input please

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2003
input please
4
Sat, 07-02-2005 - 4:40pm

Hi, my name is Jen and I have some concerns about my almost two (at the end of August) year old son, Jake. He's been diagnosed as having an expressive speech delay, oral apraxia, and sensory integration dysfunction. I'm concerned that it's something more, possibly PDD-NOS. I was hoping if I describe some of his behaviors, that you all could tell me if it seems like a possibility or if I'm completely off track.
-his speech delay - when tested at 19months, he tested at 10 months.
-lack of imitation - he rarely imitates anyone or anything, even when prompted
-he lines up his trucks/tractors rather than playing with them regularly
-he spends most of his time either lining up his tractors/trucks or riding his ride on toys around the house- he even attempts to ride things that aren't meant for riding (small tractors,etc)
-he rarely hugs or kisses parents on his own, but will accept them from parents
-interacts more with adults than kids
-takes awhile to warm up in social situations (will hide behind my legs), but eventually he usually does
-he'll sit and watch others play, but doesn't really join in
-sometimes he's extra sensitive to things (will scream when vacuum is on, doorbell rings,dog barks, etc - but not all the time- sometimes it doesn't bother him at all)
-is very moody (will throw fit after fit some days, but be fine others)
-picky about food -will eat about 12 different things
-hates to have teeth brushed, nails trimmed, face wiped and will scream and cry (every now and then he'll be ok with it
-often doesn't want to change clothes
that's all I can think of off the top of my head. TIA

Jen

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: jsmith567
Sun, 07-03-2005 - 1:26am

Hi Jen,

Well, it does seem like a possibility you should definitely look into. You are getting info at a great time. Your little guy is still real young and lots of progress can be made so young. They aren't kidding when they say early intervention is key and your guy isn't even 2 yet. Good for you for being observant.

Definitely look into it with the EI folks. Get him evaluated and getting home services as soon as possible. He probably has some home services now, but with kids with autism spectrum disorders at least 25 hours per week of services or actively involved therapy is recomended.

Sending out big hugs.

Renee

Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-24-2004
In reply to: jsmith567
Sun, 07-03-2005 - 1:51pm

Jen,

I would do some homework in your area to find out who works with or diagnoses very young children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD's). Try your local ARC chapter or Autism Society and see which specialists people are using. EI people are not really trained to give these sorts of diagnoses, usually. They can only tell you what is delayed in your child. Specific labels are given by developmental pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, child psychiatrists, etc..

Your son does sound like he has a lot of the warning signs for being on the spectrum. I am a developmental psychologist, and I used to work in EI and research on children with disabilities. Some of the other signs you may want to look into are:

1) How well can he sustain attention in a non-scripted interaction with you? (often these kids like nursery rhymes and songs, but when you get into spontaneous interaction, you lose them)

2) What is his peripheral awareness like? Does he notice what is going on around him, especially social things? Does he respond to his name when called? Does he look up when someone new enters the room? Does he run to greet a known adult?

3) If you fake crying or sadness, is he responsive in anyway (shows disturbance, runs to comfort you, etc.)?

4) What does his joint attention look like? When you look at something and exclaim "Wow!", does he look at the same thing, and more importantly, does he look at your face when you exclaim? Kid's with ASD's do not social reference well, which means that they don't look back and forth from your face to an object or person to see if you approve/disapprove. Do some little experiments of your own and see if he does this at all. It is one of the better indicators.

If you want to email me personally and ask more questions, please feel free to do so (mom2cassian@yahoo.com). I'll try to give detailed responses to what you see in your child. Still, I am no substitute for a real professional opinion. You should get yourself on a wait-list for someone who can do a proper diagnosis from observing your child. Wait-lists can be long (typically 8 mos or so), so get on one now.

I will highly recommend one book that can help you start to address what is going on with your son:

The Child With Special Needs: Encouraging Intellectual and Emotional Growth by Stanley Greenspan, M.D. and Serena Wieder, Ph.D.

This is a general book about very young kids with ASD's and other special needs, which introduces you to "floortime." Floortime is a therapeutic relationship-based approach that you can use at home with your child. It is a very good approach to start helping you to address the interactional problems of many types of children.

Good luck!

Suzi

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2005
In reply to: jsmith567
Sun, 07-03-2005 - 3:07pm

Hi, Jen -- I also have a son who we are having evaluated in one week for PDD. He was 2 in May. While these aren't identical signs (for example, we have a wheel spinner, but he doesn't line things up) I see some similar characteristics, like the rare imitation and apparent inability to play with other kids. But here's how I'm coping (which works better on some days, not so well on others) is that for every worrisom sign, there is a good sign -- which means much of this may be treatable. And very treatable at a young age. Let us know what you decide to do.

Kellie *& Calvin

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
In reply to: jsmith567
Sun, 07-03-2005 - 4:39pm
Hi, you said your son was dx'd w/ expressive speech delay. You didn't by chance mean his dx is expressive language disorder, did you? ELD is a common misdx for kids on the spectrum. My son was misdx'd w/ it at one point. If it is ELD make sure that they have given him the Castle test by a speech pathologist who is trained to administer it. It is the only way to correctly identify ELD. ELD does have some of the social problems of ASD but is much easier to treat. As the language problems improve so do the social problems. ASD isn't so simple. You want to be sure which one it is because the treatments are much different. Good luck! Tia

Tia

"All or nothing, baby!"