Expert: Catherine Ridenour - 10/14/2009

Question
Hi Catherine

I have had concerns for my daughters development pretty much since she was about 12 months. I will list her issues for you, can you please advise what you think.

Her signs are as follows:
*Resists cuddles/kisses, although will occasionally put her head on my shoulder.
*No words not even mama/dada, but is babbling a couple of consonant's although her speech sounds are distorted by her tongue.
*Usually babbles to herself and often looks at her fingers from the corner of her eyes.
*Does not reciprocate in conversation and often appears to be talking to herself or at me.
*Does not comprehend when asked "where’s mama" or simple tasks.
*Occasionally waves hello/bye bye, although appears alittle confused.
*Flaps her hands when excited, anxious and sometimes when she is walking around, although has improved since implementing the GF/CF/DF diet.
*Rarely interacts or engages with close eye contact situations, but will approach and engage in non eye contact interactions.
*Doesn't make/maintain close eye contact - often appears to be looking through you, although her distant eye contact has improved since implementing the GF/CF/DF diet.
*Resist's her hand's being touched and often has tantrums when being dressed.
*Rarely points, has only pointed to a couple of pictures in a book with no understanding of what it is, has not pointed to anything from a further distance eg. car, framed pic on the wall or a bird.
*No imitating people but attempts to copy our cats meow noise.
*Excessive attachment to her wrap and focuses very intensively on the corner and makes stimming/humming sounds for long periods of time, once timed for 40 minutes before I intervened.
*Has started recently stimming during the day with an object or a toy, she only does this for short periods of time but she will do this a few times a day.
*Rarely responds to her name, often seems deaf at times.
*Cover's her ear/s when there is noise or when she cannot tolerate the environment (sometimes just normal house noise and if I touch her on the head or face area), although is improving since implementing the GF/CF/DF diet
*Often appears to be flicking her ears especially when she is sensitive or tired.
*No imaginative play as yet, appears to have more interest in mouthing objects. Has very little interest with her toys and when she does she is usually mouthing them.
*Has 3-5 loose bowel motion's most day's, although has improved dramatically since implementing the GF/CF/DF diet.
*Often prefers to be on her own, rarely seeks attention or allows intervention in her playtime.
*Has very limited attention to a task or activity and often becomes overstimulated with a lot of hyperactivity.

She has had her sight/hearing checked and both were good results. I appreciate your time and I look forward to hearing from you real soon.

Julie  

Answer
Hi Julie,

I try to soften these recommendations but it's hard in this case. You are right to be concerned. Your daughter needs a pediatric neurological evaluation as soon as possible.

I'm glad the diet is helping, stick with it, but it is not going to make up for the delays she is showing. She needs early intervention speech and occupational therapy. These will help her to begin catching up to her age peers.

I urge you to seek this right away. Wait and see is not a good idea, at this point.

Best wishes,
Catherine