Does my son sound Autistic??

[JASMAK]

I can't remember the name of the specific test the children's neuro-psychologist used. It took 10 months, so I wouldn't say ours is 'quick' by any stretch, and apparently ours was a 'quick' diagnosis at 10 months!! Ours here takes a multi-disciplinary approach. She had to have months-long assessments by a developmental paediatrician, speech pathologists (3), occupational therapists, infant development worker, audiology test, and a regular pediatrician. All those assessments were put together and given to the Children's hospital where the children's neuro-psychologist reviewed it. Then she came in and did a whole day assessment based on the following (which some may find helpful reading through):

I. A total of six (or more) items from heading (A), (B), and (C), with at least two from (A), and one each from (B) and (C):

(A) Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
•Marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction.
•Failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level. • A lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people, (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people).
•A lack of social or emotional reciprocity. (B) Qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following.
•Delay in or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime).
•In individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others.
•Stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language.
•Lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level.

(C) Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by at least two of the following:
•Encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus.
•Apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals.
•Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g. Hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements).
•Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects.

II. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years:

(A) Social interaction.

(B) Language is used in social communication.

(C) Symbolic or imaginative play.

III. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett’s Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

This is what they use in CAMHScentres UK.

https://portal.wpspublish.com/portal/page?_pageid=53,70384&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

https://www.byparents-forparents.com/parenting/testing-for-autism.htm

 

[JASMAK]

Also, here is some information of 'normal' development:

SOCIAL-COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES*
9 Month Developmental Milestones
• will follow a point when the caregiver points and exclaims, “oh, look at the (familiar object)!”
12 Month Developmental Milestones (The above, plus the following)
• will attempt to obtain an object out of reach by getting the caregiver’s attention through pointing,
verbalizing, and making eye contact (“protoimperative pointing”
• babbling; and,
• gesturing (e.g. pointing, waving bye-bye).
15 Month Developmental Milestones (All of the above, plus the following)
• makes eye contact when spoken to;
• reaches to anticipate being picked up;
• shows joint attention (shared interest in object or activity);
• displays social imitation (for example, reciprocal smile);
• waves “bye-bye”;
• responds to spoken name consistently;
• responds to simple verbal request;
• says “mama,” “dada”; and,
• other single words (by 16 months).
18 Month Developmental Milestones (All of the above, plus the following)
• points to body parts;
• speaks some words;
• has pretend play (e.g. symbolic play with doll or telephone);
• responds when examiner points out object;
• will point to an interesting object, verbalize, and look alternatively between the object and the
caregiver simply to direct the adult’s attention to the object (“protodeclarative pointing” and,
• brings objects to adults just to show them.
24 Month Developmental Milestones (All of the above, plus the following)
• uses two-word phrases;
• imitates household work;
• shows interest in other children; and,
• two-word spontaneous (not just echolalic) phrases) by 24 months

 

[JASMAK]

red flags for autism:
CLINICAL CLUES/RED FLAGS FOR POSSIBLE ASD*
• delay or absence of spoken language;
• looks through people; not aware of others;
• not responsive to other people’s facial expressions/feelings;
• lack of pretend play; little or no imagination;
• does not show typical interest in peers, or play near peers purposefully;
• lack of turn taking;
• unable to share pleasure;
• qualitative impairment in nonverbal communication;
• not pointing at an object to direct another person to look at it;
• lack of gaze monitoring;
• lack of initiation of activity or social play;
• unusual or repetitive hand and finger mannerisms; and,
• unusual reactions, or lack of reaction, to sensory stimuli.

 

[JASMAK]

Does your child:
“DOES YOUR CHILD ...
• not speak as well as his or her peers?”
• have poor eye contact?”
• not respond selectively to his or her name?”
• act as if he or she is in his or her own world?”
• seem to ‘tune others out’?”
• not have a social smile that can be elicited reciprocally?”
• seem unable to tell you what he or she wants, thus preferring to lead you by the hand or get desired
objects on his or her own, even at risk of danger?”
• have difficulty following simple commands?”
• not bring things to you to simply ‘show’ you?”
• not point to interesting objects to direct your attention to objects or events of interest?”
• have unusually long and severe temper tantrums?”
• have repetitive, odd, or stereotypic behaviours?”
• show an unusual attachment to inanimate objects, especially hard ones (e.g. a flashlight or a chain vs.
a teddy bear or a blanket)?”

 

[JASMAK]

the last three are from
https://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2003/asd_standards_0318.pdf

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

Great info x

 

[JASMAK]

Yeah, one in particular thing Makena did was hold a 'Boots' figurine. She held it a certain way...all day, night, while eating...everything. She didn't play with it, she just held it. I was surprised to see this on the list:
• show an unusual attachment to inanimate objects, especially hard ones (e.g. a flashlight or a chain vs.
a teddy bear or a blanket)?”

I had no idea at the time that her carrying that Boots toy was a significant sign. We took it away after that whole China lead paint scandal. It was one of the recalled toys. It had lead in the paint. Good thing my daughter carried it for over a year...24/7.