worried my daughter is autistic

[grantsolo]

i'm worried about DD, she is 26 months old, is not talking, has never pointed out things in a sharing interest way. She doesn't copy gestures or speech, but she understands loads, can point out objects in books when asked, and is very affectionate. She's always had very good concentration and enjoys jigsaw puzzles and books. She will bring books and puzzles to me but she is not interested in showing me things. Recently has started twisting her hands in front of her eyes quite often. She is not set in routines, eats anything put in front of her, will share food and toys with no problems and is generally very happy. She's been to a SALT 5 mnths ago and from that we introduced her making a noise to ask for things.. she says "da" but won't say anything else. we saw a paed who thought not autistic but didn't discharge us. DD is too young to tell. She doesn't seem to be improving and at 2yrs and 2 months has no real words of speech. The thing which most concerns us is the lack of sharing interest. We're about to do a Hanen More then words course for children with Social communication difficulties. Has anyone got children with similar traits and has anyone done the hanen course and did it help? DH and I feel that we are not enjoying what should be a magical time as we are constantly worried.

[gess]

The Hanen course will help- whatever the outcome. Do keep pushing for a diagnosis especially if it would alter the help she gets. She's not too young to assess (although sometimes watchful waiting is sensible).

I joined some ASD things a year or so before ds1 was dxed- which helped. So don't think you have to wait for dx before doing anything.

Has she had hearing tests etc (if not worth getting done even if you think its fine as they'll want to rule out hearing problems- and it's just another wait).

You could also look into things like ABA/son-rise etc- again a dx is not needed for them to be useful.

[onlyjoking9329]

i know a bit about autism.
it sounds like her understanding is good, it is also good that she isn't set in any self imposed routines, how is she with other children?
what sorts of things does she play with?

[grantsolo]

she had a hearing test and its 100% ok.. she's not fazed by other children and will play along side them (and will sometimes hug them if i ask her to).. she will sometimes give them toys of her own accord.. also she enjoys rough play with DH and once or twice has intsigated hilarious wrestling matches with another toddler who she sees quite often.. she loves jigsaws, and likes soft toys but generally likes to arrange them in lines.. she likes toys where pressing buttons make a noise.. hardly any imaginite play altho in session with SALT she brushed a dolls hair and all of the adults who were present..we don't let her watch much tv, she loves teletubbies and jumps up and down when watching.. another thing is every night she jumps up and down in her cot for hours before going to sleep.. not crying but lots of shouting.. does any of this sound familiar?

[gess]

She does sound a little like ds1 at that age (quite passive & affecitonate) & the pros found it hard to dx him. He wasn't fussed by routines etc either then. She sounds a little more on the ball than he was though.

Really think getting imitation going is a big key. Have a good look at ABA & also Son-Rise and Floortime (ABA has the most data to support it, but Floortime can be a good place to start -easier to instigate without support). DS1 leanred to imitate a few months ago aged 8 and its made a big difference to him. Would have been great if he's got it at 2!

[grantsolo]

Gess, where's the best place to find out about ABA, son-rise and Floortime? is there a website? Thanks.. can I ask, did your Ds1 laugh alot? DD does laugh, certain things make her giggle.. she's defo a happy child.. sometimes i wonder if she's just really strong-willed/single-minded..

[grantsolo]

Checked those things online and they seem geared towards autism.. not sure if Dd is or not.. will bear them in mind in the future.. our first Hanen course is next Tuesday and i know that covers getting the child to imitate etc..really hoping this will make a difference.. thanks very much for your advice

[gess]

It's a steep learning curve. Don;t expect to become an expert overnight but perhaps start googling.

For Floortime google the PLAY project & autism as search terms. The PLAY website is great as it has lots of video to look at. If you google Floortime and Greenspan you'll get quite a lot of free info as well.

For ABA check out Peach in the UK.

We used Growing Minds who use both ABA and Son-Rise (very different!) but worth googling all those terms separately.

HUGE learning curve though. Take it slowly.

[gess]

They're focused on autism but they'll help even if its just a delay. The key really is to get imitation going- doesn't matter what the dx is. (and you need to start with gross motor, then fine, with object, then finally speech, althought they may follow quickly on).

[MazzieJ]

Hi Grantsolo, my DD is 34 months old, she has a lot of the signs that you have said for your DD too. I have been to see a specalist with her & she has reported her to be Global Developement Delay with autistic traits. She is now going to have a hearing test & speach theraphy, Portage & further assesing which will hopefully end up with a statement. I too feel constantly worried. She is just starting a playgroup, but she's quite in her own world & not very alert. She looks at her hands quite alot while walking round in circles sometimes & sometimes flaps them about when she's excited. She gets upset & can head bang when i take her out to somewhere that she's not particually interested in & doesn't like waiting much. She's not really routined though. Mental retardation is very common & usally acompanys autism. When she was born she had the cord round her neck i got there at 10am & didnt give birth to her until 8:30pm too long in my opinion for her to be somewhat starved of oxygen. Must have had an effect. She has suddenly stared to say words after our recent family holiday. My DD like yours is very affectionate too when she can come out of her bubble & notice ! Were lucky to have such sweet girls. It is always a constant worry. But everyone loves her.

[grantsolo]

Thanks MazzieJ..my DD is much loved too..she's still young so hopefully this Hanen course will help us to help her.. have you tried Hanen? I've heard very good things...

[luczluutoo]

We did a Hanen course for our son who had a speech development issue,He didn't talk until at least 2.5yrs although we knew he could understand us(was able to get things from fridge or certain toys when asked).Both myself and DH found it really beneficial and took all the points and suggestions on board,it was also a relief to meet other parents in a similar situation to us and to be able discuss our children.Our son also attended a special needs nursery who really helped with signing and supporting us throughout that frustrating and worrying time.

My son is nearly 5 now and all of his development issues have all but disapeared,hes a chatty sensitive child who's just started main stream school.

Wish you all the best.

[luczluutoo]

Btw DS was given the global development delay diagnosis also hypermobility syndrome.Please try not to worry (difficult I know!)Sometimes it just takes time for them to click it all into place.

[grantsolo]

that sounds really encouraging .. did your ds ever copy gestures or noises? our dd never copies gestures or noises so we're not sure if signing would work for her..

[gess]

Signing won't work imo without imitation (we tried!) You can teach it hand over hand but ou need 2 people and its not great. PECS is a much better option if there's no imitation. My son has been using PECS since he was 3 and is now adding in Makaton as well (since learning to imitate he's learned loads of signs- after years of not learning a single one).