Expert: Trey McGowan - 8/23/2010

Question
my 33 month old grandson exhibits some odd behaviours but his parents think i'm just being overprotective. for instance he carries around a little 'thomas the train' in his hand never letting it go, he lines up his toys in a row, he has a meltdown if we take a different route home screaming 'no go dis way, i no like this way'!!!  he will only eat certain foods such as kraft dinner or oatmeal, runs around in circles, and he used to move his hands as though he were talking sign language but doesnt do that as often as before. he has no problem looking me in the eyes whereas his 5 yr old brother absolutely will not ! his brother is being checked for ADHD but the dr says he shows some autism symptoms. if this is true then wouldnt the younger one be at risk of having it as well? the 5 year old is very hyper , will not sit still and will do things to his brothers or family pets to hurt them,such as stepping on their toes or hitting them or pulling their tail, the younger one isn't mean to others like  his brother is but he seems like he is regressing in his attitude as time goes on - he will babble waving his arms in the air as though he is a baby again, he will act like a baby, and in the car he will mumble to himself and it seems like he is in his own little world .  i'm worried cos i've heard the earlier diagnosed and started treatment , the better chance at stopping it from getting worse, but feel like up against a brick wall trying to convince his parents to have him tested. do you think i should let it go, or should i keep mentioning it to my son and daughter in law?

Answer
Hi there, Janet!

First off, I notice that you haven't mentioned what happens when you mention it to your son and daughter in law. May I ask, what's happened when it's been mentioned, and how did you mention it?

Waiting eagerly to hear more info on this one!

Trey