Concerned grandmother

[patricia b]

my grandson is 15 months old and I am noticing these few things about him: He used to say dada and mama -- now only says dada. That's it. Never says mama anymore. Also, he rocks, on his knees, sitting, lying down. Just rocks now and then. Has begun throwing fits. Makes a very shrill noise and throws himself on the floor. My daughter moved a piece of furniture yesterday, he went over to it and pushed his head inbetween the two pieces, and tried to push it back to where it previously was.

I had been wondering about the rocking back and forth --- but now realize that he only says dada and never says mama or anything else. Isn't that strange for a 15 month old.

He loves watching the children's tapes with the classical music - he can watch them for hours on end, Just stand at the end of his bed and watch them over and over. Am I being paranoid?

[clgonzal]

Hi Patricia

I don't want to alarm you, but with my son (he was diagnosed with Autism) he was starting to talking saying mama, dady and suddenly he lost it and never repeate them again. Some of the symtoms of the disorder is transitional stress and obsession, so any change in their enviroment triggers them to want everything back to what it was, like the furniture issue you mentioned is a typical example you will find in every book you read about it. Also ocking back and forth, tantrums and aggresion are some of the most common displays, but do not forget Autism is a disorder, so it affect every person in a different way.

Hope this help, and good look.
Claudio

[patricia b]

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it. I don't want to be overly alarmed, but just noticed these few things and for some reason they have bothered me. I have had 3 children and 2 other grandchildren and none of them had first said words then not said them again. I just find that a little strange. But, like you said, every child is different in their development. I just appreciate any input anyone can give me.
Thanks so much for your reply.
Patricia B.

[clgonzal]

Sorry I forgot to mention speach delays and understanding are also part of the spectrum, something very simple I heard back in time from a Neurologist Pediatrician who first assest my boy, is that a child should know when they reach 12 months old, the meaning of the word "no" and react quickly when somebody say their names among others, so you should assest this because is clear indication that something is going on.

[patricia b]

Well he does know what the word "NO" means. He knows for example that he should not touch something, he will go over to it and touch it with his pointy finger and look at me --- and I will say "No, No, Ayden" and he will grin and look away and touch it over and over. The same game over and over. I did call his name yesterday and after 4 times he looked at me. He knows his name, but just didn't want to look at me. HE is very hard headed and has begun to throw such fits. But, he does have lots of expression and smiles a lot. I think that is a good sign. When his mom was pregnant she had a abnormal pab. I wonder if that has anything to do with possible autism? Is there any clear connection with anything causing it that you know of? When she was delivering, she also needed some type of shot before delivery.

[clgonzal]

Hi Patricia

The spectrum is very abroad some sign may not be present. My son also smiles and Laugh, play and other things, and he even talks now, in fact he’s a very happy child. He is a high function Autistic child; most of them talk and have expressions, pain and even interact with other but mostly adults. Some signs of the spectrum that you should check or review are:

Communication delays
Tantrums
Aggression
Lack of eye contact
Same age or pier playing (play with other Childs? or only adults?)
No imaginary playing
Rocking for long period of time or fixation in some objects or parts of objects
Weird interest in numbers and letters, videos, music

I just trying to give you some inside in the spectrum so you can make your own conclusions, but remember early intervention is the key, so if you suspectious about it some of his behaviour, you should better do an evaluation.

Regards
Claudio

[patricia b]

Thank you so very much for your input. It is greatly appreciated. My daughter seems to think that it is out of the question because he is very outgoing and smiles and has a lot of personality. But I will keep an eye on these things.

Thanks so much for your responses.

Patricia B.

[autimom]

hi patricia, I understand his mothers reaction and your concern. please remember there is a difference in being autistic and having an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many kids begin to speak and then lose all speech after an immunization. My own daughter is very outgoing with a very high IQ. My only advice to you would be to go to early intervention and let him be evaluated before he has any vaccinations. If he does have autism or another auto-immune disorder, further vaccinations could do irrepairable damage. I do not want to alarm you either, but if he is obsessing on videos, lost speech, and responds to change negativly early intervention could be key.

[Concerned_Aunty]

[QUOTE=patricia b]Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it. I don't want to be overly alarmed, but just noticed these few things and for some reason they have bothered me. I have had 3 children and 2 other grandchildren and none of them had first said words then not said them again. I just find that a little strange. But, like you said, every child is different in their development. I just appreciate any input anyone can give me.
Thanks so much for your reply.
Patricia B.[/QUOTE]

Hi there. It's great that you are observing and noticing such changes in your grandson. He is very lucky to have a caring/loving grandmother. I just wanted to tell you that while you seemed concerned (and may have reason to) some of what you are saying occurs in "regular" toddlers as well.

My daughter is now a week shy of 15 months. She started to say mama and dada when she was 10 mos old. Then she learned to walk, and never said our names again. Recently she started to say Mommy again, but no dada. Keep in mind that they sometimes set aside one new thing, to work on another. So your concern about the language delay is absolutely normal. But this isn't to say that it isn't a sign of autism. The head rocking etc..may be signs of autism, but my daughter also rocks sometimes if she hears music.

Have you expressed your concerns with the mother?

Good Luck Grandmother :) If it turns out to be autism, it's always better to find out sooner then later. And if it's just a phase, all the better.

[patricia b]

In the past couple of days Ayden has started this. Please let me know if this is any indicationg of autism, or maybe just being his age: when eating or drinking he has begun to put his food into one spot on his head. Just one spot. Even his drink, he will put it to his head and get in this one spot. Food, crumbs, you can tell whatever he has been eating or drinking because he brings it to this one particular spot on the side of the top of his head.

Any thoughts anyone?? Am I just being paranoid now?

Trisha

[michele ostrie]

dear pat. i too am a grandmother of a beautiful 10 year old boy with autism..when he was 1year old he said about 4 words, then at about 14 months, he started to cry alot and hardly ever looked in your eyes, also lost those few words he had..i went ahead without my daughter knowing and took him to his dr. well his dr. said i was looking for something.."he's fine!!" a few months later we took him to a specialist in autism..and then we did find out..so please talk to your daughter..check it out..the sooner the better...good luck, michele