Expert: Catherine Ridenour - 3/1/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello Ms. Catherine

i have read a previous entry that you had answered. And my son is just like R.J.s. But in some ways different. Below is my story of my son and i place the questions u asked her in my comment.

My son Chrystopher is 2 1/2. He makes weird out of the ordinary sounds, he drags his head on the floor, very picky on what he eats and does. We think its possible O.C.D. but not sure just for the record. He also has to make sure everyhting is in the order he sees it, like for instance the stairs, the kids and other adults, place there shoes there and if they are not in right place or in the postion he will stop what he is doing and fix them. If we come in from outside, before he even gets his jacket off he will stop and fix the shoes, the worries about this. same thing thing happens at the doctors office, i took him to his plastic surgeon for his lip, and if something was out of place he would stop and fix it, and he doesnt know what they are or where they go, but there was a bunch of brochures that were out of place and he put them back where they go and so forth.

He also likes to be very fidgety. He has moments when he is passing hugs and kisses out and then he is trying to rip fingers and flesh off, espically the youngest one, I have had to take him to his doctor for biting and his doctor is afraid of dismemberment to one of the other kids. He has picked up banging his head against the wall.

This is the questions you had posted in another entry.. i hope this helps both of us out




Does the child play with his toys in a "normal" way, make car sounds and drive them around or just line them up?

My son will line th toys up in a row and if someone messes them up he gets really mad and starts screaming

Does he point to things he wants and look toward things that are pointed out to him?

He points out things he wants, but when it comes to things that are pointed out to him he doesnt really pay attention.

How is his speech? Does he repeat things that are said to him or answer questions directly?

If i say " I will not bite" he will go "i" "will" "not" "bite". but when i ask him a question he says no mommy or yes mommy

How are his motor skills? Is his balance good, does he run and hop like others his age?

not really sure on his motor skills, he can make 4 word sentences, not sure about balance, he runs but doesnt really hop, he rather drag his head on the floor or growls crawling on the floor

Does he get fascinated with spinning things or "zone out" often? he zones out sometimes, i dont think he sees a lot of spinning things

Tell me how he behaves when he does not think you are watching. Will he play with other children sometimes? No two year old shares well, but does the get the idea of give and take?

chrystopher does not play well with others at all, he does better by his self.  He does the same thing even when i watch him, he tries and pushes the other kids, the smallest one he torments, we have tried explaining the give and take and he dont comprehend that, we have tried telling him that when he drops a toy someone else picks it up he cant be mean



please help me, i have to take him to a therapist, i need all the i can get, we have tried solitude that has not worked!!

ANSWER: Hi Mary,

Thank you for taking the time to answer all those questions.

Based on what you tell me, your son should be evaluated for an autistic spectrum disorder, in particular, either high-functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome.

His obsession with order, his inability to have empathy for other children, his sudden switches from loving to hurtful, and his insistence no one touch his stuff all point in this direction. True, most two-year-olds have moments like this, but he is over the top.

Don't take "wait and see" for an answer. Early intervention is crucial.

Best wishes,
Catherine

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

QUESTION: m. catherine i am going top tak ehim to see his ped what should i show him or say can i get astatement from u to show him or should i jsut print off what i have shown u with ur statement

Answer
Just take him to the doctor. My statement will probably not mean much to a professional.

Tell him everything you told me. Tell him you are very worried. Ask for a referral to a developmental pediatrician or childrens psychiatrist who specializes in autism.