AboutValerie Herskowitz Expertise I am an autism expert and speech pathologist (for over 30 years). I am also the parent of a child with autism. I can answer any question on autism dealing with communication, education, behavior and diet. I cannot answer questions that are medical in nature or are dealing with medications.
Experience I have run a therapy center for individuals with autism since 1981. I lecture all over the country. I also teach classes on autism on line.
Organizations American Speech and Hearing Association,
Autism Society of America,
President of the National Autism Registry,
Vice President of the Association for Developmentally Disabled Adults and Adolescents.
Publications Autism Society of America's national publication (September 2008).
Advance Magazine,
South Florida Parenting,
Spectrum Magazine,
I am the author of: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology (available:www.valerieherskowitz.com)
Education/Credentials I have a masters degree in speech pathology
Awards and Honors I won a Stevie Award in 2004: Lifetime Achievement Award for my work with individuals with autism. My therapy center won, Judge's Choice Award Best Center in South Florida by South Florida Parenting magazine 2005.
Question QUESTION: My 12 month old son does a sort of wrist and finger twisting with has hand about 6 inches from his eyes and has done this since around 5 or 6 months old. Can this alone indicate autism?
ANSWER: To answer your question-that behavior by itself-no. But it is an unusual behavior. Does he do anything else at all that is odd? Or does he have tantrums, colic, reflux, does not responding to his name, does not have babbling, finicky with foods or clothing or has sound sensitivity?
That behavior alone is not a sign of autism-only if it was one characteristic of other issues.
Valerie Herskowitz, MA CCC-SLP
www.valerieherskowitz.com
Author: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology
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QUESTION: The only other issue is that he does not always respond immediately when you call his name if he is playing or watching a DVD and the daycare says he does not seem to play with other babies but he is not yet walking. He was sick with RSV, sinus and ear infections then chicken pox, one thing or another, for about 3 or 4 months and would not stay on the floor for tummy time. We think he did not begin to crawl until about 9 or 10 months because of this. He will stare at nothing but only for 15 or 20 seconds. He does play well and interact with parents and always greets parents and grandparents with a big smile and eye contact. Big smile and good eye contact when playing peek-a-boo. He crawls to follow parents from room to room or when playing. He lifts arms to be picked up. He eats and sleeps well and does not seem bothered by sounds or texture of clothing. He does babble. He does not wave. He does seem to understand how to play with his toys when shown. He loves animals. He will cry loudly when not happy but only for a minute or less. I would not consider that a tantrum. The hand stimming I mentioned in my first email he does when sleepy until he falls asleep, 10 or 15 minutes. He does it when upset and occasionally at other times but just briefly and can be fairly easily distracted from doing it.
Answer Well, lets watch him closely for the next 3-4 months. Now is the time that he would normally start saying a few words and walking. Possibly he is delayed in some ways from being sick a lot in the early months, so if he does not start to walk or talk in the next 3-4 months, you may want to get him checked out with a developmental pediatrician.
I wouldn't say that I would be particularly worried at this point, but I would be watching him closely over the next few months to be sure he starts developing speech and walking. This is the time you should be doing a lot of stimulation activities with him to get him going. Lots of auditory, motor and visual stimulation. Sometimes the children with a lot of ear infections and respiratory issues are speech delayed because their hearing wasn't too great from the infections in the early months. And that delay can cause a multitude of issues beyond just speech delay. So- you really need to work on stimulating him especially through the auditory channels.
Let me know if you want more help. I can always do a consult with you to give you some stimulation activities
