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Autism/does my 4 month old show signs of autism

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Expert: - 3/21/2006


Question
Hi.  I have a 4 month old baby girl.  I am afraid that she has autism by what I have been reading lately on it.  She sometimes responds to her name not always.  And latley every time you go to change her clothes she keeps putting her left hand in her mouth and chewing on it.  Making it difficult to change her.  Sometimes I will have her on my lap and I will talk to her and try to get her attention and she doesn't seem to turn towards my voice.  She use to babble alot but now I have noticed she doesn't do it as often.  She squels alot.  I am really afraid.  Please help . Thanks

Answer
Hi Tiffany,

Most newborns have a hearing screening these days, but just to be sure, please ask to have her hearing checked.  They can do this well now in babies.  Deaf babies will babble at first and then slow down or stop.  They don't look at your face because they don't realize you are talking to them.

If her hearing is normal, there are many possible explanations for her behavior.  Take her to her doctor and tell him/her you are very worried.  Don't take "she'll be fine" for an answer.  Ask for a referral to a neurologist to get her evaluated.

I want you to hear me when I say that she may NOT be autistic.  Babies do some strange things, sometimes, for many different reasons.  

For instance, the hand-chewing may have nothing to do with anything but that she finds it something to do while enduring being dressed.  Many children become impatient or resistant to having their clothing changed.  Try being more gentle and cover her chest with a small soft cloth while you change her diaper and put on the bottoms, then put on the top of the outfit.  Offer her a small toy to hold while dressing or give her her pacifier if you use one.

Squealing is fun for babies.  All my kids did it, the "normal" and the autistic. I think it's one of the first things that they can do that feels powerful to them.

Most importantly, don't be afraid to find out.  It is much better to know and be able to help her learn than to be afraid to know and miss the early opportunity to help.

Best wishes,
Catherine

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Catherine Ridenour

Expertise

I can answer your questions about parenting your High Functioning Autisic or Asperger`s Syndrome child. In particular, questions about family life, discipline, siblings, finding resources, and working with (sometimes opposing) the educational system are welcome.

Experience

I am the parent of an Asperger's Syndrome child who is now 22 years old. She went undiagnosed for 14 years of her life, so I have done extensive reading and Internet research into the possible cause of her difficulties. Even a short 8 years ago, A.S. was practically unheard of by the public educational system.

We fumbled our way through her childhood and early adolescence without any effective outside support. In some ways, that may have been a blessing as we were focused on her abilities rather than a label for her disability. However, I can think of many times when knowing WHY would have been comforting.

Had we known very early on, some social skills interventions might have made her life in school easier. At this point, I like her for who she is so I do not regret how things have turned out. More importantly, she likes herself.

Education/Credentials
I have a Bachelor of Science in Education.

I have worked to educate myself about Autism in general and HFA/AS in particular.

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