to ask if this is a sign of autism in toddlers?

[CloudiaPickle]

2.5 yo DD has three words only. I have self-referred to SALT as she also had then lost words. I know losing words can be indicative of autism but an extended family member told me today that something else speech related is a 'strong indicator' but ive never heard of it before so wanted to check here.

Rather than name objects, dd will describe them - I.e. She has signs/sounds (that don't sound remotely like the actual word) for colours and sizes or will make the noise. So for a car she'll say the colour or make an engine noise, for a tree/grass/grapes/peas etc she'll sign green butget ffrustrated if you don't know which of the above she means. She'snnever named an object, she makes animal noises but they're all pretty much the same yet she expects me to know the difference. She doesn't mimic speech at all and says words completely incomprehensibly - for example: red is lut, ear is tin etc.

Does anyone know if these could be signs of autism?

[JugglingChaotically]

Has her hearing been checked? My DD had glue ear at that stage and was seriously deaf. Only picked up by speech issues. (Was fine in previous test at birth).

[magimedi]

I can't help, but you might get more answers if you posted this in special needs.

[flower]

[magimedi]

was what I meant!

[YouAreMyRain]

Has she had a hearing test recently?

A big indicator for autism is echolalia, copying what others say rather than contributing things of their own.

[Elderflowergranita]

Many speech delays/disorders can mimic autism. How is her understanding of words?

Anything else other than the speech issue causing you alarm?

[NaiceNickname]

I was going to suggest her hearing also. My nephew was exactly like this, he ended up having grommets at 3 and hasn't shut up since

[defineme]

My ds reversed pro nouns eg you instead of I, which is typical of asd.
is there anything else eg lack of pointing, dislike of change/transition, interest in spinning wheels etc?
Definitely get hesring checked.

[CloudiaPickle]

Her hearing has been checked and is fine. Her comprehension is good but she'll only really respond to dh, her siblings and I - she completely ignored all the HVs requests at her two yr check.

There are several other signs but HV said they won't see her again til she's three and has started speech therapy.

[IsItMeOr]

Hearing check was my first thought too.

DS will describe things he wants rather than giving their names. E.g. since he's been able to read, he will say words off the side of the packet, rather than the name of the cereal - but I'm never sure if this is to make it more of a game. Before he could read, he would do a long-winded pointing thing.

He was diagnosed with ASD at 5.6yo. But the things that are more of a clue for him are that he struggles with transitions, with following adult instructions, has a very limited vocabulary for feelings, and struggles to articulate his wants (a mismatch with his general level of speech/vocabulary, which is good for his age).

[IsItMeOr]

x-post, sorry.

Oh gosh, I imagine you're finding it hard not knowing?

If you have any questions, I'd second the recommendation to head over to the special needs board, I've had loads of great advice there.

[sleepdodger]

Is she at a nursery? If so ask their opinion, they will likely have a sn specialist who will be able to offer a view if you seek it

[TrendStopper]

Can I ask a question?

My friends dc is 2. They have quite a good vocabulary and are very clever. However they dont like social situations, eg speaking to new people, being in crowded places, loud noises. If they are in a crowded place the dc will become quiet and non reactive.
They also have to do things a certain way & things have to be done their way or they will have a tantrum.
I am not sure if it is just their age or something else. When you look at the child there seems to be something missing.

Sorry for the hijack.

[Purplepoodle]

Too young to diagnose autism as they are all a bit autistic around 2. Wait until your under speech therapy then they can refer you if they think she needs extra help.

[Holfin]

My DD has ASD and like YouAreMyRain says she tends to repeat what others say. I totally disagree with Purple's first sentence.

[QuietNinjaTardis]

What a load of twaddle purple. They are not all a bit autistic at two. What a way to piss all over people who's children genuinely do have autism and struggle to get the help they need.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Losing words is something that definitely needs checked out. Waiting until 3 is not good enough. Please ask for referral to paediatrician.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

What other signs does she have?

The M CHAT test is available online and is very accurate for detecting whether further assessment is needed.

[Balaboosta]

For ASD I would have thought you would be considering a whole range of behaviours, not just speech. Concentrate on the speech for a while and continue to observe her closely. You have your eye on the ball - meaning that you have noticed an issue, are concerned and have raised the subject with a professional. This is already very good. The nature of SNs take time to become clear and diagnoses take longer. You are doing the right things. Other people might have better advice though.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Joint attention is the main thing. Does she point things out? If you point something out will she look?

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Preciousbane lovely story but she said her DD's hearing has been checked.

[defineme]

I understood what purple meant. The socialisation issues aren so evident at 2 because they play alongside etc.
I think paeds in ohr area do dx earlier, why do the HV get to decide when your dc should be seen- what about a paediatrician?

[poolomoomon]

My DS barely said a word until just after his third birthday. There were no other indications that he was autistic and his hearing was fine. HV recommended a speech therapist and he was on the waiting list. I think he said ten words before his third birthday, never said mummy or daddy even. Then something just happened after he turned three and he hasn't shut up since . He's a real chatterbox now, would never say he ever had an issue. I could see he was always absorbing what was going on but he wasn't able to express himself properly. It was almost as if he'd stored everything in his noggin until he was ready to let it all out and when he did he went all out. He was just an explosion of words all at once! It was insane.

What comforted me was the fact Einstein also didn't speak until he was four. My Nan also told me that my Uncle didn't speak until he was three and a half. So it happens. First borns are generally slower to catch on and children that don't attend nurseries. It's not indicative of any problem, it's just something that takes some children a bit longer to grasp much like potty training or indeed any other developmental milestone.

I would say if there's no other indications of autism other than the speech then it's probably not that. I'm not an expert though so obviously it's always best to get checked out by the pros. Just my experience that children develop at incredibly different rates!

[Icantfindaname]

Why do people always trot out Einstein as an indication that people shouldn't worry? For every Einstein there are probably 10 other children where a speech delay/disorder does mean something longer term.

OP go to SN section where people will not try and cover up your concerns with anecdotes of people you have never met.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

She said there are other indicators.

Op please do MCHAT test