Concerned about my ds
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| Sun, 08-20-2006 - 2:15pm |
I posted this over at the autism board, but it looks like this one is busier and I am sure most of you know what to look for at this point. Thanks for looking!
Hello everyone. My ds will be 17 months at the end of the month and I am starting to get concerned about him. My sister has already casually mentioned autism to me, but I have known that he was behind for a little while. Actually, at one time I thought he was ahead of schedule when he walked at only 10 months old. Since then he has not made a whole lot of progress, and the progress he's made has been gradual even with motor skills (only started climbing, and still not on play equipment etc - he does climb on our rocking horse, but he doesn't seem to know what to do once he's up there).
We do have ei coming to our house for an eval in a couple of weeks, but I'm trying to prepare myself for what I just may hear. Below are a list of concerns:
-no waving bye bye
-no interactive clapping, although he will clap toys together in imitation (ie, symbols, but awkwardly)
-no real words, but strangish babbling - lots of c sounds and other gutteral type babbles - no b or d consistently (or even ever)
-loud noises while playing - his favorite is to say "aahhhhhhh"
-doesn't consistently respond to name and rarely follows points
-Mostly aloof toward other people unless the person goes out of their way to interact with him (usually adults will do this, not kids)
-Difficulty establishing a clear schedule including set bedtime and naptime - also still wakes at least one a night
-odd play with toys and rarely uses them for the right purpose (except our ball popper)
-no simple pretending (phone to ear)
-no knowledge of body parts
-does bring us toys, but mainly just to drop off (no eye contact). I sometimes end up with a pile of about 20 toys in my lap when all's said and done.
-overall, doesn't seem to share enjoyment with others - example is he'd rather fidget with shiny buttons on a kiddie ride then look at mommy and daddy smiling and happy
There are some positive things too:
-expresses an interest in books and will bring them over to be read to
-knows a few of the Weebles by name (doesn't say them though) and will bring them on command
-follows a few other simple things - "do you want to play downstairs"
-will *play* peek-a-boo if another initiates, but doesn't actively hids. He more or less will sort of look around for the other person or just wait for them to reappear
-enjoys when we chase him and will run and laugh
-decent eye contact, but he doesn't seem to show emotion in most of his gazes - a lot of blank staring
Thanks for anyone who can offer help. I mentioned everything to my ped and he said "wait and see." If things get mentioned at the eval I will also scedule a formal eval with a developmental ped to get the wheels in motion. It can't hurt, right?
Do any of you think this does sound like it could be autism though?

Hi there,
EI is a great start and you certainly seem to know what concerns you and what to look for.