only; And this is okay. She loves people but may not not know the perfect way of having it socially accepted.

Please let me know how this is resolved.