Autism/my 3 yr old son

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Expert: - 2/27/2011


Question
My question is about my son Elijah who is 3 yrs old. I have had him tested for preschool and found out he is a yr behind in speech. From birth till he was 3 months old all he did was cry. i couldn't figure out why. I soon found out that he has to drink soy milk, and that he cant have shell fish. He throws fits all the time. He seems to act like a loner he wants to play alone. He has an older sister and a younger brother and he doesn't allow them to touch his toys or touch him, if they do he hits them or screams and cries. I looked up autism and the signs. I have a feeling that he might be. I have asked my doctor to run tests but he just tells me that its normal. how do i get my family doctor to see what i see everyday?

Answer
Peggy
Go with your gut instincts. Your son, Elijah's behaviors are not typical-you know that because you have other children. The language delay plus the other behaviors could possibly be signs of autism. Find a developmental pediatrician and take him to see him or her.

What are you doing about the language delay?

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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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