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What Are The Symptoms Of Autistic Spectrum Disorder?
Question: I have a Master's degree in Early Intervention and have recently observed a friends 2 year old son. He is definitely showing signs of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. I have also taught these children in a Reverse Integration Early Intervention program here in Az for 6 years before I retired. Some behaviors I observed were,
- Staring at his hands for long periods of time. Also hand staring through a patio screen chair
- Twirling around on the Patio 2 times in a 2 hour visit
- Very little speech for age 2. Basically in two hours he had 3 words that were clear.
- Very little eye contact. I was able to talk to him and made eye contact for all of 3 seconds before he turned away.
- Play skills are young for his age except when he was staring at a block and turning it over and over in his hands
Fine motor skills were on target for his age
Gross motor were on target also
I would like to speak with them about what I'm observing but I know they will be heartbroken that someone has checked him out. His Pediatrician has not connected his behavior to Autism but he really needs assessment from an Early Interventionist in Phx or XXXXXXX
First should I get involved or let the process take it's course when he begins nursery school and they notice these bahaviors
Can You recommend a good assessment and a Psychologist in the area of Phx or XXXXXXX Az.
- Staring at his hands for long periods of time. Also hand staring through a patio screen chair
- Twirling around on the Patio 2 times in a 2 hour visit
- Very little speech for age 2. Basically in two hours he had 3 words that were clear.
- Very little eye contact. I was able to talk to him and made eye contact for all of 3 seconds before he turned away.
- Play skills are young for his age except when he was staring at a block and turning it over and over in his hands
Fine motor skills were on target for his age
Gross motor were on target also
I would like to speak with them about what I'm observing but I know they will be heartbroken that someone has checked him out. His Pediatrician has not connected his behavior to Autism but he really needs assessment from an Early Interventionist in Phx or XXXXXXX
First should I get involved or let the process take it's course when he begins nursery school and they notice these bahaviors
Can You recommend a good assessment and a Psychologist in the area of Phx or XXXXXXX Az.
Brief Answer:
Breaking the ice may be difficult. Many pediatricians are not well oriented
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Your observations are indeed appreciable and could point towards Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). I would definitely insist you to try to make his parents aware of the condition. I do not need to emphasize upon the significance of early intervention to you as you are already oriented about the same. Ask them to answer the M-CHAT questionnaire:
https://www.m-chat.org/mchat.php
They would automatically understand what it could indicate. You can reassert that the questionnaire is not confirmatory but indicates that the child needs to be evaluated further. The subsequent task can be taken up by a specialist.
It is important to visit a child psychologist. I do not personally know anyone from the area but the link below should help:
https://www.google.co.in/search?client=opera&q=scottsdale+arizona+child+psychologist&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
But more importantly, a developmental pediatrician should be consulted. The following link should be helpful in this regard:
https://www.google.co.in/search?client=opera&q=scottsdale+arizona+child+psychologist&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=scottsdale%20arizona%20developmental%20pediatrician
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Breaking the ice may be difficult. Many pediatricians are not well oriented
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Your observations are indeed appreciable and could point towards Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). I would definitely insist you to try to make his parents aware of the condition. I do not need to emphasize upon the significance of early intervention to you as you are already oriented about the same. Ask them to answer the M-CHAT questionnaire:
https://www.m-chat.org/mchat.php
They would automatically understand what it could indicate. You can reassert that the questionnaire is not confirmatory but indicates that the child needs to be evaluated further. The subsequent task can be taken up by a specialist.
It is important to visit a child psychologist. I do not personally know anyone from the area but the link below should help:
https://www.google.co.in/search?client=opera&q=scottsdale+arizona+child+psychologist&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
But more importantly, a developmental pediatrician should be consulted. The following link should be helpful in this regard:
https://www.google.co.in/search?client=opera&q=scottsdale+arizona+child+psychologist&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=scottsdale%20arizona%20developmental%20pediatrician
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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