Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 2/7/2011

Question
Hello, I have a son 4 years old who was diagnosed with ASD he is very high functioning and also have a daughter 19 months old, she is not talking, no words, just babbling and says mommy to me and to other people too. She doesn't say daddy or my sons name or milk or any other word or attempt to words just sounds. She points inconsistently she listens I think she understand everything but it is hard to say because she does not talk, she follow simple instructions but inconsistently.  I am concerned because the neurologist say she has ASD because of the genetic risk but the Early Intervention phsycologist said no she is ok just late talker. I am concerned because in my son case he was ok socially until he was 2 1/2 years old, he pointed less and respond less to his name but otherwise both have speech delay and w sitting.  Also occasionally my daughter stares briefly and play as his brother throwing things in the air.  I am making my case with early intervention but they are ignoring my request based on his evaluations. She just qualified for Speech Therapy because the therapist saw an obvious speech delay. OT and Psych said was average but no words. Any advise would be really appreciated.

Answer
Hi Carmen

I wouldn't focus on what your child has but what she needs. Unfortunately the public systems like EI are not set up to give the best services that a child would need but just what their criteria says they have to do. So, the tests that you daughter took only qualified her for speech. What did the neurologist say your daughter needed at this time other than speech? You may have to seek this out on your own. Most families do. I am always available for a consult if you want to do a home program with her. Just let me know.
info@valerieherskowitz.com

Meanwhile, get her started on the speech therapy and make sure that they set up an augmentative communication system for her while she is learning to speak. Very important.

Let me know if you need me for anything