Is it even possible to dx a 2 y/o?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2005
Is it even possible to dx a 2 y/o?
3
Sun, 10-09-2005 - 6:03pm

All my DD;s EI teachers are saying she won't be dx'd this coming friday at her eval, saying it is very hard to dx a 2 y/o that has no outright red flags, other than not being able to communicate everything.

I am afraid that she will be dx with just a language delay when it could be more. Then what? She gets some speach therapy ( which she gets now) - - and we miss out on precious time if indeed one day she gets dx with PDD or Autism.
Can you really tell whats what in a seemingly normal 2 y/o? Her teachers don't seem to think it's PDD or A, neither do my 2 child psy in-laws.
My FIl, a child psy said it is vey difficult to correctly dx a 2 y/o with anything unless they are showing some serious, obvious red flags.

My friends DS is also 2 - just dx with PDD, but he has tons of sensory issues my DD has none) and he lost all his words, he likes to be alone and does not like to be touched, licks odd objects, etc.....that just all seems so obvious to me. My DD is not obvious in the least - but still, could be pdd, I know, I just wonder how they will dx her.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Sun, 10-09-2005 - 6:35pm

It is ofen not possible to DX a mildly impacted child so young. My son was not DXed at his first or second evaluations. However they tested everthing and did come up with a plan based on what they saw: sensory Issues, poor adaptive skills (unable to dress himself, etc), hyperactivity, distractibility, self directed, severe language delay, and not very high IQ test.

He was recommended for special preschool and made great stides there -after we found the right school for *him*.

I think I am saying that an evaluation is worthwhile, even if no DX comes out of it.

HTH

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 10-09-2005 - 6:51pm

Yes, what is important is a thorough evaluation showing what her individual strengths and needs are and then addressing those needs and utilizing her strengths.

For children who are more mildly affected it may be hard to get a dx that young. My son is moderately affected and he was not diagnosed until age 7 because he had some confusing features. He was one of the social Aspies and he was not delayed. His language was about 6months delayed at 3 (didn't have him tested at 2).

Autism was mentioned with him from 3 by a number of sources but consistently ruled out because of his outgoing social nature with kids particularly at the park. He was not outgoing with adults. His social skills were still delayed but it was hard to tell then. At 3 a neurologist who specializes in PDD's said that he showed all the symptoms of PDD but thought that he had SID and auditory processing problems due to his strengths in cognitive skills and reported social skills with family and children.

The important part even if you don't get a dx is to address her needs at this point and get a good handle on those. Make sure they don't not give her services she needs based solely on whether or not she has a dx.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Sun, 10-09-2005 - 6:53pm

I agree with Paula. Getting her evaluated will definitely help, not hurt. I had considered Nathan to be mild, as well. I didn't think that I would get a dx of HFA. Nathan didn't show alot of tendencies, not on the surface anyway. You really had to know what to look for. When he started preschool, he became more stressed.....and his tendencies surfaced. I started seeing things that I hadn't seen before. When he was 4 1/2.....that's when we started the ball rolling. We had him evaluated by the school district and he qualified for speech. Then we saw a neuropsychologist to determine if he was autistic or not. The school district didn't know for sure.

When he was younger, I just assumed he had a different personality. Now I know. He didn't stim when he was little. No real obsessions, and I'm a very routine person....so I had already established a routine for him! He wasn't real social, but I'm shy and quiet. He's a picky eater...so am I. And I didn't notice any extreme sensory issues either. And the tantrums....well, I just thought he was stubborn!!!! The only real issue, was speech delay. I managed to get him talking, and the preschool teacher said that she could understand him just fine. But then after a couple of months of school........"he just doesn't seem to be adjusting like the other children". I had him talking, but his receptive and expressive language needed work....among other things! LOL

I know how hard it is to wait til the appt. Don't worry about asking lots of questions......heck, we all did it too!!!!! LOL

Michelle