Expert: Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell - 12/4/2009

Question
Hello
I have a 2.2 y/o son who is still not taking yet. The only word he said was "mama"when he was 1.8 y.o. His behaviors were fine until when he was about 20 months old. He stops eating the banana, strawberries or avocado which he used to eat and now likes the eat nơodle chicken soup or pasta soup with no vegetable. When held, he scratches my face and throw out my glasses even when he was not upset. He would lie on the flơor and bang his head onto it when he was upset or when he was not given what he wants. He also hit both sides of his head using his fists when he doesn't like something or when someone comes into his rơom. At night, he likes to suck on his thumb and likes to hold onto the small plastic ice cream cover with the other hand as something comforting before he can go to slêep. He would drag my fingers to where he wants me to get or do for him like draging me to the refrigerator or wants me to get something for me. He likes to close or open the bedrơom dơors and likes the play parts of the objects of similar shapes such as coins, pack of straws which he likes to sort out the size and colors. He likes to roam around the house and find things that interested as his toys. when he gets bore of those objects, he would toss them out and make a big mess. He likes to turn on and off the lights and the TV. When I pointed the objects in the bơok such as the telephone, he would go and get me the phone in living rơm without me asking him to. Are these behavior abnormal or are they autistic behaviors. Please advice. Thanks a lot.
Angela


Answer
Hi Angela,

I can see why you are concerned.

Why there are some two year olds who may engage in some of the behaviors you describe, when you look at them collectively, no I do not think what you are observing in your child is typical. Here are a few things that jump out to me as worrisome:

- his behaviors changes when he was about 20 months old
- at age two, he is not talking
- he dislikes being held and reacts strongly to this closeness
- the item he chooses to sleep with for comfort is different than most 2 year olds would select
- rather than asking for what he wants, getting it himself or pointing to it, he drags your hand
- you describe repetitive actions such as opening/closing doors, flicking switches
- playing with objects in an unusual way by sorting, or focusing on the parts of the object

You describe these things quite well. What you have written would be useful for your physician to see.

If you go to the First Signs website and register (at no cost) you can watch short video clips of kids who are developing typically and of kids of the same age who have autism or autistic tendencies. Here is the website address: http://www.firstsigns.org/asd_video_glossary/asdvg_about.htm

Here is a free online questionnaire you can take. If you click on your response for each question then at the bottom of the page hit the Score button, you will receive the results. If you print out a copy of your responses then the scores questionnaire, it might provide good information to your doctor. http://www.childbrain.com/pddassess.html

At this next link you will see the short Checklist for Autism in Toddlers screener test (http://depts.washington.edu/dataproj/chat_pv.html). Again, this would be a useful paper to take to your doctor.

Your son is just a little guy. Early intervention helps. I realize that getting a diagnosis can be scary but the sooner you know what you are dealing with, the sooner you can begin helping your child grow and develop to his potential.

Best wishes,

Sharon A. Mitchell, B.A., B.Ed., M.A., Ph.D. candidate
www.autismsite.ca