AboutJames Michael Roan Expertise Expertise: Expertise: I can provide information on autism and Asperger`s syndrome. I cannot and will not attempt to diagnose at any time. I can answer general questions related to assessment and educational planning.
Experience I have specialized in the area of autism for nearly 9 years.
Education/Credentials M.Ed. School Psychology
M.Ed Adult Education
Past/Present Clients Children aged 2-18 diagnosed with autism, Pdd-NOS, and Asperger's Disorder.
Question QUESTION: Hi, I'm the mother of a son who just turned 11 months old and have been paranoid about autism since his birth. My husband's uncle had autism and so it's made me kind of concerned.
I'm a stay at home mom, so the only interaction with other kids he gets is on Sunday mornings if there is room in the nursery.
He does not wave bye yet. I'm wondering if this is something to be concerned about. We don't really leave him that often though and don't wave very much - so maybe it's because it's just something he hasn't been taught?
He babbles quite a bit and says dada or more precisely dadadadada and the occasional dad and said mama yesterday, but we aren't sure he's associated the names with us yet - I thought I saw somewhere he was supposed to be calling us that by now. He makes a bunch of other sounds too...lalala...gagaga...goo, etc. Occasionally it sounds like he says hi. But we're not sure.
He responds to his name most of the time. He definitely understands no. Sometimes he stops and turns around if I call his name and tell him no, other times he looks at me mischievously and does it anyway.
He is very smiley and always laughs. He has very good eye contact most of the time. He smiles at strangers all the time and seems comfortable with others - except the maintenance man for some reason...when he comes around he clings to me for dear life. We do play games together, he will push a ball back and forth with me and if it veers off and I tell him to go get it, most of the time he will. He loves to play chase. He'll look at me squeal and start crawling away. He doesn't like to be alone. He's ok if he crawls into another room, but if we leave he follows us or cries if he happens to be in his exersaucer and can't follow.
He can pull up to standing using the wall or any other object. He doesn't stand alone yet - he did once for a few seconds but that was it.
He does this arm and hand flapping thing and leg kicking when excited. That's what go me really nervous. He has this toy that you smash a button on the top and makes these balls inside bounce around and he got so excited and it seemed like he was almost shaking. Is that something to worry about?
We have serious feeding issues. He won't hold his own bottle - at least not for very long. Dislikes all sippy cups we've tried. He will not feed himself. He's taken one bit of a graham cracker and one bite of bread by himself and that's it. He doesn't seem to like the texture of anything other than pureed - he is ok with somewhat chunky puree though. Other than that he gags. He also doesn't stick things in his mouth like most kids. Sometimes he does, but not often. He has a very good pincer grasp, but mostly just plays with his food, throws, pushes around, smashes and occasionally just ignores it.
He likes to open and clothes drawers and unfortunately pull out the contents in them, pull on cords, pull down floor plants, lamps, books off shelves...at least before I blocked them off from him.
He sleeps well and seems happy most of the time. He doesn't point too much. When we are reading he'll sometimes point to things in the book. But if I say point to the moon sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't. He doesn't really point to ask for objects either, he'll just try to go get it himself. Like if a book is on a chair and he wants it, he'll pull himself up and reach for it till he gets it.
He does not like it if we are on the phone. He could be playing by himself and then all of a sudden he will crawl over use my pants legs to pull himself up and try to grab the phone and press the buttons or start yelling and making loud noises.
He hates the vacuum, it makes him scared. He used to love ceiling fans...we moved out of our apartment with one when he was 3 months...so I'm not sure if he is still fascinated or not. He does like lights though and will look at each light in the hallway as we walk down it.
he loves being outside and exploring. He is very adaptable. We've been on 2 plane trips, he's stayed in several hotels sleeping in various beds and we've moved once and seems to take everything in stride.
We try not to turn on the tv too much, but when we do he likes to stare at it. I'll make efforts to block it so he can't see it and he'll stand and crawl around till he finds a small spot to look. I usually end up turning it off, but sometimes he'll watch for a few minutes.
Sorry this is long, rambling and disorganized. I guess I'm not sure what is cause for concern and what isn't. I just hear about other kids feeding themselves, waving bye, pointing more, walking, talking more and it makes me nervous. He only clapped a little just today and my friend's son who is 3 weeks younger did that a few weeks ago.
Should I be worried or am I being paranoid?
Thanks for your help.
ANSWER: Hi Anna;
I have some mild concerns. You should call the special education/services department in your school district. Their Early Intervention Birth-to-three program is responsible for testing and serving children aged 0 to three at their expense. I would definitely limit television as much as possible. At the evaluation intake meeting mention the gag reflex.
You mentioned 3 or 4 behaviors that caught my interest but do not by themselves mean your son has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi, thanks for your quick response. Do you mind telling me which behaviors I mentioned in particular should we be concerned about? I noticed today I was wrong on a couple of accounts...I guess he's over his vacuum fear. A few months ago he would scream when it was on, so I'd wait till he's asleep to vacuum. Today, I vacuumed while he was awake and he was fine with it. The other thing is it seem she is pointing. I picked him up and he used his index finger to point to point and touch his bottle when he wanted it. So I think I'm not too concerned about the pointing anymore at least. Does the gag reflex have to do with autism to? It's really stressing me out. Thanks!
Answer Hi Anna;
The concerns I noted was:
1. Opening and closing doors.
2. Hypersensitivity to vacuum/hoover noise.
3. Interested in ceiling fans (spinning).
4. Flapping/arm waving.
5. Likes lights.
The gagging "may" be interfering with speech production, which is the territory of speech and language pathologists (SLP).
These behaviors are observed in typically developing children as well as those with mild autism. He is very young so it is hard to tell and an evaluation would be limited to a social assessment and oral motor/ oral sensory assessment rather than an autism assessment.
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.
