Are these symptoms suggesting Autism or just look-alikes?

[katendmom]

It's very helpful to read experiences of others. I do have a question - is tactile hypersensitivity, speech development delay and aversion to food all symptoms of Autism? My son (20 month) was evaluated by a child psychologist/ OT group but they have not said anything about Autism. Is it because he is too young to be evaluated for it?

I just read up on Autism - really more like "101" and I am picking up on some cues that I see in my son's behavior. He isn't saying any words yet (20 months), he does like cars - primarily plays with them, tries to climb into a real car if is near by ? so does that classify as an ?obsession with a single object??

BUT, he likes to be held, he maintains eye contact (especially if it is during active play or when he wants something from you), responds to his name (not every single time though...) doesn't have repetitive behaviors... when playing, knows that you have to wait during ?ready? set? and only act on ?go? ? so does that classify as following rules of social play?

He is too young to tell if he can make friends? but if I make a serious, disapproving face ? he gets upset? so does it mean he IS reading social cues?

I'm very confused now... If your child was evaluated for Autism - what did it involve and at what age was he evaluated?

Wanted to bump for you as it only took 10 minutes for your post to get to the bottom of active convos and people who would be able to help you may have missed it.

Does he point at things (to point them out to you or others?) How old was he when he first did it?

Certinally what you have suggested could be traits of autism. I think its generally accepted that 20 months is too young to make any sort of assessment.

My DS is 9, and we are in the process of him being assessed for AS at the moment. He has always shown traits, but it is only recently that this has negatively impacted on his life and education which is why we are now hoping for a DX to help him access the help he needs.

Autism varies hugely from child to child, and there are several different types of autism (aspergers, High functioning, classic..). Not all children have all the traits. My DS has good eye contact, and (when he wants to) can engage in a converstation, however the way he talks is odd. He cannot read social cues and has no empathy. This causes him no end of problems at school. He has sensory problems, food aversions, but no speach delay. By 20 months he was obsessed with washing machine (to the exlusion of everything else). Our pead seems pretty convinces he will be diagnosed with AS.

Im no expert, but I would say you need to wait another year. If you are still worried then seek a further assessment. It is possible to have many autistic traits and not to be on the spectrum.

To be honest it is far too complicated to give you an answer. My DS loved to be held, in fact insisted on it. But he refused most foods and had little language. He could actually point ( although he then stopped)His diagnosis was profound ASD back then ( aged 2 ) but now it is all a little fuzzier.

I can understand your determination to find out what you and your child are dealing with but trying to get an internet evaluation is not really a great idea.
From what you have written he could have ASD, or he could have verbal dyspraxia and hypersensitivities.
The ready steady go isn't a social clue - it is a verbal one. It is good that he has that but not a social skill really. And your problem is that social and communication skills are still emerging at this age.
Try and get to know your son and let the pieces fall into place. He is getting a diagnosis so why don't you carry on investigating your options but wait and see for a month or two. It may all become clearer.
I really believe early diagnosis is a huge bonus but i am a little anxious that you will do what I did and stop interacting naturally with your child and end up peering at him looking for symptoms Really I did it and i regretted loosing that time with him and loosingthe ability ( for a while) to just roll on the floor and giggle with him and stop searching for clues.
Re the serious face - perhaps you just don't look very nice . My son used to laugh like a drain when i cried .
I hope this reads as I intend. I am not being flip or rude. But diagnosis is underway. I'd let it run for a month or so and see what emerges. Whatever happens you will see this clearer in the weeks that pass

Thank you all for replying (and for bumping up my post) . You're right - and it is something that I have read - Autism is a very complicated condition and it takes a lot (and a lot of professionals) to diagnose it...

To be honest - DS does not really point.. hmmm .

Well, he is already being taken care of through Early Intervention program. He works with an OT once a week. She is looking to start working on his food aversion/ eating habits. Will see... He is our sunshine and we love him to pieces - just want to make sure we're doing everything to make his life easier

My understanding is that pointing (or lack of it) is a big indication. Most children are pointing by 12-14mths. Does he clap and wave?

Does he copy you? If you bang some blocks together or press a button does he attempt to do the same? This is usual social interaction for a toddler. Does he come after you when you leave the room or reach his arms out to you?

I'm no expert. It sounds like you're getting all the intervention you need. Those who know best will hopefully be able to give you some answers soon.

Does he lift his arms up to persuade you to pick him up? Not doing that is considered another common autistic behaviour... you do need an actual in-person assessment, though, don't rely on us figuring him out.

First of all - let me just say "thank you" to all of you who're reading through my neurotic posts. I am starting to think that it is not so much my son who has a problem and needs help ...hmmm LOL

As to what he does - and doesn't do - it's a mixed bag. He claps when you clap (but not all the time), he just started waiving bye-bye (I guess later than normal for his age and not consistently); he doesn't point... in a classical senses - more like reaches out with his whole body... so no - does not point (and that has been noted as a concern).

He does follow us if we leave the room and he does lift his hands up to be picked up and held. He is affectionate (he'd come and pet our family dog very gently and do it on his own, without a cue)...

It's a bit more complicated regarding him being able to copy our actions (like banging cubes together) because he's been tested with having problems to motor-plan (he knows what he wants to do but can't quite figure out how to do it).

You're right - I need a r/l professional to be looking at this. He was evaluated just a couple weeks back by an OT/ Child Psy team but what surprised me was that they didn't say anything about Autism... Now I am reading about Dyspraxia (THANKS MN~) and thinking he might have that...

I AM MAD! Don't mind me!