Things that worked for your toddlers?

[naturemomma13]

My son is just about 22 months old, and it seems we are on the road to an Asperger Syndrome diagnosis.  I know that sounds young to see Asperger's, but the discrepancy between his expressive language and cognitive abilities are extremely obvious (9% compared to over 99%) for his age-- he is an emerging reader, and he has a lot of sensory issues, too (luckily, he loves hugs-- and I mean LOVES huge, deep pressure hugs). 

We are starting his early intervention services next week, but I would love to hear what worked for your AS or HFA toddlers as far as getting them engaged in conversation and just making or imitating noises.  My son has an adequate vocabulary, but he doesn't use it to talk to me, nor does he imitate me very much if at all. 

Can anyone suggest books or games or activities that helped you connect?

[Lollybrat]

Aspergers really isn't an appropriate diagnosis for a child that young. Autism or PDD-NOS are more appropriate for that age. Sometimes people think that autism-like behaviors plus high intelligence automatically means Aspergers. But in fact children with Autism and PDD-NOS can have advanced cognitive abilities as well. (The next version of the DSM will get rid of the artificial divisions between autism, Aspergers, and PDD-NOS anyway.)

Have you heard of Hyperlexia? Hyperlexia is a disorder characterized by early reading combined with difficulties using verbal language and social difficulties. Hyperlexia is a completely different way of processing language and a distinct learning style. Many children with hyperlexia are on the autism spectrum, but some have it as a stand alone language processing disorder.

My son has autism with hyperlexia. He started reading just after he turned 2, but didn't talk until he was closer to 3. When he did start talking, it was mostly echolalia, scripted speech, and spelled out words. For us, the key to connecting him, in fact the key to all his early learning, was the written word. We wrote everything down because he understood what he read better than what he heard. We used white boards, cue cards, post it notes, and social stories to teach everything from verbal language to play skills to self-help to social skills.

[naturemomma13]

Thanks for your ideas-- he definitely is best engaged when we work with letters and numbers! 

I totally agree that my son is really young to talk about Asperger's... his pedi brought it up and thinks he might be that unusual case in which you can see it really young.  We will see what the developmental pediatrician, etc. says-- I have been reading so much, and he definitely is exhibiting the exact traits described with hyperlexia.  I would like to hope he will shake the autism symptoms associated with it (I've read young gifted children do exhibit autistic traits that fade by age 6 or so), but at the present time, he does a lot of toe walking, groaning, head shaking, etc. when he is not at ease.  For awhile he did lining up of cars and hand flapping, but for the past week that hasn't been happening so much.  He also falls A LOT.  Sometimes it is like he is just standing there, and he trips over his own feet.  He has extreme sensory issues with appliances, playground equipment, and transitioning for naptime.  And mealtime is a big problem right now.  The good news is that he is eligible for early intervention services due to his expressive language (for his age, he mainly is eligible due to eye contact issues, though he never initiates conversations & can only sustain conversations regarding item identification-- a vocab of just over 100 words, but much of what he says, he echoes) and self care (overstuffing his mouth & being reminded to chew). 

So anyway, I know he is young to say just what is going on with him, but I know something is going on, and I think it involves autism and giftedness in some way.  In the meantime, I just hope we can continue to build on connecting with him.  I am overwhelmed-- I feel like there is so much to learn in so little time... he needs me to know everything now, and I am just starting to understand things.  And at the same time, my husband and I are upset, but I feel guilty about being upset over what is going on-- we are lucky to have such a unique, brilliant little boy.  It's hard to process all this as a Mommy.  Thank you for your help!