Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 3/10/2012

Question
QUESTION: hi im hoping you can help me im worried about my 17month old boy, i have gone and got a referral to see a professional in my home town but they have put him on a non urgent waiting list and i would like to know if the signs i am seeing are signs of autism so i can push for a more urgent referral Here are the signs im seeing

he doesnt talk he doesnt really babble he makes a few sounds but the only one we can pick up on is DADA. He started walking at 16months and now walks on his tippy toes alot of the time, he is very fussy eating he will eat some finger food but his main meals consist of youghurt, puree fruit and 4month old baby vegies anything with lumps he spits and gags. he shows no interest in toys unless its throwing them around, he has violent outbursts for sometimes no reason at all, he follows his niece and older sister around but shows no interest in any other children and if he does it usually ends up with him screaming at them then going in for the attack, he doesnt point at objects or point to nose or mouth etc, he flaps his arms which looks like excitment and he goes into his own little world which has gotten to the point that people keep telling me he is off in his own world. however he does smile and give me cuddles he plays peek a boo, claps and waves good bye. please give me your thoughts would b greatly appriciated thanks

ANSWER: Hi Skye
I would elevate the urgency. Your son is displaying several red flags for a developmental delay. No babbling, no words, fussy eating, no interest in toys, tippy toe walking, violent outbursts, no interest in other children, not identifying his body parts, arm flapping, and the appearance that he is in his own world. These are all signs of a developmental delay. You are being quite astute to recognize this and early intervention is important.

So I would run, not walk to your local professional.

Let me know how it goes

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi it has been a few months since i posted my last question and this is just to let you know what is happening. I finally got my son seen to (now 20month) nothing has changed much at all he has made no progress in 3months, he is starting speech therapy next week and getting a hearing test, we are also booked in to see a ent as he has extremely large tonsils which could be the reason for him gagging on his food etc, so they will have to come out, as for everything else nothing has been mentioned about autism yet does this mean they dont suspect it is that or do they do all these other test etc hearing tests before coming to the conclusion of whats wrong?

Answer
I don't know what they are thinking. But I hope that they are going to help him as he hasn't made any progress. Now he's older. I would absolutely push them to discuss the possibility of a developmental delay. I am glad you are starting speech therapy. Since he is now 20 months and not speaking yet, please make sure that your therapist implements a picture communication program so that he can learn to communicate his wants and needs until he learns to speak! Very important!