Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 6/19/2011

Question
Hello Valerie,
My son is two years old next week. He fails 6 questions on the M-chat (questions 2,5,6,7,15 and 17). Three of these questions are critical. He doesn't speak at all or say mama or papa. He hasn't been assessed yet. I'm living in France and apparently here they don't like to diagnose before age three. I'm worried because I feel like we're losing time. My husband and I are visiting our family in Australia in a month. I think in Austrlia they assess for autism much earlier (although I'm not completely sure). Do you think we should have him assessed while we're there?
I'm a bit confused because he definitely fails the M-chat, however I've been told that he doesn't appear to be autistic because he has good motricity, good eye contact in general and is reasonably smiley and affectionate with his parents (we've worked on it, though). Are these elements which can exclude autism? Do you think he could be autistic?
I'm very worried.
Many thanks for your opinion.
Verity.

Answer
Hi Verity

I don't know whether or not your son has autism, but he does appear to be language delayed, so I would definitely have him assessed. Then, at that point, they can determine whether he just exhibits a language delay or if he has other characteristics that would lead them to consider a diagnosis of autism.

The questions that he failed appear to be in the following areas:
1. Interest in other children
2. Pretend play
3. Pointing
4. Showing interest in what others are interested in

The one that is concerning is #1 and the fact that he is not pointing for things he wants. So how does he let you know what he wants?