Expert: James Michael Roan - 1/23/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I wonder if my 10 month old daughter shows some early signs of autism.
My main concern is that she is not even trying to attract my attention to things she finds interesting, like dogs or other kids, or cars. If I ask her questions like "where is daddy?" or "where is a bottle?" she looks at the subject, then at me, smiles and that's it! It can't be blamed on poor hand-eye coordination because it's actually quite good for her age. She always looks at the things point to her, but won't do it herself. Last couple weeks my husband and i got serious about it and pointed at everything trying to set an example, now she occasionally may point at animal or person on the picture while reading a book and babble but doesn't seem to care if anybody else is looking at it. If she wants something she just reaches towards it no matter how far away  the thing is, if she can't get it on her own she will keep reaching and cry instead of pointing at it and asking.
She has no interest in babies but loves watching kids a little or a lot older than her, sometimes may attempt to touch or wave at them. When stranger talks to her she either gets friendly smiles and/or waves or acts like she is shy.

Otherwise she is absolutely normal happy baby. Answers her name 90-95  of the time , keeps good eye contact, loves to be carried, held and cuddle, claps her hands, waves, babbles a lot. Enjoys social games like hide and seek, rolling a ball back and forth with me. Most of the time she gives me a toy or some of her finger food if i ask for it and sometimes (rarely) on her own.
On one hand it sounds like I have nothing to worry about on other pointing is really important and I don't want to ignore this sign.

ANSWER: Hi Olga;

It sounds like her receptive language is O.K., however I am NOT a speech and language pathologist. It is just an observation. She sounds socially appropriate. The cut-off more or less for pointing is around 13-15 months. You can improve he social development and social thinking by following some examples laid out in Stanley Greenspan's DIR Floortime. I don't see any need to worry, but keep a close eye on her. I have included a list of "red flags for autism" for you to hang on the fridge:

6-12 Month Markers:

•   Infrequent eye contact
•   Failure to orient to name
•   Does not smile in response to smiles from others
•   Social and emotional passivity
•   Fixation on objects

By 12 Months:

•   Poor or no eye contact
•   Failure to orient to name
•   Poor imitation
•   No babbling by 12 months
•   No gesturing by 12 months

By 16 Months:

•   No single words by 16 months
•   No pointing to objects or events of interest in an effort to share

By 24 Months:

•   No spontaneous two-word phrases
•   Loss of any language or social skills at any age











Disclaimer:
While James Michael Roan has attempted to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, the information is provided in good faith without any express or implied warranty. The purpose of this web site is to provide information to families with children, teens, and adults with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delay. James Michael Roan does not prefer any one organization to another, and it is not responsible for the information listed on an organization's web site, or any disseminated information either verbal or written. Please be advised we are not giving medical advice and that circumstances can dictate different treatments. If these issues affect you or your loved ones you should seek professional advice. This site is operated for informational purposes only. At no time will James Michael Roan attempt to diagnose or dismiss a potential diagnosis over the Internet. We hope that you find my resources useful.



James Roan Bio

James Roan is a certified school psychologist who 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 (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. 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 disabilities. James Roan was the consulting psychologist responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.


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

QUESTION: Hi, James, thanks for prompt answer.
Although it looks i asked my question a little too early, yesterday she sort of started to point. I asked her "where is Daddy?" a few times and she would look at Daddy and then wave at him. Today in the morning she all of sudden started pointing, the problem is she points at things of no particular importance like floor or ceiling or picture on the wall that she has never paid any attention to until now, toys bottle, animals she won't point at.
I'm very confused now, is it a sign of a progress or regress or it's not a sign at all and she just imitates me?


Answer
Hi Olga;

Your daughter is probably imitating you, however, that is how we learn. We watch, copy, and through experience, incorporate new skills into our behavioral repertoire. Skills first learned are often inappropriate to some situations, but through feedback from others we shape our behaviors until they are appropriate. Imitation skills are usually quite low in an individual on the autism spectrum.

So, to answer your question: Yes, she is progressing. When point to things of interest to her, exaggerate you facial and voice and look back and forth to the object or activity. When she does it, get excited and begin a short dialogue about it. I'm sure she is fine and developing normally.

Kind regards,
James







Disclaimer:
While James Michael Roan has attempted to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, the information is provided in good faith without any express or implied warranty. The purpose of this web site is to provide information to families with children, teens, and adults with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delay. James Michael Roan does not prefer any one organization to another, and it is not responsible for the information listed on an organization's web site, or any disseminated information either verbal or written. Please be advised we are not giving medical advice and that circumstances can dictate different treatments. If these issues affect you or your loved ones you should seek professional advice. This site is operated for informational purposes only. At no time will James Michael Roan attempt to diagnose or dismiss a potential diagnosis over the Internet. We hope that you find my resources useful.



James Roan Bio

James Roan is a certified school psychologist who 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 (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. 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 disabilities. James Roan was the consulting psychologist responsible for many of the autism, AD/HD, and ADD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.