Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 6/7/2010

Question
I have a 2yr old hes gonna be 3 shortly. He is a very outgoing somewhat agressive everyone tells me hes just being a boy. I am so concernd tho he has just recently talking full sentences and their kinda hard to understand still uses words wrong. He has a hard time understanding us sometimes. He has a set routine for the day (somewhat my fault everybody tells me) and tv sch. certain blanket and cars he plays with in which if you disturb them its going to make for a long day. my son sometimes crys and screams and we don't know why and its getting harder everyday, im told i spoil him to much but thats not it I know its not. I took him to early intervention they referd me to the school dist. early intervention told me he didn't fit the criteria for their programs and his speech delay is from his hearing but he also had "red Flags of autism". I had a hearing eval. and he passed. I don't know where to go or what to do? he has an appt in mid July to further evaluate ? threw the school dist. I guess my question is is everybody right am I making something out of nothing. Every day is a new day with him some good and some hard. he seems to be going backwards in a few areas. he has a hard time feeding himself and as of the last month he has started having accidents in his pants he was fully potty trained. We can only watch certain shows movies or hes very upset sleep with certain blankets hates to be dressed unless its what he picks. I know I'm all over the place im just having such a hard time and no one to ask when you bring up autism for some reason everybody avoids the topic why?

Answer
Hi Melissa
Sight unseen, its hard to tell if your son has autism, but I can tell you that he is having some language delays in combination with sensory processing issues. These two "red flags" do often end up leading to a diagnose of autism.Plus you mention that he seems to be regressing-not a good sign. If I were in your position, I would find a developmental pediatrician and see what he or she says. If you don't have one in your area, try a psychologist who knows about autism or even a pediatric neurologist. I wouldn't leave it up to the school district as they seem to be missing something. He probably needs speech and occupational therapy to start.

I'm not saying he has autism. He may just have some slight issues that need to be worked with. But you do need to be proactive and find out what is going on. don't listen to anyone who is not a professional! Go with your instincts.