18 month old, could it be autism?

Question

I really need some opinions on my 18 month old son. Since my son was about 5 months old, Ive felt like something just isnt right. Ive talked to people about it, and people think Im crazy. But I feel like somethng isnt right. Ive asked my Mom, she said he is overactive. Heres my concerns. Since he was a baby, he would never let me hold him, if I try to now(he's 18 months) he screams, kicks and fights me. He refuses to be held or throws a tantrum if I try to cuddle. He always done this, its not recent. He throws a fit if you even touch him, he hates being touched. He never wants anything to do with me. I try to play with him, he wont, he goes off by himself and does his own thing. I have gotten him so many different toys, but he will only play with 2 of them. One of them I have to hide sometimes (its a push cart) because thats the only thing he will do ALL day, is Run and I mean run with it from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to sleep. And he has a few cars, he wont play with them, he will only spin the wheels for long period of time. Thats all he will play with.

He wont ever respond to me, its like he completely ignores me all day. I try to talk to him, play with him, and no response. He wont even look at me and refuses to make eye contact. I know he doest have hearing problems, he was tested, but he acts like hes deaf.

If theres alot of people around, he goes crazy. Its like its too much for him, he cant handle it.

He refuses to respond if I call him, he will not look at me if I say his name.

He only sleeps about 9 hours at night and 1 &1/2 to 2 hours during the day. Hes tired all day, but will not sleep anymore.

He was starting to say alot of words around 14 months, now he wont say any.

He 100 miles an hour from the moment he opens his eyes to the second he goes to sleep.

He wont play with others

He still does not say Mom or Dad

fascination with repetitive movement

very short attention span

overactive

tantrums(lots all day)

Will not point at things or wave bye


People think Im crazy, but something is not right. I can feel it. Im with him all day, nobody else. What do you think. What do I do?? Do I make an appointment with his pediatrician?? I mean can it be diagnosed this early?? I just feel somethings not right. Please give me honest opinions, please no rude comments. Im not sure what to do, or where to go from here. Thanks

Answer 1

It does sound like a classic presentation falling within the Autism spectrum (not necessarily specifically Autism, but there's a whole spectrum of diseases/conditions that present similarly with varying degrees of severity, etc.)



Yes, absolutely make an appointment with your pediatrician. She will likely make a referral for your son's behaviour to be examined by a specialist.



By definition, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) must be diagnosed before age 5. Your son is at the age where diagnosis becomes most apparent as he fails to meet developmental cues, etc.



With the diagnosis, also know that funding is avaiable to parents (at least in Canada and the US) to help with the high cost of support/child care, etc.



Once you have a diagnosis, consider also having your son treated by a Naturopathic Doctor. There are a number of interventions an ND can make to help, both for you to manage the stress effectively and to impact how the ASD presents in your child's behaviour.



The diagnosis should come first because it will help you also qualify for funding to support the dietary changes that can be expensive, but in many cases can radically change the patient's behaviour and improve the quality of life for the whole family (in that they are profoundly affected by the autistic child.)



There are also lots of great support groups for parents and families with autistic children. The doc that makes the diagnosis can give you lots of information on these services in your area.



Know that, while your son may not be so good at displaying affection, he surely loves you very much. And, if it is Autism, his unusual behaviour patterns are not reflective of your success as a parent. Clearly you love your son and are doing your best to advocate for him and his health!



Good luck to you and your beautiful son!

Answer 2

My nephew is autistic and he doesn't speak at all. He is 6 now and my three year old does more than him. My sister in law has had tests done and his chromosomes are normal. There are many different types of autism. If you think he might have it, which it sounds like he does, then take him to the doctor and have him checked. My nephew takes ADHD medicine too. He runs around all the time non stop. Just check him. It will help you know what to do in the future when you have a diagnosis

Answer 3

Unfortunately, with the world being so focussed upon autism at the moment, parents are looking out for signs that their child might be autistic. Stacking cans is not a sign of autism, there would be many other obvious indicators. - Stacking things is perfectly normal at that age.

Answer 4

I've got two sons dx with atypical autism, or autistic features (PDD.NOS), 1 son was born that way and we knew at 6 months, he was dx by the neurologist at 9 months. The other son progressed normally then regressed, we knew by 18 months he was dx at 25 months by a neurologist.



Call early intervention and have him assessed, its free and you need no referral.



Take this PDD assessment questionaire:

http://www.childbrain.com/pddassess.html



Yes it can be dx this early, dx at 12 months is about 60 percent accurate. By two its more than 80 percent accurate.



My guess is that he is PDD.NOS and the above questionaire I would be suprised if he did not come out in a mild range of 50-100.



I have also had the experience of psychologists telling me no its not atypical autism its just a delay and neurologists saying no the psychologists are wrong its definately PDD.NOS.



My sons are 8 and 3.



When my 3 yr old was dx at 9 months he had poor eyecontact, didn't answer to his name, repetitively and perseveratively did something over and over like taking blocks out of a container and placing them in. He did play with toys but also played with things inappropriately flicking the handles on the dresser. Today he likes the blender, opening and shutting doors for hours on end, and adjusting the clock radio. He did not wave, or point at 9 months and was delayed on clapping. He was a quiet baby and didn't babble much. He laughed smiled and liked to be cuddled. He did share toys. At 9 months he scored a 49 on the above questionnaire. Today he scores an 87, about the same as his peak high of 88 at 2.5-3 yrs. He is 3yrs 4 months and functioning level has stayed about the same for awhile now. He also has echolalia now, he is perseverative and repetitive in his limited 'play'



My 8 yr old at the time of his dx had intermittant eyecontact, tantrums, impulsivity, spun wheels of cars, lined toys up, didn't wave, point, or shake his head yes or no (he did clap), he had stopped saying words and became quiet, he became obsessive with watching videos over and over. He became a picky eater. He did not answer to his name. He did not like being cuddled I had to hug him from the back and firmly (sensory issues), he did laugh and smile. When he began talking again it was echolalia (repeating what others said). At this sons peak he would have scored over a 100, today he scores on the borderline of typical range 46-52.



feel free to email me



Pediatricians know little to nothing about autistic spectrum disorders, my oldest son the pediatrician said point blank when I asked her could this be autism she said no. The neurologist weeks later said absolutely on the spectrum and its not mild, he's in the moderate range but will most likely improve to the mild range over the next 5 years. He exceeded those expectations and that same neurologist dropped him from services saying he outgrew the need at age 6 2 years ago.

Answer 5

i have an autistic 4 year old...it took doctors nearly 3 years to diagnose him.....in that time he could have been getting therapy help and early interevention. When doctors told me all infants are different all toddlers are different...hes just not very social...he doesnt really care about doing certain things i listened...when my gut told me "NO THATS NOT RIGHT" if you feel like something isnt right DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP a mother knows her child better then any one and listening to others tell you that your crazy when you honestly think there is something wrong is inhibiting your childs ability to being able to have help RIGHT NOW insterad of months away or years. please do not wait any long get second opinions or third schedule an app. with a specialist.

Answer 6

I babysit a little boy that has autism and I'm sorry to say, your son does alot of the same things as the boy I babysit. I would get him tested at least to ease your mind. Go with your instinct, if you feel something is not right, chances you're right. Talk to your doctor about it. If he gives you the run around find another one until your satisfied.

Answer 7

I would highly recommend you discuss your concerns with your son's pediatrician. Write down everything that you have written here and bring this with you for discussion.



Get a referral from him/her to have your son evaluated. Have this done soon, since there may be a waiting list.



I would also recommend contacting your local Early Intervention services. They will also evaluate your son and determine what services (speech, physical therapy, etc) he is eligible for.



Best wishes to you.

Answer 8

Well I think you have some valid concerns, and like you said you are his Mother and with him all day, so you know him best.

Whether it is Autism or not, i don't know. But I think making an appt. with is pediatrician is a good step. Discuss it with them, and get their opinion. Best wishes and I hope everything works out.

Answer 9

I don't want to scare you, but it really does sound like autism to me. It definitely warrants a call to the pediatrician to voice your concerns. It can be diagnosed this early, its usually diagnosed before age 2 in most children. Good luck!

Answer 10

did he by any chance have the MMR shot? (measles, mumps, rubella)



celebrity jenny mccarthy is an avid believer that the MMR shot caused her son's autism...



who knows tho?



i wish you luck & hope you find your answer soon...

i pray that my baby wont have autism...its very hard to live with...