Autism/baby movements

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/20/2010


Question
I have a five month old son and I am concerned that he does not  move his legs and arms  as other babies his age do.He also does not grab at things. If you put him on the bed he lies stills,however if you talk to him he laughs and smiles .He also cannot hold the bottle on his own.Could this be a sign of abnormality?

Answer
Hey Siziphiwe,

Thank you for you heart felt question.

The first thing I can address is that yes this is a sign of abnormality that your son is not developing correctly.
While Autism is a delay in cognitive or mental development, it is not the same as a delay in physical development. As such there is not a sufficient amount of information in your question that would lead me to think Autism. There may be some present but I can not decipher it from the question.

My suggestion is to have the child receive a complete examination by a neurological pediatrician at the first birthday. By the first birthday there may be enough of symptoms of Autism that a clinician would detect.

Autism

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Paul Johnson

Expertise

All questions regarding late diagnosis (Adults with Asperger's Or othe ASD's). Spirituality and ASD, Relationships, How our minds work, Adolescent development with AS and Self Definition as an Autistic culture.

Experience

Diagnosed with AS at age of 47, countless expereinces related to AS. Journalist and highly self reflective. Two degrees in Psychology. Conducting two Adult with Asperger's groups. Writer and lecturer in the area.

Organizations
Toastmasters Autism Society of Minnesota Loft center for writers

Publications
Double Dutch in the Nile Garden-Collection of poetry book 1996 Numerous articles The Love Book-Unpublished No Woman No Cry book regarding cultural aspects of grief-Unpublished

Education/Credentials
High school diploma-Abraham Lincoln Brooklyn New York Undergraduate City College of New York B.A. PSYCHOLOGY Graduate school University of Minnesota M.A. Counseling Psychology

Awards and Honors
Volunteer of the years-Mayors Award New York City 1980 Unsung hero in community-Minneapolis 2000 Community service award 2006.

Past/Present Clients
Many

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.