Early Autism??? 15 Month Old DCB

[SunshineMama]

It ocurred to me today that my 15.5 month old dcb may have a variation of autism.

He is not walking on his own, and his feet turn out when I walk with him, or he pushes a push toy.

His fists are clenched most of the time. Today I was holding his arm and walking with him, and both fists were clenched. He will unclench to eat or play, but will often keep one clenched.

He does not point to objects. He has waved bye-bye a few times with mom and dad, but has not done so in about a month.

He only says 2 words, and will not attempt to repeat any words when I try to work with him.

He will randomly scream out loud or squeal without any stimulus.

He is able to crawl and climb onto the couch, and climb up the stairs. A mutual friend of mine and the parents comes over occasionally during the day and mentioned that usually 15.5 months old will either be really verbal or really physical, and this boy is neither. She saw his fists and suggested autism, which got me thinking about it. I looked up some information on the internet and he does fall into some of those categories.

What are your thoughts?

[dEHmom]

I was wondering the same about my 18. mo dcg.

She is a little different looking but I don't know if that has anything to do with anything. 1 or both of her eyes are a little farther apart.

She doesn't walk on her own, but will with a toy or along tables, or if you hold her hands.

She doesn't talk, just sort of grunts the same sound over and over. She's pretty happy for the most part, but just sits there or lays down on the ground and goes to sleep.

She is very raspy and has a deep cough. There is a lot of mucus and drs. say maybe she pools her saliva rather than swallowing it, (she doesn't drool though). She will often tip her head all the way back to look at things, maybe because of her eyes i am not sure.

The only real Health problem parents have informed me about is her hemangiomas which she is on medication for, and is slowly being weined off.

She drinks soy milk only because her mom finds regular milk to cause her to become too mucusy.

Does any of this sound the same as your little one????

[cheerfuldom]

IMO none of these things necessarily means autism....he could just be a late bloomer. Normally kids go to well check ups at 18 months. If nothing has improved at 17.5 months, I would carefully mention to the parents but only to make sure that he will be attending his 18 month checkup. Then see what the doctor says.

[cheerfuldom]

I was wondering the same about my 18. mo dcg.

She is a little different looking but I don't know if that has anything to do with anything. 1 or both of her eyes are a little farther apart.

She doesn't walk on her own, but will with a toy or along tables, or if you hold her hands.

She doesn't talk, just sort of grunts the same sound over and over. She's pretty happy for the most part, but just sits there or lays down on the ground and goes to sleep.

She is very raspy and has a deep cough. There is a lot of mucus and drs. say maybe she pools her saliva rather than swallowing it, (she doesn't drool though). She will often tip her head all the way back to look at things, maybe because of her eyes i am not sure.

The only real Health problem parents have informed me about is her hemangiomas which she is on medication for, and is slowly being weined off.

She drinks soy milk only because her mom finds regular milk to cause her to become too mucusy.

Does any of this sound the same as your little one????

Now this I am concerned about. Has she not been evaluated for the physical delays? The not walking and swallowing issues sounds like low muscle tone to me.

[dEHmom]

Now this I am concerned about. Has she not been evaluated for the physical delays? The not walking and swallowing issues sounds like low muscle tone to me.

Where I am I am not allowed to ask questions other than the basic medical checklist. If parents don't disclose certain information, it's not my place to step in. UNLESS I have valid concerns regarding behaviour of dangers, which in this case there is none.

Her hemangiomas at birth were on her face and near her heart (which caused concerns and they do monitor her heart), but there is no concern of any situations arising that might be dangerous as of yet. Her heart is a little different than most, instead of 4 valves (or something sorry, I don't know the exact terminology), there is 3. Something the doctors are watching closely. But parents haven't said ANYTHING regarding her delays, it appears they don't see that she is behind or don't want to draw attention to it.

She is generally a good baby, doesn't really fuss except when tired or hungry.

Oh and she does swallow and stuff, but when she is laying down on her back, I think she tends to pool it. She usually is sideways or on her tummy though, so probably doesn't cause much issue for her.

I did have to discuss with mom about her lunches (as she has been eating the same pb & j sandwich daily) and finally came with something different. Mom explained that she is VERY picky with foods, won't eat fruits or veggies,won't eat this andthat, etc. I told mom I am not able to feed the same thing daily anymore. If she is hungry she will eat what's put out for her.

[SunshineMama]

I was wondering the same about my 18. mo dcg.

She is a little different looking but I don't know if that has anything to do with anything. 1 or both of her eyes are a little farther apart.

She doesn't walk on her own, but will with a toy or along tables, or if you hold her hands.

She doesn't talk, just sort of grunts the same sound over and over. She's pretty happy for the most part, but just sits there or lays down on the ground and goes to sleep.

She is very raspy and has a deep cough. There is a lot of mucus and drs. say maybe she pools her saliva rather than swallowing it, (she doesn't drool though). She will often tip her head all the way back to look at things, maybe because of her eyes i am not sure.

The only real Health problem parents have informed me about is her hemangiomas which she is on medication for, and is slowly being weined off.

She drinks soy milk only because her mom finds regular milk to cause her to become too mucusy.

Does any of this sound the same as your little one????

He is mucusy and is on regular milk. And he is otherwise a pretty easy child to watch, other than the random screaming outbursts.

I actually just called my cousin and talked to her about him, since she specializes in children with autism. She asked me how he responds to light and sound, and if he is using a pincher grasp with food, etc. After I answered her questions she said that it definitely sounds abnormal (not using a pincher grasp for cheerios, for example). She said to wait to mention anything to the parents because if I recognize a problem they are probably already aware of it and are monitering the situation, and most parents of children this age are in denial that there is anything wrong with their children and it would fall badly on me.

I suppose the only reason I am concerned is because the earlier you catch autism, the better the result for the child, and I feel like it is my job to be each of my dck's advocates. I know that I would want my provider to tell me if they had any concerns. :confused:

[dEHmom]

He is mucusy and is on regular milk. And he is otherwise a pretty easy child to watch, other than the random screaming outbursts.

I actually just called my cousin and talked to her about him, since she specializes in children with autism. She asked me how he responds to light and sound, and if he is using a pincher grasp with food, etc. After I answered her questions she said that it definitely sounds abnormal (not using a pincher grasp for cheerios, for example). She said to wait to mention anything to the parents because if I recognize a problem they are probably already aware of it and are monitering the situation, and most parents of children this age are in denial that there is anything wrong with their children and it would fall badly on me.

I suppose the only reason I am concerned is because the earlier you catch autism, the better the result for the child, and I feel like it is my job to be each of my dck's advocates. I know that I would want my provider to tell me if they had any concerns. :confused:

OH! She has blocked tear ducts too apparently. The moment she sees bright light, her eyes water and she tends to close them. What did your cousin say about the light and stuff?

[cheerfuldom]

Where I am I am not allowed to ask questions other than the basic medical checklist. If parents don't disclose certain information, it's not my place to step in. UNLESS I have valid concerns regarding behaviour of dangers, which in this case there is none.

Her hemangiomas at birth were on her face and near her heart (which caused concerns and they do monitor her heart), but there is no concern of any situations arising that might be dangerous as of yet. Her heart is a little different than most, instead of 4 valves (or something sorry, I don't know the exact terminology), there is 3. Something the doctors are watching closely. But parents haven't said ANYTHING regarding her delays, it appears they don't see that she is behind or don't want to draw attention to it.

She is generally a good baby, doesn't really fuss except when tired or hungry.

Oh and she does swallow and stuff, but when she is laying down on her back, I think she tends to pool it. She usually is sideways or on her tummy though, so probably doesn't cause much issue for her.

I did have to discuss with mom about her lunches (as she has been eating the same pb & j sandwich daily) and finally came with something different. Mom explained that she is VERY picky with foods, won't eat fruits or veggies,won't eat this andthat, etc. I told mom I am not able to feed the same thing daily anymore. If she is hungry she will eat what's put out for her.

See the food thing could go along with muscle tone issues. I would imagine that she is only liking soft foods (bread smeared with pb and jelly) because those are easier for her to eat. If you cannot legally address issues with the parents, then you dont have any choice but to continue caring for her as is. The only other thing I can think of is to start a newsletter for all your parents that includes things like healthy food options, milestone/age lists, resources for free evaluations and other general information and hope they come to their senses. I am surprised that you do not have any recourse in order to speak up for a child that may not be getting needed assistance.

[SunshineMama]

OH! She has blocked tear ducts too apparently. The moment she sees bright light, her eyes water and she tends to close them. What did your cousin say about the light and stuff?

She asked how he reacts to light and sound, and I told her that he screams with loud noises or if there is a lot of stimulation, and that he doesn't really react to light at all. Flashing and noisy toys dont interest him at all in the same way I have seen most kids interested in them. She said it definitely sounded strange.

[Ariana]

I think a lot of people "diagnose" autism when it could be a number of other things. I think he has issues but he may not have Autism. Any children with autism that I've worked with have been advanced in all areas except social areas. Physically and cognitively they are at or above peer level. Socially is another story. They also tended to like bland white food but had excellent appetites.

It sounds like he may have a global developmental delay but I am not a professional.

[dEHmom]

See the food thing could go along with muscle tone issues. I would imagine that she is only liking soft foods (bread smeared with pb and jelly) because those are easier for her to eat. If you cannot legally address issues with the parents, then you dont have any choice but to continue caring for her as is. The only other thing I can think of is to start a newsletter for all your parents that includes things like healthy food options, milestone/age lists, resources for free evaluations and other general information and hope they come to their senses. I am surprised that you do not have any recourse in order to speak up for a child that may not be getting needed assistance.

I think in Canada it is much different than the way it is elsewhere.

If i see a concern then I can address it with the parents, but other than her delay in walking, and talking, there is nothing "of concern" to address. And maybe she's just different looking (I dont' know if it's because I've gotten used to her now, or if she is actually maybe growing into her face?) and i dont' want to insult the parents by asking too many questions. You know? It's not down syndrome or anything like that. Maybe a little larger forhead than most, but nothing extreme or "out of the ordinary".

And about the food, yes!
Mom mentioned last night that she usually just eats the sandwiches because they are softer for her, but she will try other things (noodles, etc) for lunches now. Today she came with some sort of spinach alfredo sauce with fettuccini, and cheese garlic bread. She ate it. She eats lots of crackers and yogurts and stuff. The crackers aren't soft, but i guess they soften quickly in the mouth.


eta: btw i wasn't thinking it was autism, but wanted to post on here because the child sounded so much like mine. i can tell something is not right but don't know what. Maybe my dcg has a cranial issue?

[countrymom]

I have one like this too. He's 16 months old and he's odd. I can't put my finger on it. I have 2 other kids that are his age and they are at their age, but this child is so behind. He can now take 2 steps, but thats it. Also, he still can't eat anything that has texture unless its crackers. He doesn't say anything, and just learned to wave, but only does it once in a while. He doesn't know how to play with the other kids, He sits there like he's mute and just smiles, I just can't put my finger on it.

[Ariana]

What about language? Any issues there?

I always refer parents to speach language pathologists to get assessed for language delays. Then the SLP's have the qualifications to send for more testing.

I hate having a child that you know there is an issue but you don't know what it is but want to help

[countrymom]

What about language? Any issues there?

I always refer parents to speach language pathologists to get assessed for language delays. Then the SLP's have the qualifications to send for more testing.

I hate having a child that you know there is an issue but you don't know what it is but want to help

your right. I wish we could have people come into my house and evaluate some of my kids because they are with me all day so I see all the stuff.

[SunshineMama]

What about language? Any issues there?

I always refer parents to speach language pathologists to get assessed for language delays. Then the SLP's have the qualifications to send for more testing.

I hate having a child that you know there is an issue but you don't know what it is but want to help

This child has only said 2 words ever. He will not repeat words, and he rarely babbles and tries to imitate.