Should we worry about autism?

[Dom&O]

Hi Ladies, I'm hoping you guys can help me either assuage or validate my fears that my son is somewhere on the spectrum.

A little background, he has GERD and DGE (delayed gastric emptying). Due to this he has had severe food refusal. So the medical issues explain is feeding issues, however he has sensory issues, sleeping issues (taking forever to get to sleep, only with motion, and does not STTN), language delay, and agression.

A bit on the language delay, he actually has a decent vocabulary (about 150 words) but about 15% are understandable, he still does not say yes (or shake his head yes),me, or his name, and does not talk in phrases/sentences.

And the agression...now note I have another child and have been through the terrible twos. I've seen tantrums, and I know the usual toddler behavior. This toddlers aggression seems to go above and beyond this...he hits, bites, kicks, screams bloody murder over the smallest things (but usually from not getting his way). Coming out of time out he'll hit me while I explain why we can't hit...it just doesn't sink in, He hates getting changed or dressed or teeth brushed and sometimes will fight me as if his life depended on it...

However, he does engage, makes eye contact, and is affectionate. I've had other moms tell me to watch for nuances and how he acts around peers. Well he's never been around peers because he doesn't go to daycare and we really don't have friends with kids his age.

So does this sound like we should have concerns, or am I just crazy??!

[by-the-lake]

If you are concerned, see a Developmental Pediatrician or Neurologist. I would say that I would do that in your situation. Also, how old is he? If he is under 3 he can be evaluated by Early Intervention or Birth to Three. Good Luck!

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by Dom&O

A bit on the language delay, he actually has a decent vocabulary (about 150 words) but about 15% are understandable, he still does not say yes (or shake his head yes),me, or his name, and does not talk in phrases/sentences.

has he had a hearing check?

The fact that so little of his speech is understandable could indicate a problem such as chronic fluid.

Sensory problems can occur with or without autism, so they don't really help you figure this out.

..he hits, bites, kicks, screams bloody murder over the smallest things (but usually from not getting his way). Coming out of time out he'll hit me while I explain why we can't hit...it just doesn't sink in,

It is related to sensory stuff? Some kids shut down with sensory overload, some act out.

A combination of hearing problems and sensory issues could make for a VERY difficult child.

However, he does engage, makes eye contact, and is affectionate. I've had other moms tell me to watch for nuances and how he acts around peers.

these are good things, How doe4s he do around his sibling?

[Dom&O]

Thanks for your responses. He just turned 2...He does see a developmental ped every 4/6 monthsfor his feeding issues. She has not said she suspects autism, but at the same time she is also the one who told me he doesn't have DGE, and he ended up having it so my faith in her isn't too great. She focuses mostly on his eating, even though she mentioned he was quiet and asked if his feeding therapist had concerns with his speech. His therapist will be eval. his speech this coming week.

His hearing has been checked and it is perfect.

We were just discharged from EI. We were receiving services for his eating, but ended up not using their therapists as they did not help and we had better therapists through insurance.

He loves and plays with his brother, but he also torments him. He bit him last week (and drew blood) and will scream if Owyn gets to close to him (when he's not in the right mood..which is often). There is often screaming and hitting as well as hugs and kisses.

[sbgrace]

I don't know of course and you didn't mention enough to make me even feel I have a strong suspicion one way or the other but I think you're correct in that you are seeing some spectrum signs in him and it should be on the radar. My views are colored by my own son who has (had at the time) a lot of similar characteristics. I was told I was worrying over nothing because he was "too social" or had too good of eye contact or other junk that really isn't definitive in autism.

I would ask though in comparing him to your older child in terms of his interactions with you does it seem qualitatively different for the age? I mean is communication with this child harder than it was with your older child at two? Often spectrum kids will be missing some nonverbal use or reading and/or some reading of partner intentions and facial expressions that make communication and interaction different or more difficult even if the speech is present. The typically developing child will be a good communicator at two even if he has no verbal ability because all the nonverbal and partner back and forth is in place.


You said he doesn't shake his head or answer yes (how about no--does he shake his head or answer no?) How are the other nonverbal things (shrugging shoulders, pointing things out to you to see, waving goodbye, etc.?)

Try looking at this site and see how he scores http://www.childbrain.com/pddassess.html
Autism Speaks have some videos which would help in seeing a typical child vs. a spectrum kid when there aren't direct comparisons available and they target the more definitive differences. You do have to register but it's free, immediate access, and they've never contacted me. http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/glossary.php

Does your son have any other health issues, muscle tone issues, or anything? My severe GERD and DGE child is the one who was later diagnosed spectrum and he had an underlying metabolic condition so the two were actually connected in him. I wanted to give you the information in case there is more. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=734501

[Dom&O]

Rachelle, thank you so much for replying. I think most people would say I'm worrying over nothing. And to be honest I haven't thought about him being on the spectrum until another mom I talked to got an ASD diagnosis and her son has feeding issues, sensory issues, and a language delay. Then, well I guess I had it in the back of my mind and and from time to time I'd see Dominic do something "spectrum-ie" which is what leads me here.

I know what you mean about compairing them for the quality of communication at this age , but that would very difficult as my older son was very advanced verbally. I'd say he was doing everything Dominic does now at 15 months old. He was talking in sentences, reading (memorized) books, and singing entire songs (his fav. was Kelly Clarkson) at 24 months old.

He does shake his head no, does not shrug his shoulders, and he does point to things. He does wave good bye. I'll have to pay attention more, but I think when he wants something he does not make eye contact and just points and gives me the "eh eh eh" to let me know he wants it..but I could be wrong, I'll pay more attention next time.

I was reading another post and they said some kids stim by masturbating, and that is HIM all the way. He is always rubbing up against tables or anything hard thats at his level, and at night (we cosleep) he does it to our legs..I feel funny admitting that..but its true, and we can't stop hiim because he gets soooo mad. He's up a few hours each night doing that...ALthough I think he is sort of sleeping at the same time. Just thought I'd mention that as well.

Thanks for that assesment...He got an 85 which suggests mild PDD.

Thanks for the info on the metabolic/mito issues..to be honest I've suspected this too. Only becuase of the DGE and a few other things. If he did have it I think its mild, at least at this point, but to me there are no coincidences and if there are this many things going on than maybe its possible. I would love to hear your opinion on this..here is his entire medical list of symptoms:

GERD
DGE
ptosis (droopy eyelid)(mostly when tired or sick)
sensitive to heat (flushes, even in the bath or hot car)
language delay
Vomiting - has mostly resolved as of August, but up until then was vomiting 3 or more times a week
Feeding refusal - severe - currently in feeding therapy and waiting on insurance approval for intpatient feeding therapy (KKI)
sensory issues (SPD...also has tantrums where he hits, bites, pulls hair. Not all the time, and I cannot find a trigger)
Had one seziure (doctor didn't believe me because it was right before falling asleep, but this was no minor sleep twitching, this was flailing of all limbs and he was not alseep yet)
MSPI - reacts with immediate eczema all over body (within 20 minutes), gas and blaoting, up all night screaming in pain, mucusy poops
Possible wheat allergy
constipation (more so when younger, as a BF'd baby would go 6-7 days with no BM)..currently goes about every other day
sleeping difficulties, very difficult to get to sleep, still doesn't sleep through the night at two years old..waking for different reasons. Last night he woke up screaming and gagging

How do I tell if he has low tone? From what I can tell, he is normally deveolping in gross and fine motor skills, and he is able to run and play. Maybe if you could tell me what to look for, but I don't see it.

Anyways, thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I'll watch the video later...I would love to hear what you think though, if we should persue this or not. Thanks again!

[Petie1104]

Low tone just means that he has lower than normal muscle tone. So my dd was very high tone, meaning from birth she was extremely rigid. She "held her head up" I thought, at about 1 month, but it was just the high tone and very uncomfortable for her. She would arch her back and her legs would tighten ALOT when I picked her up. That was high tone. DS on the other hand was low tone, he was extremely limp all the time and even now at 9 you can see the signs of it when dd(extremely high tone) was trying to do the splits and he just plopped down into the splits. His muscles are loose are very flexible. Of course, for him this caused extreme delays in gross motor skills. But he is an extreme case anyway. He also has SID, developmental coordination dysorder, and OCD. So he had alot more going on than just being low-tone.

[Dom&O]

Thanks for the discription. No, he doesn't have tone issues at all then.