AboutJene 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.
Question Two months ago I had my son evaluated by my state's early intervention program because I was worried about my son's language development. They gave him an overall assessment and said he was developing appropriately and did not qualify for services but I'm still concerned. Sorry that this is so long, he just really has me confused.
What still worries me:
- He has 50+ words but only a few two word combo's like "hi daddy, nana shirt, momma up", etc. He has no pronouns and seems nowhere near being able to form real sentences.
- He takes people's hand to bring them where he wants to go. He doesn't freak out if you don't go with him but he does this multiple times a day.
- He seems to like to play with non-toy things, like remotes, telephones, dvd players, things with buttons. Not for long periods of times but he seems to prefer things like that to toys. He also really likes rocks and coins. He's not obsessive with them but if we're out and he sees rocks he likes to pick them up and he often asks me for "money?" to see if I have any coins in my purse or pocket.
- He always points out certain noises, like planes flying by or birds chirping.
- He often doesn't stop doing things when I tell him no and he screeches to express displease when we try to enforce rules.
- He has a high activity level. He doesn't seem to sit still often.
- He stuffs food in his mouth. He never takes one piece of food at a time, it’s always a mouth full.
- He doesn’t seem too interested in kids his age. He plays better with kids a little older and adults.
- He tries to say hi to strangers in public and get their attention but only if it’s his idea. He acts very shy and will sometimes even let out a squeal if someone approaches him and it wasn’t his idea.
There are a bunch of things that seem positive though too like:
- He has great eye contact, with family members and people he just met.
- He is easily calmed down when he is upset.
- He's becoming more and more interested in other kids.
- He doesn't seem to mind different textures. He eats all different kinds of food.
- He does pretty well with changes in routine.
- He's fine with loud noises and large groups of people.
- He loves attention. He brings me things that interest him. He'll look at what I point to.
- He has a stuffed bunny that he is very attached to and he pretends to feed him, etc.
- He loves reading books. He’ll sit on our lap for half hour before bed while we read books to him. He becomes really attached to certain ones for a while but then a few weeks later, he’ll be really into a different book for awhile.
- He’s very curious, loves going new places and the same places.
- He’s super attached to me, his dad, his nana and papa, his cousins and his aunt and uncle. He would prefer to be with all of us every day.
- He doesn’t line things up or spin things repetitively. Actually he prefers to mess everything up by taking it all out of a box or gathering up all his stuffed animals in a pile and diving into them.
I tend to be an anxious person who obsesses over things, especially health related. Everyone else that knows him thinks he’s fine and that I’m worrying for nothing but I always hear things about mommy’s intuition. Do you think I should request a referral from my pediatrician (who thinks he’s fine) to see a developmental pediatrician or should I just try to relax? Thanks so much for your help!
Answer Hi Kerry,
I can see that you are a very diligent mom. I know it's hard not to worry but I have to say that there is nothing you've written that indicates that your son is on the autism spectrum. Actually, he seems totally the opposite. The positives aspects you mentioned sound absolutely on target. He is very social and sounds like an absolutely delightful little boy.
I absolutely get that you have some concerns. All young kids have some strange quirky behavior. Most of the time, they mature and this behavior is shaped into something more appropriate. Since you've already had him evaluated, I have to think they they looked at the whole picture and found that the concerning aspects you wrote about were far overshadowed by the skills and positives that your son displays.
I do believe in "mommy intuition" as well as "mommy worry." Being a mother myself, sometimes it's hard to figure out which one is at play. If I were in your shoes, I would give it another few months. If you're still concerned, go and see a developmental pediatrician rather than Early Intervention. Make sure you do this before he turns three. If he qualifies for any type of service, early intervention will need to provide it with your doctors recommendations.
I would like to address some of your concerns as I know these are weighing on you. Although he doesn't have a lot of speech, it's great that he's putting words together in a way that makes sense. In other words "Momma up" is the start of a sentence. Once he gains more speech I think it'll come easily to him. He's probably dragging you to places because he doesn't have the speech to ask for everything he wants. This behavior should fade as he learns to express himself verbally. When he drags you to a place, make sure you give him the words such as "want juice" if he takes you to the fridge. I don't think his attention to noises is concerning at all. It's unusual that he doesn't play with a lot of toys but considering all the other aspects, I don't find it worrying. They used to sell a geology set for little kids. I think it was made by Discovery. Perhaps he will have interest in science toys rather than interactive or imaginative play. He seems to have a very keen mind. Nothing else that you mentioned in your concerns sound worrying to me since they are not obsessive and all consuming.
In summary, I definitely recommend you go to a developmental pediatrician in a few months if you still have concerns. If anything, at least it will set your mind at rest. If I had to take a guess, I'd say that your son is developing just fine.
