Worried about my son

Posted: Wed, May 09 2012, 8:49 am Post subject: worried about my son

he just turned 1. im worried that he has autism.
I mentioned my concern to the dr after he asked if ds can wave bye bye. he suggested we revisit the topic in 3 months. is there more I can or should be doing that wait and see?
these are some of the things that concern me
hes always made eye contact only briefly. hell cuddle up to people like burry his head in thier arm or... but if we cuddle he stops and moves away. he doesnt stretch out his arms to be picked up or recognize that I want to pick him up when I stretch out my arms. he doesnt help me cary him- he leans in all sorts of directions so I have a hard time keeping him upright. he is crazy obsessed with the light. if we enter a new room he imediatley looks up for the light and then just stares and points for a long time. the last thing he does at night and the first thing he does in the morning is point at the light. when he wants to get to something hell push right into me or climb over me as if im not there

on the other hand he does make some eye contact. he smiles - although he was never a very smiley giggly baby. he points to things that interest him all the time. he can clap. he gets so excited to see his dad. he smiles and claps and ...
im have been so anxious and worried since my dr appointment yesterday. id really like any and all advice and sugestions. tx

Diamond Member Joined: May 10 2010 Posts: 2986

I don't have advice to you but didn't want to just read and disappear. ((((hugs)))) Hope you figure it out soon. Good luck!

Platinum Member Joined: Feb 20 2009 Posts: 7591

Is he delayed in any area of development- physical, speech, cognitive?

Does he respond to his name?

What happens when yuu sit down next to him to play with him?

Does he play with toys as appropriate for his age?

Gold Member Joined: Apr 19 2012 Posts: 1581

As a former speech pathologist, I suggest that you look into getting an Early Intervention evaluation where he will be evaluated in all areas & if they think he needs services, they will provide it for you at your house. It takes a while to get it started so I would look into it ASAP. You should be able to find out a contact number for early intervention services in your area. If you are in the Brooklyn area, you can contact Challenge & Step-by-Step to name a couple of centers that will evaluate your child in your home (his natural environment).

Hatzlacha!!

Executive Member Joined: Jan 04 2011 Posts: 364

pointing and eye contact are the 2 big ones, so if he does both that's pretty good. Maybe a sensory thing with the touching?

Gold Member Joined: Mar 04 2008 Posts: 1593

When he points at items of interest, is he pointing to show you? Do you have a sense that he is pointing at the item and then noting your reaction, and whether you have seen it too? Work with him on this skill. Utilize his pointing to jump in and join his noticing. Exaggerate your notice of what he is seeing, comment on it verbally, point as well, say things like, "oh, moshe sees the fan, wow, look a fan, mommy sees the fan too!" And work on having him notice things that interest you as well (items that you suspect he would like). Point to them and speak about them, position him in a way that he will follow your point, and your gaze. Don't try to turn his head manually, this rarely works.

"Reward" him for eye contact and keep his interest at your face. Seat him so that your faces are level for playtime, such as with him in a highchair, and hold interesting toys level with your eyes and face, whistles, rattles, etc. Play peekaboo games and finger games, everything designed to catch his attention at your face level and hold it. Use an engaging voice, clear, loud, repetative. Note his reactions, and adjust your behavior according to what he responds to, or what he finds unpleasant....

Posted: Wed, May 09 2012, 1:14 pm Post subject: re: worried about my son

I would have him evaluated by early intervention, not because I think something is wrong, but because pediatricians often wait until kids are officially delayed by some arbitrary guidelines before they are willing to explore other options.

Your DS could just be a quirky kid. My DS waved bye bye very late, and even at 15 months, he does not point at things. But BH his speech is developing and he interacts with people and makes eye contact very well. We did have him evaluated because of some gross motor concerns, and he is now getting PT, and we may be starting OT soon.

The professionals will know what to look for, and will be able to give you piece of mind, and also tell you any next steps that you need to take.