Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group
Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers.
My 6yo son, Connor worries me. I don't know what might be wrong but I have been trying to get his dr to test him. He has unusual mannerisms. I know you can't give an actual diagnosis, but does this sound like anyone else's child? I don't know whether it might be something like Aspergers or PDD-NOS or something else. It really worries me.
He follows people around to the point of being stepped on or elbowed accidentally. This includes complete strangers. He walks up to strangers and strikes up conversations, gives them hugs and tries to kiss them. He does not seem to understand what "stranger danger" means.
He is very intrusive. He does not understand personal space. He will sometimes put his hands on your throat, chest, or breasts when he is talking to you almost as a person would touch your arm in conversation.
He does not understand slang, sarcasm, figures of speech, or "who, what, where, when, why, how" questions. For instance if you ask him "How old are you?" he will answer with, "My name is Connor." He doesn't understand concepts like "under," "begin," "end," "above." And, he mixes up pronouns.
He walks on his toes, runs and jumps in inappropriate places. He repeats phrases several times. He has no fear of things like moving vehicles or poisonous animals, but is terrified of crickets or moths and other harmless things. He displays inappropriate rude gestures (like making farting sounds when someone is eating). He throws tantrums for no reason.
He completely ignores the Lincoln Logs he got last Christmas but plays constantly with the lid to the Lincoln Log container. He cries inconsolably if you throw away a pine cone or stick.
He eats and snacks constantly. He is not a chubby kid, but he snacks out of boredom and gulps down food to the point of choking and vomiting.
What does this sound like to you all? It would help if I could narrow down the things I ask his dr about instead of walking in and saying, "all this is happening, I need this test and this one and this one.....etc." Thanks everyone! And I'm sorry it is so long.
He follows people around to the point of being stepped on or elbowed accidentally. This includes complete strangers. He walks up to strangers and strikes up conversations, gives them hugs and tries to kiss them. He does not seem to understand what "stranger danger" means.
He is very intrusive. He does not understand personal space. He will sometimes put his hands on your throat, chest, or breasts when he is talking to you almost as a person would touch your arm in conversation.
He does not understand slang, sarcasm, figures of speech, or "who, what, where, when, why, how" questions. For instance if you ask him "How old are you?" he will answer with, "My name is Connor." He doesn't understand concepts like "under," "begin," "end," "above." And, he mixes up pronouns.
He walks on his toes, runs and jumps in inappropriate places. He repeats phrases several times. He has no fear of things like moving vehicles or poisonous animals, but is terrified of crickets or moths and other harmless things. He displays inappropriate rude gestures (like making farting sounds when someone is eating). He throws tantrums for no reason.
He completely ignores the Lincoln Logs he got last Christmas but plays constantly with the lid to the Lincoln Log container. He cries inconsolably if you throw away a pine cone or stick.
He eats and snacks constantly. He is not a chubby kid, but he snacks out of boredom and gulps down food to the point of choking and vomiting.
What does this sound like to you all? It would help if I could narrow down the things I ask his dr about instead of walking in and saying, "all this is happening, I need this test and this one and this one.....etc." Thanks everyone! And I'm sorry it is so long.
Getting the medicaid for kids can help.
My son has a speech delay. He only consistently uses two word sentences. He also "scripts" meaning he repeats dialogue from cartoons on TV, particularly Spongebob.
My son eats constantly too. The occupational therapist told me that is sensory behavior. Does your son put a lot of things in his mouth? My son does "recreational eating", which is more about having sensations in my mouth than anything else.
You don't have to go through all of the symptoms. Tell your pediatrician that you have noticed some developmental delays in speech and unusual behaviors, and that you would like to have him evaluated. He'll likely give you a referral to a child psychologist that will be able to give you a definitive diagnosis.
Now, I want to warn you. This process is going to be slow. For most people, it may take upwards of 8 weeks to get an appointment to be seen for an evaluation. And then after that, you'll be bombarded with questionnaires, paperwork, and pamphlets. My advice to you, and I wish someone else had given me this advice when my son was diagnosed over a year ago - get into a support group as soon as you have a diagnosis. They will be able to help guide you to the services that you need.
sometimes, though there may not be a cure, diet can help significantly with management.
look up GFCF diet. This will help alliviate many of these behaviors.
as it works for 80 percent of all children with issues such as those you describe.