Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 7/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi
My granddaughter is 13 months old.  She screams all the time.  She doesn't say any words either.  She is really hyper too.  Could these be signs of autism.

ANSWER: The answer to your question is Yes, it could mean autism as not talking, hyperactivity and screaming are signs of autism at that age. I have a few questions for you. Send this email back with the answers and we can go a little further to see what's going on with her:
1. Does she "talk" using baby talk. In other words, when she is playing, is she having baby talk conversations that sound like talking but are just babbling sounds?
2. Does she come when you call her?
3. Does she listen when you say "NO"
4. Does she recognize the names of family members? So when you say, mommy's here, she turns her head to her mommy?
5. Does she play pat-a-cake and peekaboo?
6. Does she sit still long enough to listen to someone reading her a story?
7. Is she finicky with what she eats? Her clothing?
8. Does she have trouble doing something new?
9. Does she line up items
10. Does she have repetitive behaviors?

Valerie Herskowitz, MA CCC-SLP
www.valerieherskowitz.com
Author: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology


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

QUESTION: to answer the questions above.
1. no
2. I took her to the park one day and tried to make some pictures.  I would call her by name so she would look at me to make the pictures.  I could not get her to look up at me.  It was just like she didn't even hear me.
3. most of the time no. I can ask her to take something to put in the trash can and she will.
4. yes
5.  she doesn't do it herself.  She will let you hold her hands to do pat-a-cake.   I play peekaboo with her and she will laugh but doesn't use her hands over her eyes.
6.  only if the story is very very short. You can't hold her attention very long.
7.  She actually eats pretty good.  There are some things she want eat.  Not picky about clothes.
8.  not sure about that. I'm not with her every day.
9.  No
10. yes

Answer
HI Betty
Out of the 10 questions I asked, your answers revealed another 5-6 possible red flags. So to add that to the other 3 you discussed in your last email, I would say you should be thinking along the lines of a developmental issue, possibly autism. Whether the health care professionals in your area diagnose at this age or wait until she is older, I can't tell you. However, I would say that you at least need to start a stimulation program to get her going in the area of attention and focusing, language comprehension and communication. If you want me to help you with this, let me know. I don't know if you visited my website (www.valerieherskowitz.com) or not, but you will see that this is something that I do.
Also, do you have an agency in your town that deals with the 0-3 population? They may be able to help you. Call the school system or health department. The program is called Early Intervention. See if they have that in your town. You didn't mention where you are from.