Just been told by pediatrician my 2 year girl probably has autism (70% chance)? Am I in denial or could this just be 'she is young'. ???

[Gilliana1]

Just come back from an assessment of my 2year, 2 mth old girl. We know she has dyspraxia already but I was not expecting them to say that most likely she has autism too. They said that they wouldn't formally diagnose until age 3 but there was a 70% likelihood. Not sure if I am in denial as I have come home thinking 'I don't think so'. I don't have ANY experience of autism so would be really grateful for any other thoughts (even if saying yes, sounds like it).

They did a full play based assessment and asked me a load of questions. Things they said that pointed to autism:

• She has selective hearing. When she gets absorbed in a toy (or TV) and you call her name she ignores. If you say 'want a biscuit' she will turn. But if you just say her name.. often she doesn't. I just always thought this was a typical toddler.

• Her eye contact is on her terms. She will make eye contact if she wants something, something is funny/amusing etc but often she won't make it and she won't maintain it.

• She doesnt like new foods. If we go 'yum yum' and eat the same in front of her she may try it... may push it away. isn't that normal toddler fussy eating?

• She likes building towers of blocks and does it really precisely. However, this is the only repetitive thing she does (no lining up of toys, things dont have to be in a certain order etc).

• she has language delay. Dyspraxia.

• she is really really sensitive. If she watches peppa pig and George cries she starts crying (or sticking her bottom lip out about to). She cries if her little sister cries.

She knows how to play with toys (feeds dolly and combs her hair), she makes gestures (waves, signs a bit - though doesn't make gestures for come which they picked on).

She does do A LOT of hand leading. if she wants something she will point or drag you to the object and put your hand on it. She signs more a lot.

All thoughts very gratefully received.

Thank you.

Hi, so sorry you are going through this, its not easy. Both of my dd's where diagnosed early, dd1 was 4 when we got a dx of Aspergers but we knew from early on that she was on the spectrum. Dd2 (similar to your dd) was diagnosed at the age of 3 with Autism but we were not told where on the spectrum she is. We now suspect dd1 has mild dyspraxia.

Your dd sounds very similar to my dd2 at that age, dd2 has improved a lot over the past 2 years, her language has improved and she started MS school in september.

Is she seeing a speech therapist?

I am sorry you are going through this too.

my dd1 was dx'd at 2.6, having been in the system for nearly 2 years by that point.

they CAN dx before 3, and if they think a dx is warranted, they should do so. delaying only leads to a delay in the help your dd recieves, if she needs it.

have you read about the triad of impairment? that is the only bit that counts when it comes to dx.

my dd showed empathy, didn't line up, was not routine fixated, had a great diet - she's still severely autistic.

Thank you. The ultra shyness and hiding behind your legs has just struck a major cord. She does that all the time.

If she is autistic - (finding reality hard to sink in) - should i be treating her differently? Doing things different. they just said they would assess again in 9 months.

Girls are very different to boys with autism so just Ne aware when you look at signs. She sounds like my dd1 hs a dx of high functioning autism. I would give yourself some time and get some light reading. Tony atwood does alot about girls on the spectrum.

Sounds like autism. Concerns raised about my daughter when she was 2, formally diagnosed few days before she was 4. She would use my hand to point, had delayed speech and limited eye contact. Is now 12 and at special school but can read and write although writing looks like that of 5 year old. Very verbal now! Young for age and loves cuddles, hates hair being brushed/washed (says I am worst parent in the world then wants hug).

Suggest you ask about speech therapy and occupational therapy (for gross and fine motor skills) if have not already or if has not been mentioned. Also about getting a Statement of Special Educational Need which details difficulties and states what is needed to help child. This is legal document and what it states must be provided.

My youngest is going though assessment ATM she is just three. I think they are getting beter at seeing it as early imput makes huge difference.

Sorry you are going through this, it is very hard to suddenly be confronted with something like this.
Most of your points sound very much like my DS, who, we've been told, has "borderline" ASD, which I take to mean he is on the mild end of the spectrum. I think they said this because he doesn't really show repetetive behaviours, which is one of the triad of impairments.
He is 3.5 now, we started to be really concerned about him a year or so ago and got started with speech therapy. We have also spent a lot of 1 to 1 time with him, just playing, reading and talking mostly, and he has improved a lot in the last year. We are due to start an ABA programme in febuary, if you haven't heard of ABA read up on it, this board is a good start.
Early intervention is very important, the more you can engage your DD and draw her out of her own world the better.