Expert: James Michael Roan - 10/16/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a 6 year old daughter with Autism.  To this day she does not speak, or have any sort of functional communication with us.  I also have a 4 year old daughter, typical functioning and a 16(almost 17)month old son.  My son is active, inquisitive, he watches everything, wants held, plays with toys, has great gross & fine motor skills, interacts well with my 4 year old and also my husband and I.  I wouldn't be worried about his development if it weren't for his lack of speech.  He has said on occassion "mama" and "dada".  However, most of his communication revolves around "squeals", pushing me to what he wants, or just trying to get it himself.  I've managed to get him to point twice.  I can't get him to wave "bye", or bring me his sippy cup when I ask.  He will bring it to me when he wants something, but not when I ask him to do it.  The things he does are far more advanced than my daughter ever was.  However, I know that there are differing degrees of Autism. I have my Help Me Grow people telling me that he should have a vocab of 5 words by now, and my Pediatrician saying not to panic yet.  I'm not sure what I should be thinking right now.

ANSWER: Hi Stephanie;

You have an adorable family!

Don't "wait and see." Have him evaluated as soon as possible. If you live in the U.S. call the special education department at your school district and make a referral to their Early Intervention program. Communication delays will cause social delays so it is difficult to tell at this age whether you are looking autism or a communication delay. In any case, the interventions are very similar.

How does he look around others his age? What does he do at parties or gatherings where there are others his age? Any quirky behaviors?

Kind regards,
James



Please keep in mind that at no time am I diagnosing anything nor am I ruling out any potential condition, just providing guidance and direction.


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.






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Andy watches the other children for a while before he joins in (he isn't around many his age).  The one little girl his age that he does play with is more vocal and does display the gesturing.  Andy will watch her, then generally take away her toy, then she'll take it, then he'll take it, etc.  I haven't seen any odd behaviors, no flapping, toe walking, hand wringing, etc.  He does like to take things out of the cupboards, and then put them back.  Not sure if this is odd since my 4 year old did the same thing.  He does play wonderfully with my 4 year old, he follows her everywhere.  He laughs and squeals when he sees her, and runs to her.  His eye contact is good, and he is especially clingy with me.  My Autistic 6 year old was happy to be left alone for hours.  Andy is not like that.

Answer
Hi Stephanie;

It's still hard to say. Your last email didn't alarm me and he sounds ok. He is a little young for any of the reliable autism screening instruments for high functioning autism. The M-CHAT starts at around 18 months. He's close but you may get a false positive if you administer it now. In my experience, the only distinguishing factor at this age is parallel play with same-aged peers. Even then, communication delays will often result in parallel play as well.

I would have his social and communication development evaluated.

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.