Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 3/18/2010

Question
Hi,
  My son is 3 years of age and my husband and i are trying to determine if he has a form of autism or not.  Some of his symptoms are...he did not start talking until he was two(he is talking very well now), he will repeat things over and over and over again until he gets the answer he wants...He stares off alot of the time, it's like you can't snap him out of it. He will be looking right at you and just be staring off so bad you can't even talk to him...There are certain clothes that he refuses to wear, it's 60 degrees out and he wants to wear his winter coat! and throws the biggest tantrum, we almost have to trick him into wearing something else...he has a whinney the pooh blankey that he has had since he was born and loves it very much, but we noticed that he would put the edge of his blanket between his first and second finger(and it has to be on the pooh bear that in imbroidered on the edges of the blanked) and rubs and rubs until the inside of his fingers are raw! He plays very well with others, but will not contribute in roll playing activities.  He also loves to get on the computer, he does it all by himself, its amazing to see a three year old work a computer the way he does, and is obsessed with it!!  My husband and i placed him in a education center, that has helped allot, with his speech and social skills. So that is about it. Thanks,
Amber

Answer
HI Amber
You and your husband are quite astute. Your son is displaying some red flags that are characteristic of children who are on the spectrum. Here are the red flags:
1. late talker
2. staring off into space and not being able to snap him out of it
3. clothing sensitivity
4. tantruming when he can't have something just the way he wants it
5. rubbing his blanket in just a certain spot until his fingers are raw
6. not contribute in roll playing activities
7. good on the computer and obsessed with it

Well- that kind of sums up your son just the way you wrote me. In other words, all the things you wrote are red flags.  

He is young and needs special help. I highly recommend that you start with him right away as he will be able to make a lot of gains being a young person. Plus there are many things that you can do with him at home to help him.

If you want to talk to me about it and perhaps set up a consultation for me to give you some tips on a home program that you can do, just email me at info@valerieherskowitz.com

If you just want to talk about it, that's fine, too. I am available today for a little chat. My phone number is 954-980-0134