Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 9/3/2010

Question
Hi there.  I am Jan mum of 5. I already have a son with ASD
and one with ADD and I am very concerned about my 14 month
old baby.  Would it be ok for me to list the signs I have
noticed recently, and maybe you could give me your views?
He does not point at all, does not play turn taking
conversations, does not make eye contact with 'strangers'
and will only look at me for a very short time, he only says
da da da but never aimed at anyone, he is always watching
his hands and talking to them (dadadada), He does not  know
parts of the body or simple instructions, he doesnt seem
happy to see us if we have been away from him for a long
time (I took him away for a week and when he came back he
just glanced at his dad and looked away again!), He is very
sensitive to loud noises and strange textures (sand,
carpet), he is obsessed with the tv and toys that have nobs,  
He sits and flaps his hands and twists his wrists while
making grunting sounds for long periods, he will not be
distracted from what he is doing or theres tantrums, he is
not interested in other babies or adults, he doesnt laugh if
we are doing silly things... only when tickled, doesnt smile
back when smiled at.  He was a very whingy baby though...
not like my ASD son who was very quiet.  He is very quiet
now if left alone, which he loves.  He didnt sit up untill
he was 9 months and didnt stand or crawl untill 1 year but
he statrted walking 5 days ago!!  Only thing is he forgets
how to walk if we are not in our own house!  Sorry this in
long winded... I hope you can help put my mind at ease and
tell me I am not going mad.
Jan

Answer
Hi Jan

I can tell you that you are not going mad, but i don't know about putting your mind at ease. You list a lot of red flags for developmental delay and being that you have another with ASD, he is in a higher risk. The sensory, obsessions, lack of speech, flapping, lack of social awareness: These are all red flags. You really need to take him to get checked out immediately as we start interventions early these days.

So-you are not mad-astute actually. But I don't think you will be at ease until you start getting him going on some interventions.

Keep me in the loop and let me know how it goes.