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Children's health

Can anyone who knows about autism help re DN?

13 replies

Virgil · 26/12/2012 10:03

Spent the day with DN yesterday. It is obvious that something is wrong in terms of her development. She is three years old, pretty much non verbal given half a chance. She will clap at my DSis if she wants something or shout half a word. Most of the day she clapped at people and shouted Cud (meaning she wanted to be picked up). She can say some words but clearly has difficulty with various sounds. We were looking at a cookery book together talking about the food and she said hi for fish and be for bread. Each sound is kind of forced out.

She seems to understand what is being said to her but mainly just nods or shakes her head. If she doesn't get attention immediately she gets very angry and aggressive.

She was slow to walk, a friend of a friend who is a nurse thought she might have problems with her hips when she saw her in the street.

My DSis knows something is wrong but the GP being helpful. They thought she might have cerebral palsy initially but have now said they don't think so. Hearing test apparently came back fine and she does seem to be able to hear without difficulty.

Any thoughts. We we discussing yesterday and thought maybe autism? DSis is basically at a loss as to what to do. DSis used to be a Montessori nursery teacher so knows that developmentally DN is way behind where she would expect her to be. Does this sound like it could be autism?

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cansu · 26/12/2012 10:13

Tbh it really isn't possible to tell from your description. Many children with autism have problems with language but there could be many other explanations. What your sil needs is a referral to a developmental paediatrician who can assess properly. Gp won't be able to diagnose. I would get her to write a list of everything she is concerned about and take that to gp and ask for proper referral. In the meantime she could probably get some good advice of special needs board as to what she can do to help her dd while waiting.

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FrustratedSycamoreSnowflake · 26/12/2012 10:15

I'd chase the hearing test again, for auditory neuropathy (needs 2 different tests) not talking at 3 is a big delay, can DN hear if facing away from you?
Are speech and language involved?

How is her behaviour? How does she play?
Did she meet other development milestones?
Does it look like she learnt to walk yesterday?

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3b1g · 26/12/2012 10:23

She needs a full developmental assessment done by a paediatrician if your sister wants a diagnosis for her. From reading your post it could be one of any number of developmental issues.

The anger and aggression could be as a result of frustration from not being able to communicate.

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Virgil · 26/12/2012 10:26

Thanks candu, I'm not sure who they've seen so far so will tell her to make the list and ask for the referral.

Frustrated she does seem able to hear even when facing away. She is spoken to although my DSis admits that since she knows the meaning of the points and claps she does often respond rather than try to force DN to use the words.

Behaviour is bad, very aggressive, snatches anything she wants, lots of hitting of her brother, screams a lot. She is incredibly demanding. She basically just wants to be picked up and cuddled all the time or read to. She will play but I've never seen her playing on her own for longer than about a minute, only when guided by an adult.

She doesn't look like she learnt to walk yesterday but she is wobbly and I would say is probably about a year or so behind in terms of movement. She won't draw or anything like that.

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FanjoTimeMammariesAndWine · 26/12/2012 10:33

It sounds like delay to me..not necessarily ASD.

ASD doesnt equal bad aggressive behaviour.

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amistillsexy · 26/12/2012 10:57

The lack of self directed play and need for adult reassurance are, imo, linked to the developmental delay. Of you consider her developmental age rather than her chronological age, and treat her accordingly, you may find that she is less frustrated.
Easier said than done, I know. Ds is currently a 9 yo who is developmentally around 4 emotionally, but around 14 intellectually... Very challenging and wearing, but treating him with an awareness of his developmental stage is definitely easier than being in constant conflict and him being in high arousal due to frustration.

Second all advice re. Listing concerns and pushing for referral.

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amistillsexy · 26/12/2012 11:00

Meant to add, my ds has asd (as), but developmental delay/acting out not necessarily a marker of asd.

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TheLightPassenger · 26/12/2012 11:04

agree with everyone else. it may be language/developmental delay rather than autism - as languge delay will hold back social and play skills. something else your Dsis may want to look into is verbal dyspraxia. The Parent's Guide to Speech and Language problems by Debbie Feit is v useful for general info, the Hanen books (www.hanen.org.uk) for practical advice for language delay.

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TheLightPassenger · 26/12/2012 11:05

is she on waiting list for SALT now she has had hearing test?

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3b1g · 26/12/2012 11:17

amistillsexy: I have one of those! Biological age 10, intellectual/cognitive age 14ish, social/behavioural age 7ish. Never a dull moment.

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FanjoTimeMammariesAndWine · 26/12/2012 12:16

Have got a 6 year old 2 year old here too

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FrustratedSycamoreSnowflake · 26/12/2012 12:26

Does your sister sign with her (or has she considered it) delayed speech can often have a huge impact on behaviours. My dds speech and language is half of her chronological age, and a lot of her behaviour and social skills match her language age rather than her actual age. So simplifying language and expectations of language have helped us.

Meant to say earlier, based on your op, it doesn't sound like ASD to me, but definately a delay of sorts.

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cestlavielife · 26/12/2012 23:02

She needs a full developmental assessment including speech therapy ones and others like bayley scale of infant development or griffiths test. Which lokk at motor skills as well and show where she needs help. Does she go to a nursery ? They can also help refer for assessment.

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