Is it Autism?

Lorena - posted on 04/15/2009

Quoting Tandi:

thanks you all so much for the support and help, it was both uplifting and educating! i live in canada so i will research the numbers to call here and thanks for those links i will check them out now! :D

i wish you all the best of luck with the challanges to come, and i know we can always count on one thing, God will never give us more than we can handle so those of you with autistic, or asbergers children, just know that you are that much stronger and are able to withstand more

Ruth - posted on 04/15/2009

I couldn't say from the clip that it was Autism or even anything in the Autistic spectrum. I have two boys, one with Autism and the other with PDD:NOS and getting either of them diagnosed and even evaluated was a battle. I sure hope it's easier for you with awareness higher.
The fascination of one object is not a strong indicator to me of autism. Your other replies seem to me to show less toward autism and more just a phase she's going through as a normal child. Stating that there seemed to be a change related to the immunizations actually is a red flag to me, but I'd ask if she got an ear infection close to that and had to have antibiotics. My kids' DAN doctor said it's not usually the shots that are the actual cause, but the antibiotic on top of them. With the immune system already weakened from the shots, add antibiotics which throw off digestion and if the body can't fully recover, yeast stays in the digestive tract growing and damaging the small intestine. That prevents proper digestion causing food sensitivity, excess gas, and preventing the body and brain from getting the nutrients in their fully broken down and usable form. If that's the case, talk with you doctor or see if you can find a DAN doc in your area and treat a yeast overgrowth. It's a hard balance between killing the yeast and keeping the bacteria at bay, but if you can fix it now before permanent damage is done, all the better. Also, you can research the alternative immunization schedule. The shots are delayed and spread out differently so that children of parents with Autism Spectrum Disorders and even ADD/ADHD who might be prone to weaker immune systems (at least weaker regarding the way immunizations work) can still get the protection without so much risk.
Also, do NOT get your diagnosis from a medical doctor. There is a lot of insurance (like life insurance) policies being changed to make it impossible to get certain types of insurance if you have medical diagnoses. Do it through a Psychologist. You still will be able to petition to get any help you need without jeopardizing insurance down the road. I don't know how or if that will affect you in Canada with the way it works there, but better safe than sorry.
Honestly, I would say she did not appear to show signs on the vid. My kids never flapped or anything similar, so that is not a definitive sign against either. Your descriptions make me think perhaps she has a hearing loss and possibly sensory integration dysfunction (at least for the sound sensitivity), but again, all of that could just be the way she's growing and how her genetics are playing out. I hope things come together for you, so you can have peace of mind no matter what the diagnosis may end up being.
On a side note, whether she has any difficulties or not, I highly suggest sign language. She can learn and sign now, even if she has Autism. It was the only means of interaction I had with my eldest for 2 years after the autism diagnosis and before he started becoming verbal. But it's also been shown to help "normal" kids do better in school and have less temper tantrums because even if they don't know the words or can't say them, they can sign them and still get what they need known to you. My daughter who is now 6 is at the top of her class by far and away because we were still signing with her older autisic brothers and she learned it.

Good luck to you. And thank you for giving me hope that my boys may yet have the chance to grow and have full lives as you do.

Tandi - posted on 04/14/2009

thanks you all so much for the support and help, it was both uplifting and educating! i live in canada so i will research the numbers to call here and thanks for those links i will check them out now! :D

i wish you all the best of luck with the challanges to come, and i know we can always count on one thing, God will never give us more than we can handle so those of you with autistic, or asbergers children, just know that you are that much stronger and are able to withstand more

Becca - posted on 04/14/2009

I am a Pre-K ESE teacher, so I work with 3-5-year-olds with disabilities. I have 2 autistic students in my class. One of them was diagnosed before 1 year, so it is possible to see signs early. My other student was not diagnosed until this year (after his 3rd birthday). I am not sure if the signs you're seeing are signs of ASD, but the lack of interaction with you definitely sounds like one. I would recommend that you get in touch with your local Early Intervention service. It can't hurt to get them involved. Early Intervention will help you learn to work with your child and they can watch for the signs with you. I wish you luck and hope for the best for you. There will be great challenges ahead for both of you (ASD or not).

Karen - posted on 04/14/2009

I used to work with various degrees of autist children & aduts for 12 yrs.That by no means qualifies me to make a diagnosis but there was a girl that was obsessed with Zippers.Most autistic children prefer to be by themselves or be touched.They like their own space & have a very hard time showing love.Most have some kind of obsession,like watching tv,alot of them is food.Most are not verbal or can make one sound.Also if whatever the're obsessed with,is taken away,most get violent.There is so many degrees of autism that it's hard to say for sure.Hope this was alittle helpful to you.

Lorena - posted on 04/14/2009

I have 6 year old twins with ASD (boy and girl). I didn't know they had it until they were 4 years old b/c they never displayed typically autistic characteristics. They just didn't talk. Everyone, includng my pediatrician, kept saying that they'd eventually talk, or grow out of it, or whatever else made me feel better. I wouldn't wait. The zipper thing you talked about bothers me (sorry). I would call your state's Early Intervention 800 number for a free assessment. They have tests now that can diagnose ASD on kids as young as 9 months old. There is usually a waiting list, so I would move on it now.

Karrine - posted on 04/14/2009

Hi Tandi:
My 6 year old son has autism and my 13 yr old has Aspergers. If you go on Autism Speaks, they have videos of babies and toddlers and signs to look for. I wasn't able to see your video, but it is kind of early to tell. One sure sign is if your daughter doesn't give you eye contact and as Roseanna responded about playing on her own for quite some time and is happy doing so. My son loved the way certain fabrics felt in his hand and between his fingers...a sensitivity to maybe a sheer scarf-like fabric, or those with a different feel to it. It's true you can never be too sure at this age. Just watch it and see. I'm sure you know about walking on the tippy-toes and the playing in water (although many babies love to do that as well). Nothing is more worse than not knowing or not being sure, but know that you have so much now that wasn't available before and you have a head start on what to look for. So if you feel strongly about it and you have a gut feeling, start trying to get your lovely daughter to focus on you regularly and interact with her as much as you can. The sooner you start the better, and if nothing is wrong you still win win win!!!

Andrea - posted on 04/14/2009

Honestly, it sounds like baby activities. They are just learning that they are autonomous beings. They are learning that they can have control over other things (cause and effect). Definitely keep an eye on it, because you know your baby better than anyone, but if you read any books on developmental psychology, you might find some of her behaviours are actually not as far out of the norm as you think. Good luck, whatever the case, and your little girl is gorgeous, by the way!!

Saadya - posted on 04/14/2009

I agree with both ladies! I am a mother of a 3 year old living with "classic" autism... no words, self-abuse the works. The video just looked like a NT baby playing. It would be better if she was sitting up to see if there is flapping. She looked like she was just playing with her toy... which is a great sign. My son as a baby never really played with toys; just house stuff like measuring cups and spoons, my make up containers, plastic cups and parts of things. Nothing a child would want to play with.
I pulled up some websites for you to look over... maybe they will help.
I started a group on here called Autism Awareness Kentucky where I post alsorts of autism info, please join and feel free to write me anytime!!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...
http://www.autism.com/
http://www.generationrescue.org/index.ht...

I too am watching my 7 month old since my oldest has autism.
xoxoxo

Tandi - posted on 04/13/2009

well thanks for your answers, and thank you roseanna, i think she's beautiful too :) to answer your question, yes she does play with her toes, and yes she does and is very interested in picking them up, those are good signs right?

thanks for all that info on speach and where she sould be at, carrie. yes she mkes sounds and looks at me when i sing or tlk to her, she doesnt really try to imitate, but i think she is watching my mouth, and yes she does make sounds to get my attention, and yes she looks at toys and me when we play, so i think these are probably all good signs... but i definatly will ask my fam doc to refer me to a pediatritian then i will ask for a referral from there, thanks again :)

Carrie - posted on 04/13/2009

Hi, Tandi--It's too hard to tell from the clip if the behaviors are a red flag. There are lots of other areas you can look at to ease your concerns. Is she beginning to make sounds? Does she look at you when you call her name, make funny noises, or sing to her? Is she interactive with you and her dad? Does she watch your mouth and try to imitate the movements you make with your lips or tongue? Does she try to get your attention by making eye contact with you or making sounds? When you play with her, will she look at you and/or look at the toy you are playing with? The overfocusing you are talking about sounds unusual, but it's so hard to say at this age. I am a speech-language pathologist, and all the things I mentioned are social/early language behaviors she should be showing at this age. If you are truly concerned, ask your pediatrician for a referral to an educational psychologist. That is where you will get the information you need. Good for you for being an aware mom. If there is really some type of autism, the earlier the detection, the better the prognosis for treatment!

Roseanna - posted on 04/13/2009

Hello,

I have an autistic brother and he was diganosed at 9 months as he had very strong signs. The things to look out for are things such as: Did or does she play with her toes? If you place some tiny bits on the floor can she pick them up or is she interested in picking them up? I have watched your video but i would be easier to see if she does have prober flaping by sitting her up so we can see whether or not it is a proper flap.

These signs might not seem like much but these are the signs that made my brother become diagnosed as he couldn't do these basic movments. Also the fact she likes to play on her own for long times and not like you been involoved is quite a strong sign.

I think if you wait a little longer and you will soon be able to notice different signs and judge for yourself if she is.

Other things such as is she trying to talk or preform sounds? (My brother began to talk but could only say hello mum and dad then turned 3 and lost all his speech to autism) and couldn't talk again untill 6 yrs old) Do things have to be in a certian way (my brother had to put cars in a straight line)



I wish you all the luck for you and your little girl she is beautiful x