Expert: Tim Runner - 4/15/2010

Question
Hi Tim,
My 25 month old son has not started talking yet. We have him booked in for an assessment next month but I found the m-chat checklist online and he does fail a couple.
No. 6 & 7 are about pointing which he doesn't do at all. If he wants something he will just try and grab it and today he went and got his empty water bottle out of his bag and brought it to me to fill it up, but he doesn't point. And no. 15 I'm not sure about, if I put a toy he likes in a room and then take him to that room and point at it he will run over and get it.. but I don't know if it is because I pointed to it or if he just saw it.
Everything else he passes, for example if he is busy doing something and I say horsey he will come running over to be bounced on my knee. If I say come and find me, he will start playing hide and seek with me. He looks me in the eye plenty of times.. if he is doing something naughty he will keep looking around to see if I'm watching and will give a cheeky grin. If I clap to a song he will clap, etc, etc.

I've heard that pointing normally comes before talking so I'm hoping that is just the reason why he doesn't point at the moment because he doesn't talk. He just babbles or grunts.

Appreciate your help.

Cheers,
Andrew

Answer
Andrew,
I'm not a fan of trying to use some kind of check list to make diagnoses, especially for something as important is Autism. Only a medical professional experienced in diagnosing and treating Autistic children can make a valid assessment. I suggest that you have this done, if you have not already scheduled this. You indicate that you are planning to have your son assessed, but you don't say what kind of assessment. He obviously needs an assessment by a speech pathologist since he is not speaking. While this can occur in kids that are Autistic, it can also happen in non-Autistic kids as well. I represent many students that are bright but are speech delayed. They typically make good progress with therapy.

I wish you and your son all the best,
Tim Runner
Advocates for Kids
email: timrunner@cox.net
website: www.special-education-answers.com