Expert: James Michael Roan - 4/8/2009

Question
My daughter is 17 months old.  She doesnt say any words.  No Mama! No Dada! She does gaga's.  Even sings gaga's (alphebet song).  When you try and ask her to talk she gets very mad like your affending her.  Yesturday we picked up a package to help teach you baby sign language.  She comprehends clearly without gestures.  She is very out-going.  Loves to hug strangers (not fond of that).  But we are very concerned about the lack of language.  Autism scares me to death.  She has great motor skills.  Runs, climbs.  She gets distracted very easily.  Hard to try and sit with her.  When we read she just likes to point to things and you say what they are.  If you say the wrong thing she lets you know.  

I would love some insight on this and my concerns.

Thank you so much.

Answer
Hi Swahili;

I would first consider a speech and language evaluation to rule out an expressive language delay/disorder. Other than that you have not provided me with any information to make me suspect the social and receptive language delays you see in an autism spectrum disorder.

Kind regards,
James



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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 psychologist 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.