worried my daughter 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.

You will get a better response if you put this in the 'special needs section'

thanks

all children develop at a different rate my son is 2.5 and only says single words still babbles alot but has good concentration and is advanced in certain areas the only thing i can say is a mother knows best if you feel its something other than delayed speech then do seek a second opinion and get her reasessed

i tooki my ds as thought he may have something other than delayed speech but in last few weeks he has come along leaps and bounds try to get some videos that teach words fun ones such as barney my ds has picked up alot from watching thease still need to tackle him forming sentences but i'm thankful he is making progress

i'm sorry its such a worrying time i do understand but if her understanding is good then all should follow

can she follow simple commands such as go picjk up that book or get your shoes? if so that is supposed to be a good thing but do ask for second opinion there is a group i have been advised about called snap its for special needs but also speech and behavior delays maybe it would be worth seeing if you had one in your area and phone to see about taking your dd along it may help good luck x

there are many different forms of autism and at your dd age it would be hard to see if just delayed in learning or anything else i'll say to just keep strong and encourage her some children wont say a word untill there 3 and all of a sudden talking sentences but if you do feel more to it consult gp to refer you to another doctor who may know more about different forms of autism and do check out to see if you have a snap near you

I've replied on the SN section. Agree with Fio's comments here as well.

sorry if i am repeating only read the op, i have ds2 who is autistic and dd sim age to your dd who sounds very similar. They are keeping an extra eye on her because of her brother. I have also done the Hanen. It is excellent and will be very beneficial, it helped me and my sin communicate to the extent that 18 months ahgo he couldnt talk and now he never stops. He is only slightly behind his peers. DD is coming on too, I have posted on the sn section about it but a couple of months ago I was worried sick and now she has 35 -40 words and has used 2 together very recently. I must add though that they think she isn't autistic like her brother. if you need to talk about it please cat me.

xx

Thanks Mummy2aaron, that sounds really encouraging.. just want to get the Hanen course underway to see an improvement.