Expert: James Michael Roan - 9/18/2009

Question
Hello,
I have a son who is three years and four months. His problem is that he does not have much speech till now. I have also noticed some behavioral problems like humming instead of speaking. He also does some quirky movements of his fingers. He is a happy child, responds to my orders, says almost fifty words. when he wants something he will come to me and ask about it ( using one word sentence. example mama milk ) he has good eye contact with us as a family. He does not play with children in the nursery but at the same time he likes being around people. He does not play much with his toys but at the same time he has no obsessions of a special part of any of his toys. I noticed that he imitates me allot such as cleaning the floor using the broom. I caught him many times taking the broom and singing the song clean up clean up. He eats alone, sleeps very well. There are some red flags that I am concerned about which are his lack of social skills and his constant humming and finger movement in front of the TV for example. He does not through tantrums as he is really a well behaved child. DO you see any concerns too? Please advice.

Answer
Hi Lubna;

Please understand that I do not, at any time, attempt to diagnose or rule out a diagnosis or condition over the Internet.

Please describe in detail the finger movements. Are they off to the sides of his eyes? Meanwhile, download the M-CHAT at: http://www.firstsigns.org/downloads/m-chat.PDF

Take your time answering each question. Send me your answers with elaboration when necessary and I'll get back to you.

It's highly unlikely that he has classic autism but he may have high functioning autism, which will require a formal assessment by a multidisciplinary team or a psychologist expert in this area.

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 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.