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Autism - 2 year old Aspergers or just normal toddler behavior?
Expert: James Michael Roan - 10/27/2009
Question
Hi, I am concerned my 2 year old may have Aspergers - most of the symptoms I read about describe him almost exactly.
He is 27 months old and has a huge vocabulary. He started talking around 12 months old, no real babbling prior to just saying words. He now speaks in 5-10 word sentences. He also has an amazing memory, can identify all his letters and numbers, counts to 20, can sing his ABCs. I've said he could probably memorize the encyclopedia if I could put it into song form.
In addition to those wonderful things, I am concerned about the following:
- Extremely sensitive to loud noises. Ever since he was a few months old I noticed he has a much more dramatic reaction to loud sounds than other babies, etc. Now he gets so worked up about the trains being "loud" that he'll talk about it before and for some time after, like he just can't get it out of his head. He'll also cover his eyes when a noise scares him.
- Melts down at large, loud places. We're not sure if this is the loud factor, or the strange place/people factor, or all 3
- Sucks his thumb on and off all day, and when he's trying to fall asleep.
- He likes to line up his cars
- He likes to play with is cars on his knees, with his head on the floor and sucking his thumb. He mostly does this at home, but I have seen him do it in other play situations.
- He is a great sleeper, has been since birth. He sleeps alone in his crib and often will wake up and lay there talking/singing to himself. I sometimes wonder how long he'd stay in there alone. Sometimes when I go to get him up he does not want to get up. I drag him out of the crib and the tantrum is a pretty quick one.
- He seems to understand about using the potty and sometimes we can get him to sit on it, but so far has never gone to the bathroom on the potty. I don't feel like any progress is being made.
- His tantrums usually occur when something doesn't go his way. For example his train track comes apart and he can't get it fixed by himself; he doesn't want to stop playing with his trains to leave the house.
Am I just an over-concerned mom with a normal toddler or dose he sound Aspergers to you?
Thanks!
Answer
Hi M!
Please understand that I do not, at any time, attempt to diagnose or rule out a diagnosis or condition over the Internet.
Well, he is obviously very intelligent! In order to attempt to separate out Asperger's syndrome (AS)behavior from the behaviors you reported, we need to address his social behavior around others his age. I will not attempt to determine whether he does or does not have AS, but I'll be in a better position to recommend next steps. How does he interact with others his age? In detail please.
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 our resources useful.
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 assessment professional 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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