Expert: James Michael Roan - 10/14/2006

Question
My son's daycare teachers have approached me about having my 3 year old son
tested for autism. Here is some of his background (mostly according to his
teachers...some we jave I experienced ourself):



Does not socialize with other children. EVERYDAY that I pick him up he is
alone. Just sitting down or playing by himself. The teachers say he his like
this all day long.



He has a breakdown when other children touch him. He lets us cuddle him often
and very often WANTS to be cuddled.



While at school when the class transitions to another activity such as lunch,
nap, outside or inside play he breaksdown.



He is BIG on routine. Do anything once and he has the need to do it EVERYDAY
from there on out. And if you don't...you guessed it. BREAKDOWN.



HE has eaten ONLY peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the last month or two.
Before that we had a round with pizza for months. Before that french fries.
This seems to be a trend with him. His teachers say he does not eat well at
school.



Swinging is one thing that brings him pure joy. I have always said from a very
young age he will swing from dawn to dusk if you would let him.



His speech is delayed. He has been in speech therapy and there is progress but
VERY slow progress.



He crawled and walked at a later age that most of his peers.



He is 3 in November and is not potty trained and shows no signs of being ready
anytime soon.



We definatley have issues with him being upset for no apparent reason. He can
go from happy to sad to a all out wreck in a matter of minutes. When we ask him
what's wrong he can't really tell us. On the other hand he will tell me "Me
happy" or "me sad" and it fits with his current mood.



He is smart as a whip. Very observant and curious. He is a "normal" little
sweet, loving boy when he is with us. He pretends he is a butterfly or
airplane. He wants us to play with him all the time. He is funny and has a good
sense of humor.



I am concerned. I am going have him tested but do you think that his teachers
are justified in their concerns?


Answer
Hi Aaron;

I'm going to ask you to download and score the M-CHAT, which is a screening test for autism. The behaviors you described could also fit with a communication delay.

Here you can get the M-CHAT and scoring. It can be confusing to score, so you can email me with any further concerns or clarification.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,
James