Expert: Paul Johnson - 4/17/2010

Question
QUESTION: My two and half year old son is not speaking a word,doesn't point his finger,doesn't respond to his name and is diagnosed as ASD.I want to know how can i teach him at home and shall i put him to a normal preschool? When can he talk?

ANSWER: Hey Nishi,

Thank you for your question.

You son sounds to me like he has full Autism. As such I think more information is needed about his deficits before a home schooling regiment can be prepared. I think likewise his normal preschool program would have to have a clearer conception to the full nature of his deficits and delays before a school approach can be made.

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QUESTION: Thanks for your response!My son also has ADHD and runs around all day,now from a month he has calmed down a bit.He even makes eye contact more often now.He takes me by hand and puts my hand on the thing he wants.He is not potty trained.he smiles when he sees other kids but does not share a play.He hugs me a lot and tries to kiss me but can't make the kissing sound.he can't spit water out of his mouth.he likes swings and slides in the park.Please clear that is my son on high functioning ASD or low functioning ASD? i would be grateful for your answer.

ANSWER: Hey Nishi,


Thank you for your important and relevant question. No where in your two questions do I have an indication as to your son's speech. I would like to know what level he is communicating on. How is his language and how well does he communicate with the people around him ? The question of high functioning Autism versus low functioning Autism revolves around language. as Low functioning Autism is thought as a person with out an adequate ability to communicate. The ability to use language correlates greatly to what is commonly thought of as Intellectual ability or IQ. For a diagnosis of low functioning Autism an individual has to function with a below average or low IQ.

Thus his ability to communicate will be the greatest indiction of his functioning level.

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QUESTION: Dear Paul,
Thanks for yr reply!
My son doesn't speak a word, he makes different sounds from his mouth but nothing makes sense. He spoke three words like Mama-Papa and catch when he was one year old but now no word.He understands everything i say like when i say come to bathroom, he stands near bathroom.He has started responding to his name 70%times in the last 15 days.But i would like to know when can he speak and go to school?What all can I do?Is he on low functioning ASD?What future can i expect for him?
Thanks again for yr help!

Answer
Hey Nishi,

Yes it does appear that your son is on the low end of the functioning range for individuals with Autism. I would read and talk with him every change I get. The use of language around him not only familiarizes him to language, but it gives him a clear indication of what is expected of him.
I am sure he will begin speaking but it will be on his schedule. my hunch is that the language expression will be used more closer to the time where he is to begin school. I do believe that the use of language will be his best predictor of future success.

Good luck.