My son will be 22 months old next month and is a charming, adorable, and bright little boy. He knows words in sign language, takes direction very well, loves to help, he's great! Verbally, he's probably right on track, I know boys tend to speak later, he said his first words early on, like Mama, Dada, dog. Those words have come and gone and come back again though...? He's babbling a lot now, stringing words together and I can tell he's communicating, but we only make it out about 50% of the time. He loves to point and say," that one" and be told what it is.
He knows how to count in the sense that if I count, 1,2,3, etc he points to object simultaneously. He can catch a ball, (not consistently) walked early, runs, plays....by all accounts if fine and normal. He loves to dance and has awesome rhythm.
BUT, there are a few key things that have me concerned. He tends to obsess, like if we're walking one direction, we have to continue that direction until he's okay with turning. He loves lights and ceiling fans and fixtures and will stare at them or turn them on and off for several minutes at a time. Or this humming sort of car motor sound that he makes not just when playing with toy cars, but pushes all sorts of things, books, chairs... He has done this probably since 8 months of age. He looses his cool very quickly and when he does, he jumps, spins, and flaps his arms and screams! When he plays, his play is very repetitive, he'll do the same puzzle 10 times in a row. He also goes through periods where he has terrible poop diapers, 4-5 back to back in a day and isn't the worlds greatest sleeper. He is a child that definitely needs a lot of sleep, but has to feel secure when he sleeps. Sometimes for no appearent reason, something terrifies him, like animal noises or being laid down to have his diaper changed. I mean, just screaming, tortured kind of crying...it's awful. This happens just out of the blue, cannot predict it and it isn't consistent.
I have read a lot on autism and research and debates surrounding it, it's something that interests me and scares me. We're constantly trying to improve the quality of our environment, the products we use, the foods we eat etc. I am pretty crunchy about stuff like that and I definitely think it has an effect on completely healthy kids and not so healthy kids alike. I guess I just see things in my child that scare me regarding his temperament and I am wondering if you experienced Mamas out there have any words of wisdom to offer. Am I just worrying needlessly or are these things I need to look deeper into? Is it purely behavior or personality quirks or is this stuff warning signs of bigger issues?
Sorry so long winded!
PS. He does cuddle, a lot and is very affectionate and does make eye contact.
It sounds very much like autism or that sensory perception disorder. My great nephew has it. There are groups you can join for more information. My niece lives in Texas and has an amazing support group for her son.
First off, there are a few popular miss understandings in your question. Boys and girls have identical verbal expectations and are normed identically in all speech and lagnague evaluations, so his gender does not give him any break in the milestones for speech. Autism is not a diagnosis that can be ruled out because of something your child can do, so let that go too. You need not worry about it, but face it head on and find out for certain from the bets professional you can for a real answer to your question based on data.
You have reason to seek an profesional opinion. Call the early intervention program for your state and call the nearest childrens hospital and make an appointment with a Developmental Pediatrician. You need both. Early state run services, if he qualifies, are there to help him be functional in school one day, and you are responsible for everything else, and there is a lot if he has issues. The sooner you get intervention, the better. Evaluation is a win win. You either walk out the door knowing that you have nothing to worry about, our you walk out the door knowing what to do to help.
I have two kids on the spectrum, they both cuddled, and both can look me squarely in the eye. They are still autistic. When you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism. Do not fret, instead, get moving on finding an real answer and then on help. It is not the end of the world if the news is not to your liking, it will be OK. There are plenty of kids on the spectrum doing well, and living full and happy lives.
M.
It's a myth that children with autism do not like to cuddle. Some don't because the sensory input from it is too overwhelming but there are a lot of kids with autism that are snuggle bunnies, my son included. That being said . . .
Your son has some great strengths like the talking, eye contact and the stringing together of words but I would be concerned about some of the other issues that you had mentioned. I would want to have it checked out. What you are describing maybe just his thing and nothing more, or it may be indicative of him being on the spectrum somewhere. If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to find out now so that you can get him the supports and services that he needs so that he can recover and hopefully go to school with all the rest of the kids when the time comes. And, if it turns out that he doesn't fit the critera for being on the spectrum, at least you will know for sure that is not the case - no more needless worrying.
You can call your State's early intervention department tomorrow to make the referral and have him evaluated. The will come to your home and do it for free. If he qualified for services, then the therapist will come to your home and provide them for free as well. From my experience, the therapists are always really great, warm-hearted professionals who really make things fun and exciting for the child so that the child really benefits from it. It's like having a playdate every few days or so.
If you want to learn more about the brain-gut-immunity issues that some believe may play a part in what is happening with a lot of ASD children nowdays, check out the website for Talk About Curing Autism Now (TACA). www.talkaboutcuringautism.org
I hope that what you are seeing is just your son's way of being but wouldn't it be good to know for sure? Anyway, wishing you and your son all the best.
.
OK, I'm that opposite kind of mom who did NOT pay close attention to the milestones. At all. You are VERY thorough, and all the positives you mention seem to point to perfect health and development to me. He's talking WAY more than mine who was way past 2 1/2 before he said anything. I do remember, that my son who is now 3 did things repetitively just like you mention, puzzles over and over, lining things up, and so did my 4 1/2 yo daughter at that age. Many kids this age in our family do this, so I would get livid with my Autism obsessed friends suggesting there was a problem because he repeated stuff.
My son and daughter both tried sporadic tortured screaming around that age, but we never questioned that they were normal 2 year old tantrums, disciplined them and they didn't form the habit.
Are you SURE it's a mystery fear etc, or could he be having a a normal tantrum? He's 2, and tantrums are very terrible and scary to behold-and often seem like something is really wrong or scary. They happen unpredictably (but often in response to things they want to object to-like diaper changes) and strike kids who are perfectly lovely at other times. Pretty much any 2 year old will have them if you let them. He is training age.
If you really think he's afraid or in pain for these outbursts, you could try an emergency room, but I actually took my son to one once when a rare fit (which he had pretty much learned not to have by then) lasted too long AND he had a belly rash. The belly rash was not painful or related to the fit, so how silly did I feel when the Doc said it sounded like a run of the mill tantrum.
You should not worry so much yet, try discipline, and only suspect a medical problem if firm enforcement of rules has no effect on him. He obviously has a caring, loving, devoted environment and isn't neglected. He's very intelligent, so should have no problem understanding discipline barring a serious problem. Good work on the nutrition and health stuff-you'll know these are not a factor since other kids eat so much worse etc.
The best advice I ever heard a doctor give (and not many doctors are like this, they often want to find a diagnosis to please a mom) was this: "For 6 solid months, give your child enough sleep, natural food, exercise, love, attention, firm rules and discipline, and if he/she is still completely out of control you can begin to consider some evaluations. Otherwise, if your child is normal some of the time, it's probably not medical.
It sounds like you have some concerns so I'd definitely trust your "mom" instincts and have him evaluated for autism or any possible developmental delay by your local Regional Center. It's free but does take a couple of months to get an appointment. They have professionals in all fields of child development and if there are any concerns your son would receive services paid for by the state regardless of wether or not you have insurance. It's always scary to think that things may not be 100% on track with our children but it sounds like IF there's anything going on with your son it would be very mild. An evaluation would either give you peace of mind that all is just as it should be or an opportunity for early intervention in which case any issues could be dealt with and resolved quickly. Young children learn at an amazingly fast pace and before you know it many concerns parents have become a thing of the past. Then there are just the teenage years to worry about!!! Good luck and I'm sure your little guy will be fine.
I think he is acting like a normal 2 year old boy. If you have a cold and then read several descriptions of diseases, then alot of them will have the same symptoms. Alot of med students think they have one disease or another because they read about them so much. I know you are concerned, but just wait till he watches the same disney film 4 times in a row. My niece would do that and she is in advanced classes with straight A's.
It could be Autism, some of the things you mention sounds like possible symptoms to me. My middle daughter is 8 and has Autism I think if you are concerned request an evaluation with a child neurologist.
BTW Children who have Autism can be very cuddly and affectionate. These kids are not emotionless and can make eye contact.
If you are concerned about autism, you should see a doctor.
But, your son sounds very much like mine, and countless other toddlers. Toddlers like and need repetition. They also like to try out being in control (wanting to continue in the same direction when you want to go in a different one). Last, they will do parallel play until at least two years old (and often after two years old). Parallel is playing along side other children, but not necessarily playing with them.
Does he cuddle? Does he give eye contact? If yes, perhaps you can relax a little and enjoy your toddler until and if a medical professional tells you otherwise.
http://www.amazon.com/Toddler-411-Clear-Answers-Advice/dp...
It all sounds like normal 2 year old behavior to me. Tantrums and repetitive play are necessary and integral parts of learning at this age (and for years to come). As for for sleep, some kids are great sleeper and some are not. Some need more help to get the sleep they need.
There is a series of books called "Your X Year Old" by Ames (i.e. Your 1 Year Old, Your 2 Year Old, etc) that was/is very helpful to understand all of the physical, emotional and developmental things that are taking place in your child. It's an older series of books and there was a ton of research that went into these books, which is probably why they are still around. You can sometimes find them at Half Price Books. Some the discipling stuff is sometimes not up to current research, but man, the development parts have been spot on for both of my girls.
I can see that I'm in the minority here, but that sounds perfectly normal to me. You've got great resources here to pursue testing, research, etc. if you really feel something is wrong. But tantrums, obsessing about an activity, making noises - that's all NORMAL two year old behavior. My 2 year old daughter would cry like it's the end of the world if I went a different direction in the car than she wanted, but she got over it after a few months. That's what being 2 is all about. They are learning that they don't get every little thing they want and they are testing the boundaries to see exactly how far that goes. I really think you have nothing to worry about, but always go with your gut.
A friend of mine had the same issues/concerns with her son who is about the same age. They had his hearing checked out, found blockage and severe allergies causing the blockage. He had a few speech therapy sessions, recently had his tonsils/adnoids out and has been on an allergy Rx for a while. His speech has improved by leaps and bounds. He was having such a hard time communicating because he couldn't hear the speech pattern, so he did a lot of grunting, pointing type things. That combined with some typical "boy" things and some typical "toddler" things, had his mommy very concerned. I suggest having him tested. Best of luck!
It all sounds pretty normal to me. My older son used to do all these things and he was obsessed with the #3- before he could count! One time we were walking in the mall and he'd stop every 3rd tile of a certain color to bend down and touch it (he was just around a year old). He was always very particular about being very clean, doing things his way, and having everything in a certain order. He's nearly 6 now and I wish he was still like that when I walk into his room or see his 9mo old bro in his room crawling over the mess on the floor! LOL
You should talk to your doctor. There are some real concerns, such as the bowel movements and sleep. Some of the behavior issues might be related to a sensory integration problem. The whole bag of characteristics, however does not sound like autism. There are a list of criteria and foremost is lack of interaction. If he looks at you, talks to you, and interacts with other children then there is no autism diagnosis. I am no expert, but it does sound like there might be some sensory processing issues. So, in my opinion, I would talk to your doc about that.
Good luck and let us know what happens.
C.
I think you are a little premature. normal 2 yr olds do this mine repeatedly bounces his horses. and likes opening and closing doors continously. cieling fans now those are interesting how do the turn constantly and not stop? he talks better than mine who is a little older than yours. the humming is making his vocal cords stronger. mom how can we find out what that one is if we don't ask? the only diffrence between your kids temper tantrums and mine is mine just lays down. now my oldest did what your child does. diffrence in children. relax mom give me time to grow and learn
