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Question
I am write to you as a concerned mother, i have 2 children, 1 is 4 and the other is 2. I would like to talk about my 4 year old son Harrison. We have had concerns regarding his behaviour and undefrdtanding for some time going back about 2 years. He does have imput from Speech and Lang. He seems to be a very angry child, he tip toes, he does not give eye contact at all. He lashes out at anyone, does not play with his brother at all. He has just started school and they are having problems with him hitting out and they have most recently told me that they are concerned that he has not made any friends and he is not mixing with other children. He laughs at me for no reason, when i am trying to tell him offor he goes off on one kicking and punching me. Please could you give me some advice on if you think like his parents that this could be an autism problem.
Thank you Debra Hughes
Hi there, Debra!
As I have said in the past, I am not a doctor. When it comes to giving a diagnosis in any way, I can't offer that. Only an actual expert, rather than an AllExpert, could give you that. Therefore, my suggestion to you is to bring him to someone who has experience in identifying and diagnosing these things. The psychologist option is *particularly* important as you say the child has been hitting and kicking. Even among ASD children, this can not be seen as acceptable behaviour, and needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible to avoid bodily harm to himself and others.
I'm not sure where you are located, but a look through Google can likely bring you to some doctors and societies that have experience in dealing with children with developmental disorders ,and potentially other behaviour experts to help curb the hitting. But I can't stress enough that I feel this needs to be dealt with. Lashing out can get too dangerous all over if the child learns that it is an acceptable way to handle things.
If you've got further questions, comments, feedback, follow-ups, feel free to send them my way!
Trey
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Answers by Expert:
Trey McGowan
Expertise
My primary expertise is in the area of the social, psychological, and mental development of Aspergers Syndrome and other high-functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorders. I am also very knowledgeable in the communication disorders and common co-existing issues. I'm well-read on most of these as well as having experienced it myself. Other aspects of autism, I can do fairly well at as well, from the oversensitivity to the recognition of it. Warning: I am *not* a medical professional, and while I can research answers through books and online, I can not give direct medical expertise.
Experience
I am 14 years diagnosed Asperger's Autistic, and have been reading up and studying it, as well as taking 'first hand accounts' for most of those 14 years. In addition, I have had three children, adopted elsewhere, all of whom are varying degrees of autistic from mid to high functioning. My mother has done some research on the subject as well, and passed some of it on to me.
Education/Credentials
I have completed grade school and most of high school, and achieved a GED. I've also received home schooling.
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