Is my ds autistic??

[Baba]

I saw a programme the other night about a woman with four autistic sons and wondered if my ds may be showing signs of autism and how old they are before they can tell?

My son is only 15 months but he has the attention span of a snail (is this normal) - he likes to hit me on the head and headbut me and laughs manically at nothing at all....

I absolutely adore him but am worried about his behaviour - he sleeps quite well but is manic from the minute he wakes up until he goes to sleep. However, he does sleep in the day because he is so exhausted.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Baba]

thank you. He does point a lot at things but no more than any other child - and he does definetly do eye contact with me and others...

Hoping these are classic signs - maybe this programme just maybe a bit paranoid?!!!

[Jimjams]

Look up the chat test (checklist for autism in toddlers). Children who don't pass this at 18 months are at risk of developing an autistic spectrum disorder. If your child points I doubt very much that they are autistic.

You can find a copy of the chat test here:

www.nas.org.uk/profess/chat.html

Remember that at 15 months your child may not yet be pointing out things of interest (usually develps around now). He should be pointing for things he wants, and maybe in repsonse to "where's the light" type questions (choose a word he nows if he doesn't know light).

if your child fails the CHAT test at 18 months then that's the time to be concerned. (My auti ds1 couldn't pass the chat test until he was over 2).

[ThomCat]

Think I'll just add good luck with the test if you decide to do it, hope everything is OK, and let us know how you get on.
Lots of love and a hug {{{{{}}}}}}} but sure you won't need it!

[Jimjams]

Oh and don't worry too much about the formality of pouring a cup if tea (I don't think my children see tea pots very often). They're just looking for pretend play- so pretending to drink from a cup, feed a baby/teddy, talk into a telephone, pushing a car, that type of thing......

[aloha]

Baba, no attention span is ENTIRELY normal in babies. And I'm sure that he doesn't think he's laughing at nothing!

[Baba]

Thank you for all your kind words.

I will do the chat test tonight and let you know tomorrow.

Fingers crossed!! LOL

[Jimjams]

baba- remember the chat test is for an 18 month old- so don't worry too much if he can't do everything on it at 15 months. 3 months is a long time in a toddler's life.

[ThomCat]

Baba - did you do the chat test, how did you get on??

[Baba]

Hi

I did do the chat test and I have definetly been worrying over nothing. He does have a lot of eye contact and also in the last three days, seems to have been playing on his own a lot, using his imagination.

So, at 15 months old, I feel that his behavioural issues maybe something completely different or just completely normal..... I do feel completely reassured now so thanks to all for your help!

I just kept thinking of the programme that I watched about the mother with 4 autistic boys and sitting in awe of how wonderful she was....

[ThomCat]

Great Baba - glad you're completely reassured.

[Jimjams]

Glad you're reassured Baba. The CHAT test is very good. They trialed it in a few areas, but don't use it becuase it picked up lots of 18 month old who were probably going to become autistic (if not those who failed seemed to go on to have language delay), but then they couldn't do anything with them (no services).

What a wasted opportunity. Makes me cross to think about it. if my ds1 had had intensive SALT/OT etc at 18 months...... And of course at 4 he STILL hasn't had any. (Had another promise of SALT a few weeks ago and then haven't heard any more).