Saw Speech Therapist today - DS not making eye contact

[CADS]

Hi

We saw a speech therapist today because ds (2.3 years) speech and understanding is delayed. Towards the end of the assessment she pointed out that ds doesn't always make eye contact when being spoken to or when he is trying to ask for something. Unfortunately, 6mnth old dd was crying and I didn't think to ask the significance of this. So I am not sure what the therapist was implying re eye contact. Any ideas as to what she might be getting at?

Thanks

[ntt]

bumping for you - in the meantime could you give her a ring and ask?

[FeelingOld]

I am a childminder and I mind a little boy who too has delayed speech and does not always make eye contact. His parents told me that their speech therapist/portage worker has told them that some children think that if they do not make eye contact with you when you speak to them they are trying to make you think that they have not understood you and therefore if you are asking them to do something they think they will get away with it IYSWIM (in this particular child's case anyway). An example of work we do together is when my mindee wants something we have to offer him 2 choices saying to him what they are and unless he makes eye contact with you he doesn't get to pick one. His problem is partly laziness.
Don't know if this has helped at all but if you still need answers I would give them a call tomorrow and say there was so much for you to take in, could you just ask them a couple of questions.

[jambuttie]

bump for you. I have experienced this too with DT1. H.V comes to the house to work with my son and she has also noted he does not have eye contact when being spoken too or is speaking. My son has been reffered to child development centre through other issues though

[Blossomhill]

CADS - I hope this doesn't freak you out but sometimes eye contact can be linked to autistic spectrum disorders (asd).
Of course this isn't always the case and may not apply to your son.
You really do have to look at the whole picture when seeing a child though.

I have found this link for you with red flags for asd:-


Table III. Parental Concerns that are RED FLAGS for Autism
Communication Concerns
Does not respond to his/her name
Cannot tell me what (s)he wants
Language is delayed
Doesn't follow directions
Appears deaf at times
Seems to hear sometimes but not others
Doesn't point or wave bye-bye
Used to say a few words, but now he doesn't

Social Concerns
Doesn't smile socially
Seems to prefer to play alone
Gets things for himself
Is very independent
Does things "early"
Has poor eye contact
Is in his own world
Tunes us out
Is not interested in other children

Behavioral Concerns
Tantrums
Is hyperactive/uncooperative or oppositional
Doesn't know how to play with toys
Gets stuck on things over and over
Toe walks
Has unusual attachments to toys (e.g., always is holding a certain object)
Lines things up
Is oversensitive to certain textures or sounds
Has odd movement patterns

Absolute indications for immediate further evaluation
No babbling by 12 months
No gesturing (pointing, waving bye-bye, etc) by 12 months
No single words by 16 months
No 2-word spontaneous (not just echolalic) phrases by 24 months
ANY Loss of ANY Language or Social Skills at ANY Age


----------------

Table IV. Ask Specific Development Probes: "Does (s)he..." or

"Is there..."
Socialization
...cuddle like other children?
...look at you when you are talking or playing?
...smile in response to a smile from others?
...engage in reciprocal, back-and-forth play?
...play simple imitation games, such as pat-a-cake or peek-a-boo
...show interest in other children?

Communication
...point with his finger?
...gesture? nod yes and no?
...direct your attention by holding up objects for you to see?
...anything odd about his/her speech?
...show things to people?
...lead an adult by the hand?
...give inconsistent responses to name? ...to commands?
...use rote, repetitive, or echolalic speech?
...memorize strings of words or scripts?

Behavior
...have repetitive, stereotyped, or odd motor behavior?
...have preoccupations or a narrow range of interests?
...attend more to parts of objects (e.g., wheels)?
...have limited or absent pretend play?
...imitate other people's actions?
...play with toys in the same exact way each time?
...strongly attached to a specific unusual object(s)?

[Blossomhill]

Forgot to mention that my dd has autistic traits but no diagnosis yet (she is nearly 7) and her eye contact has always been a concern.

[CADS]

didn't think of calling her. She did mention to offer him two choices, etc but didn't say that he must make eye contact, will try it that way, though.

I think it is a case of him trying to get away with things because he mainly does it when he is being naughty and being told off or when I ask him to do something he doesn't want to.

He also, does other things too, like hitting me if he doesn't get his way or giving me kisses/hugs when he doesn't want to do something (eg if dh is wanting to take up to bed)

jambuttie - good luck with your ds's issues

Thank you

[CADS]

Thanks for the list blossomhill. Our only concern is his speech, i think this is due to reoccurring ear infections from 11-25mnths. He has been infection free for the last 6 weeks and during this time he has picked a alot more words, but unfortunately has falling behind his peers. The therapist is referring him to a speech therapy playgroup, and i think ASD is one thing they look out for. Some of her questions were definitely asked in order to establish the possibility.

[jambuttie]

and good luck to you too hun.


lossomhill thanks for all the info, you have described my son to a T

I kind of know what we are dealing with but think I am still in denial too if that makes sense?