Expert: James Michael Roan - 9/12/2006

Question
Hi
I have a son who will be 3 in November that I have concerns about.  I have been reading up on autistic spectrum disorders and I have concerns that he may be on the spectrum.  I will list his good points first - he is very verbal, points to everything, asks tons of questions, eats well, no sensory issues that I know of, has a good imagination, pretends play, plays with toys appropriately, wants to be in on everything --- I guess I could keep going on about how great he is.  However, here are my concerns - he is awkward around kids -- either really shy/anxious around them or else on good days "too friendly" but then on other days he seems totally normal around them.  He started a preschool program a 2.5 months ago and will not listen to the teachers or sit for circle time though they are saying he is improving in this.  He only plays with one kid at school, but he sometimes likes to touch this kid's hair.  He started doing this with us at home about 5-6 months ago, shortly after his sister was born.  He was extremely jealous when she was born and a lot of autistic traits showed up around then.  He also has trouble with personal pronouns, sometimes saying "you" instead of "I" or "me" but not all the time.  He also talks a lot but sometimes stuff he says makes no logical sense.  He is fasicinated at the moment with equipment - the microwave, tv, airconditioner, radio, etc. and wants to be around them but can be distracted easily enough away from them.  My really main concern in social skills.  Sorry this is so long but just wanted to wrap up by saying that going to preschool has been his first real experience with kids his own age.  Any insight would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

Answer
Hi Sarah;

My guess is, based on my experience in this area, is that your son is subclinical Asperger's Syndrome. Asperger's Syndrome is at the high functioning end of the autism spectrum. Although he is too young to reliably diagnose, I suspect that he will demonstrate traits consistent with the criteria for Asperger's Syndrome, but may not fully meet the requirements of that criteria. In other words, he probably has "high functioning Asperger's Syndrome." I have quoted this because it is my phraseology only. I bring this up because even though he may never get a diagnosis, he will still need support and understanding for social thinking and social competency delays later on.

I suggest that you read anything by Dr. Tony Attwood on the subject of Asperger's over the next few years. Children with Asperger's often look typical when around adults, but are unable to keep up socially around peers. They want to interact but lack sufficient "social fluency" to do so.

Let me know if I can help you further.

Kind Regards,
James