Autism/16 month old

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Expert: - 9/22/2010


Question
My daughter is 16 months old and im getting concerned about her development. She hasn't said one word yet and her daycare teacher said that she likes to play with herself and needs to be held half of the time. The past couple of days she wakes up crying in the middle of the night and shes not eating that much, she's being really picky. Are these symptoms of Autism? She is also having real bad separation problems with me her mother at times she doesn't even won't to go to her dad. I'm just really worried and if I need to just take her to the doctor or maybe a specialist.

Answer
Hi Debbie

You do need to take your daughter to see either a developmental pediatrician or you can call the local school system and find out how you can get your child screened.

She is indeed quite behind in terms of her speech as first words appear around the first birthday. By the time a child is 16 months, we like to see lots of words.

The fact she likes to play by herself is worrisome as well when you add it to the language delay as well as the picky eating, need to be held and separation anxiety.

Please don't delay as early intervention is quite important and can make a very big difference in her future.

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Valerie Herskowitz

Expertise

I am an autism expert and speech pathologist (for over 30 years). I am also the parent of a child with autism. I can answer any question on autism dealing with communication, education, behavior and diet. I cannot answer questions that are medical in nature or are dealing with medications.

Experience

I have run a therapy center for individuals with autism since 1981. I lecture all over the country. I also teach classes on autism on line.

Organizations
Vice President of Communications Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Member American Speech and Hearing Association, MembernAutism Society of America, President of the National Autism Registry, Vice President of the Association for Developmentally Disabled Adults and Adolescents.

Publications
Autism Society of America's national publication (September 2008). Advance Magazine, South Florida Parenting, Spectrum Magazine, I am the author of: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology (available:www.valerieherskowitz.com)

Education/Credentials
I have a masters degree in speech pathology

Awards and Honors
I won a Stevie Award in 2004: Lifetime Achievement Award for my work with individuals with autism. My therapy center won, Judge's Choice Award Best Center in South Florida by South Florida Parenting magazine 2005.

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