Expert: James Michael Roan - 1/8/2009

Question
My daughter is 6 yrs old and has possible autism/aspergers. Paediatrics are currently saying she is too young to diagnose - wait till 7 or 8.  My daughter has many issues/anxieties, she is much better when we stick to a routine. We manage everything ok and all has been quite calm/stable for the past 6/12 months, however my question is why does she not play with toys - is this related to autism?  She has many lovely toys which very rarely see the light of day, it breaks my heart.  She likes to draw sometimes but that is about it.  Some of the toys she just got for Xmas have not come out of the boxes yet, she just doesn't seem interested in toys.  Is there something I am doing wrong or is there anything I can do to encourage/help her?

Answer
Hi Karen;

Your daughter is the perfect age to diagnose. Many children on the spectrum lack a certain degree of abstract or symbolic thinking. This negatively affects their ability to engage in hypothetical think, which is necessary for pretend play. These children often prefer the sciences such as the study of dinosaurs, the solar system, or mathematics to name a few.

Let me know if you have any other answers.

Kind regards,
James













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.


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