Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 1/16/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello Valerie,

I have a child who is turning four in May. He does not speak in sentences yet. He recognizes pictures and name the words the describe them. He counts to ten. Know his ABC's. However, he keeps humming most of the time with running all over the house. He would do some quirky movements with his fingers and clinch on them hard. He responds very well to his name even if we are not in the same room. He understands simple directions like close the door, give me the phone, put this in the garbage. No unusual tantrums. Potty trained since he was two years and a half. Tells me when he wants to go to the bathroom, when he wants to sleep he will say nighty which means i have to take him to bed. When hungry will ask for food like ( banana, apple). He attends nursery, memorize all the rhymes, loves his teachers, does not play with children although he does not mind being with them doing an activity. Imitates me and his father all the time. But there is no imaginative play. Recently, he has started to relate much to his young sister who is 13 months old. He will go to hear and take her hands for them to play a farmer in his den. He was recently seen by a community pediatrist with experience in developmental delays. He assured us that he has ASD. He did not do any tests on him to see where is he in the spectrum. I feel a little bit disappointed because the doctor based his diagnoses on one session observation and i know that they are many tests out there that help at least in determining the severity of the case as Autism is a spectrum. My son is very responsive and loving to me. He looks like loving children but is not able to play with them or initiate a speech with them. He has some sensory issue like licking things but there is no unusual attachment to any toy. He plays fairly well with cars and teddies. My question here is if he is autistic, can you determine what level he is in? Do you recommend second opinion? please advice and than you very much

ANSWER: Hi Lubna

Though I am not able to diagnose autism, I can tell you that I agree with your pediatrician as your son does have many of the characteristics of autism. Have you started speech and occupational therapy yet? If not, that is certainly the first place to start. Research has demonstrated that children that get early services to get the best overall results. Also, does your school system provide any help?

I do private consultation via the Internet if you want to start a home program to help your son. Just let me know.

Keep in touch



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

QUESTION: Thank you Valerie for your fast response,
Actually he is attending the developmental center for four hours a week. It is really helpful and he has changed and improved a great deal. I hope that he will have a good prognosis. He is attending a regular setting ( school) so there is no structured activities like the ones in the developmental center, but they are in the process of providing him with one to one teacher. I would love to know how can i help my son at home. Do you think that his steady progress now will make him able to attend mainstream school or will he be in need of a special school. I am having a problem too with his behavior issues. I don't know how to control his constant humming and roaming around the house. I really appreciate your help. I am Jordanian by the way and residing in the UK right now. Forget to tell you that we speak Arabic at home and my son seems to understand more our language. Will being exposed to two languages  make it difficult for him to improve? please advice. Thank you

Answer
Hi Lubna

As I mentioned, I do private work for many families around the globe (see my website:valerieherskowitz.com) using Skype. If you would like me to help, just let me know. You can email me at info@valerieherskowitz.com

It's hard to predict if he will be in mainstream school at this point. Maybe eventually as many children with autism do. But some do not. So you will have to wait to see. Research indicates that he should receive 25 hrs minimum of direct instruction per week to maximize his potential.

The two language are an issue. Since you speak English well, I would recommend switching to English only if you have him in an English speaking school and are planning to stay in an English speaking country. If you are in the UK for just a short while and plan to return soon to Jordan, than of course, continue the Arabic and also get him speech therapy in Arabic.

Hope to hear from you