Re: Toddler pointing and imagination stages?

Yvonne and Dan wrote:
[snip]
My mum says my brother didn't say a single word until he was 2 yet he isn't
autistic. My husband's sister never pointed yet she isn't autistic. My gut
instinct is that Stephen IS autistic but it's hard not knowing for sure.
Once we know for sure we can get him the help he needs. In england it's
difficult to get help until you have the formal diagnosis.

Some days Stephen seems more responsive. He's started giving us things now.
And in the last 2 days he's been saying the word 'yeah' when he does
something good. Sometimes we see signs that make us think he isn't autistic
but that's not very often. He doens't do pretend play and the pointing thing
is an issue. Also he has very sensitive fingers and loses the plot when I
cut his nails. He sings beautifully but simply does not talk. The health
visitor said she thinks he's a mild case because he looked at her, made eye
contact etc. Yet I've heard that some autistic children are very social.
Stephen is very social indeed and only time will tell if that is at an
inappropriate level.

I haven't any direct experience with autism, but a child I know
has Asperger's, which is on the autism spectrum. He was a very
late talker, but by the time he was six, he talked normally.
I don't know what his pointing was like.

One of my kids had very few words at 17mo, but started pointing much earlier.

[snip]

I took Stephen to a parent and toddler group this morning and he was very
different to the other children. He kept crawling in circles round a mat on
the floor and he wasn't aware to be careful of the younger children. I sat
him at the playdough table and he wanted to throw everything on the floor,
then we tried the water trough and he tried to take all the toys from that
and throw them on the floor. I really don't believe he's naughty - he just
doesn't understand. Sometimes he zones us out but his understanding in
general is very poor.

His behaviour at the group sounds very normal for a 18mo.

What was your son like (progress-wise) at 18 months and how has he changed
over the past few years?

I want the best for my son, and in all honesty I wish I could find out for
sure one way or the other tomorrow, then we can get treatment for him. I
know you say "it's not the end of the world" but right now it's the
not-knowing. And if he is autistic the not-knowing what sort of life he will
have. My husband is 47 and I'm 34, we worry about what will happen to
Stephen when we pass away. Will he be able to live on his own etc. I know
that's a long way off, but you can't help worrying when it's the great
un-known. Was your son diagnosed with 'mild' or 'moderate' autism? It sounds
like he's making good progress.

Even if he doesn't have a formal diagnosis, can your hv give you
information about local support groups?

--
Penny Gaines
UK mum to three
.

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