what are the signs you see that you can say that a child is autistic?

Philippines
May 2, 2008 8:18pm CST
i've been reading a lot of news about autism but i still dont get it. they look normal to me. so by reading this sometimes i am scared because i have a two year old son that is normal, well he looks normal. what are the signs that you can say that a child is autistic? what are their behavior? is ADHD is a sign of autism? how early and how late can a child be detected with autism? thanks for helping me out, i really wanted to learn more.
4 people like this
7 responses
@mikeysmom (2088)
• United States
3 May 08
for my nephew one of the signs was very obvious. by the age of 2 he was not talking and although my sister repeatedly questioned the pediatrician he told her not to be concerned because some children start talking late especially boys. but by 2 1/2 nothing had changed and she had him evaluated, which i understand at that is not easy to do and a definitive diagnosis is not easy to make at that stage. other things were that he had compulsive type behaviours such as lining up his toys and if one was turned the wrong way he would get upset and have to go and fix it before he could do anything further. he would also try to bang his head against the wall when frustrated and throw himself into the wall as well when frustrated. there are apparently different levels of autism and i am no expert but i think instinct is the best thing to go on here. if you think something does not seem right it probably bears being checked out. there are many books on the issue now. the cause seems to be associated with all the vaccinations our children are being given.
3 people like this
• Philippines
8 May 08
my son is two years old and 4 months. he only speaks simple words. but answers when we call his name. he does not line his toys like the one you were talking about. he does not bang his head on the wall and he does not throw himself on the wall. he laso makes eye contact. we are worried with his speaking ability thats the only thing we are worried about.
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
3 May 08
Some of the signs are: *Lack of or delay in spoken language *Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping, twirling objects) *Little or no eye contact *Lack of interest in peer relationships *Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play *Persistent fixation on parts of objects The above information was taken from the Autism Society of America: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_home My own son may look normal, but his Autism shows through in the things he does, or doesn't do, like his lack of speech. He was diagnosed a bit later in life (a few months shy of his 7th birthday), though the signs were there well before this. If you are concerned you should get your son tested, the sooner, the better. Good luck!
3 people like this
• Philippines
6 May 08
thank you very much for the link sacmom. delay in spoken language i can say that my child has not much on speaking yet, hand flapping - no but he likes twirling objects. out of all you said i can say that my child is yes to two things only, lack of speaking and the twirling objects. thanks for your help
4 people like this
• United States
3 May 08
Minnie is right and the website she mentions is an excellent way to find out more about autism. Doctors are finding out more and more ways to detect it early. Most of the autistic people I know didn't really start talking until a late age and that's probably a major sign that something might be happening. Also, they tend to avoid eye contact or not show any interest in their surroundings or other people. They've found that babies who don't seem to want to interact may have an early sign of autism. But, it takes an expert to observe the child over a period of time to make that determination. Exceptionally shy or anxious children may show some signs of autism, but, instead are dealing with something different. I was a very anxious kid who was afraid of interacting with other people and children when I was growing up and my mom thought it might be autistic (but I wasn't).
• Philippines
6 May 08
glad to say that y son is not avoiding eye contacts and he is very attentie when i am explaining something. but as you said it takes an expert to observe the child over a period of tie before we can say that a child is autistic. i will still find cenetrs here or hospitals that is expert on this field. i am not familiar on where but i will try to loate one from the internet. thanks a lot for your response and help darlene
2 people like this
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
3 May 08
Well Autism is different in each child. They say about 2 1/2 years is when you can start to tell there are issues. And no ADHD doesnt always mean Autism. Check out www.Autismspeaks.org its a pretty good site. I have a son with Autism so if you have any specific questions dont hesitate to ask.
2 people like this
• United States
3 May 08
And they do look normal and act fairly normal too in some cases it all varies. Its a very social disorder like my son doesnt know how to make friends well he just kinda stares at them untill they come play with him. He is in 1st grade and doing very well in everything but writing. Most Autistic kids are great at alot of things and struggle with others. And yeah they need routine badly. + I attatched a pic of my son see normal looking.
3 people like this
• Philippines
6 May 08
thank you very much for the link my friend minnie and i visited that sight already and learned a lot from it. i have a nephew that up to now (he is 5) can not speak properly yet. is this a sign of autism too or just a slow poke? thank you very much, i will sure ask you a lot for i am observing my child very well. i cant view your sons picture that you said you attached.
3 people like this
• United States
6 May 08
Glad I could help. At five and not talking I would have him checked out. That was the start for my son they thought he had a hearing problem so they tested that first then they headed to Autism based on the other issues he was having. And dont woory Autism is a livable condition my son cant write at all but hes very smart and can do many other things well.
2 people like this
• Canada
19 May 08
I see you have had some knowledgeable responders here already but I have a five year old who has autism and I thought I could some things for you to be looking for in your son.... Does he play normally? Does he line things up in a row or open and close doors or do things repetitively playing incorrectly with the toys? Does he allow you to play and interact with him? Does he have good eye contact does he acknowledge you when you call his name? Are you able to bathe and dress him without a tantrum? What are diaper changes like? Have you had issues with feeding him or odd bowel movements? (often constipated or often diarrhea) Feel free to request my friendship and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have through PMs Take Care! ~Heavens~
2 people like this
• Canada
21 May 08
To me, it does not sound like Autism especially if he wants you to paly with him and if there is no rocking or flapping then I would say it is a speech delay issue.... With bowel movements I meant is he either often constipated or often loose (Diarrhea) When my sone was a baby he was often constipated and now he is often very messy and loose. I would get him assessed by a speech therapist but it would not hurt to see a developmental pediatrician as well! ~Heavens~
1 person likes this
• Philippines
21 May 08
hello there heavenschild. i am so glad to answer your questions. DOES HE PLAY NORMALLY? yes. but he mostly play alone inside the house. he can only play outside every weekends. DOES HE LINE THINGS UP IN A ROW OR OPEN AND CLOSE DOORS OR DO THINGS REPETITIVELY PLAYING INCORRECTLY WITH THE TOYS? no. he does not open and close doors, and does not do things repetitively. but he loves to play with balls. he knows now how to shoot on hoops and he wants me to do the same. DOES HE HAVE A GOOD EYE CONTACT DOES HE ACKNOWLEDGE WHEN CALL HIS NAME? yes he does. when we call him he does react. ARE YOU ABLE TO BATHE AND DRESS HIM WITHOUT TANTRUM? yes but not always, it is summer now here and too hot that he does not want to dress up and just want to be in the water. diaper changes are okay no complain. FEEDING? no problem. ODD BOWEL MOVEMENTS? can you explain to me what does that mean? thank you very much for your help.
3 people like this
@maliki2 (255)
• United States
3 May 08
I have a nephew that is diagnosed with Autism. The signs weren't like every autistic kid. He is quite hyper, holds no attention span etc. He has been diagnosed with different things, from Autism to Asburgers, to ADHD. And when not on medication there then is a difference. The best thing to do is bring the child to a professional.
2 people like this
• Philippines
3 May 08
Hi, I remember my high school teacher telling us about a sort of test for autism. What you need to do is talk face to face with your child (your faces should be preferably 1 feet apart) then raise your pointer finger in between your faces. Start talking to your child (like, ask him/her about school, etc.) then move your pointer finger from side to side slowly. Make sure you have eye contact with your child while talking and swaying your hand from side to side. If your child follows your hand, that's a sign that he "may" be autistic. If he answers your questions and responds to you without being distracted by your finger, that means he's normal. My teacher told us that she did it to her child and her child responded to her questions. The child even asked her what she was doing with her finger...haha
• Philippines
6 May 08
my child is just two years old and i cant do that yet toodlers are like tazmanian that moves a lot and jups around. they look like frogs on a rainy day har har har. but thanks for your advice i will do that to my nephew to see if he has autism.
2 people like this