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Autism/My six-year-old son might have Autism?

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Expert: - 3/25/2011


Question
My son came to United State when he was 2.5 years old. He cannot speak very well in Chinese and he went to English daycare. His English didn't improved very fast. All the people think because of his bilingual. He has no any problem in the daycare and kindgarten. Follow the rules very well and the teacher just think he is soft person and need to ESL class. We have another baby last summer and I am not sure is it because we pay less attention on him from last year. I feel his problem getting worse. He will not answer other peole's questions if he is not familar with. He only paly with few friends and not making new friends easily. He is difficult to communicate with other people and he never wants to try some new food. He likes more to stay at home than to play in outside. He is sensitive to noise, such as blender, vacuum, or hair dryer. I don't know he was autism or just lanuage delay. Do you think I should go to see a doctor?

Answer
Hi Jasmin

I would take him to a developmental pediatrician as you are mentioning some red flags:
1. poor speech
2. not answering questions
3. not making friends
4. picky eater
5. noise sensitivities

These are red flags for a developmental delay or autism. So you are correct that it is time to get this checked out.

Let me know the results

Autism

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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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