	AllExperts > Autism
	Search

About Jene Aviram
Expertise
How do you know if your child has autism? If you're concerned about your child's behavior and would like to know if they're symptoms of autism, I can help you. If you need behavior and parenting strategies, I have many suggestions and ideas to help you. I can also help you with questions on ABA therapy. I cannot answer biomedical questions.

Experience
I am one of the co-founders of Natural Learning Concepts, a manufacturing company for autism and special education materials. I am an author and writer and my work on the autism spectrum is frequently published by many organizations and renowned magazines. My son has Aspergers and my nephew has autism.

Publications
Autism/Aspergers Digest Autism Society of America Autism Today Issue Spirit Magazine The Autism Perspective Magazine Yahoo News Parenting Magazine

Education/Credentials
My original background and education is computer network engineering. A turn of events led me to switch careers in early 2000 when my passion and driving force became helping people on the autism spectrum. I then co-founded a successful company that helps people on the autism spectrum every day.

You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Parenting Special Needs > Autism > hi

Autism - hi

Expert: Jene Aviram - 10/20/2009

Question
Hi I'm worried about my son that he may have autism and have had concerns since he was about 9 month here is the list why
- hits the side of his head with his hand(its the right side all the time)
- sleeps a lot but when awake he doesn't cry just lies there or try's to go back to sleep.
- the table has to be clean in front of him knock everything off units
- cant use a spoon
- crawled at 13 half month
- hits, bites, head buts, smacks, pinches, and throws things if you get to close
-doesn't bother with other children.
- doesn't give eye contact if you get near him/or tell him no
-doesn't walk
-says ma ma, da da and screams if you ask him to say a word.
- doesn't like toys being together/wont build they have to be apart
- doesn't point.
-has a very bad temper if he doesn't get what he wants e.g. food, toys etc
-loses his balance while sitting, standing, and crawling.
-like to sit on his own/and doesn't really like to play with toys.
This is my second child and although she is very advanced(walked at 8 half month etc)my son has been having physiology as he couldn't sit up from lying down until 12/13 mth and there excises have got him to crawl, and i have worked with children for 9 years and he does not seem to be 'normal'(sorry to use that word)

please help am i just being paranoid

thanks
Leanne Robinson

Answer
Hi Leanne,

I can see that you're concerned about your son and I'm impressed at how much time you've taken to observe and describe his behavior.

Your son is still young but he does display some unusual behaviors. Some of them sound like sensory issues which are easy to fix with some good OT. Others like limited eye contact, little interest in toys and no interest in his peers are all flags for a developmental delay.

Have you spoken to your pediatrician about your concerns? It seems that your son would benefit greatly from a full evaluation. This way he'll receive any services he needs such as OT, speech or play therapy.

Although your son is young, I'd like to refer you to some links. One of them is the MCHAT. This test is really for 18 month olds. After the test, it will tell you which questions were most important. The link is http://www.nlconcepts.com/autism-mchat.htm

Another article I recommend you read is called "How do you know if your child has autism?" Although it's written for kids starting at 18 months old, it might give you an idea of what it looks like to be on the spectrum. You can read it here http://www.nlconcepts.com/autism-howdoyouknow.htm

It's impossible to diagnose over the Internet and I know you've left out all your son's strengths because you're concerned about the other factors. That's why a thorough evaluation will give you a full picture. It sounds like your son will benefit from services. The sooner you begin, the sooner he can start catching up to his peers. Please ask your pediatrician who you should call for early intervention.

I hope this has been of some help.

Jene Aviram
http://www.nlconcepts.com

Add to this Answer Ask a Question