mommyfun
03-08-2005, 02:12 PM
I am very worried about my niece who turned 2 in January. I have always noticed something was different with her, but if I try to mention it to my sister she acts as though I'm trying to be hurtful. She has a very competative attitude toward my girls. I would never compare the children, nor would I ever wish something to be wrong with the niece I love so dearly. She has been sickly from birth. She was diagnosed with an immature digestive system at a month old. She seems to have such a low immune system, with chronic ear infections, and constant runny nose. Six months ago I babysat her along with my sister. We were both disturbed by the way she ate her dinner. She kept putting in the back of her thoat and then purposely gagging on it. It was very disturbing. She sat up late, never crawled, and walked very late. Her motor skills are lacking. She only uses about two or three words, but what seems so strange to me is the fact that she recently began calling her father mommy. She used to know him as dada. I am so worried for my neice and I want to know how to know if this is autism so that I could possibly step in with the facts. I know there is no other way my neice will get the help she needs. Please help. Is this autism or something else?