regressive autism?

[Anonymous]

Can someone who's child has gone through regressive autism tell me how it started? My DD is 14 months and used to say "hi" and point at everything and in the few months has stopped saying "hi" and recently has stopped pointing. She's not really babbling at all and although not pointing is still making her demands known by throwing a temper tantrum if I don't give her what I think she wants. Should I be concerned at this point?

[Anonymous]

Does she make eye contact, have there been changing in her sleeping habits or bowels movements or eating habits as well?

[Anonymous]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regressive_autism

What you are describing does not sound like typical development. I would be concerned if it was my DC. I would make an appointment with Dr. Stanley Greenspan in Bethesda immediately, if you are on the waitlist you should get in soon. I'd call first thing on Monday. I would also investigate DAN doctors, there are many effective biomedical treatments/therapies. Time is of the essence.

Good luck to you and your daughter. Please check in.

[Anonymous]

Does she play appropriately? Will she pick up a toy broom and sweep like you do or use a toy phone like you do? Will she pretend to feed and hold a baby doll? Does she respond to her name when called?


The above helped me to realize my son was Autistic at a very young age (14-18 months). I would schedule an appointment with a Developmental Pediatrician. It will take a while to get in and you can cancel if you stop being concerned in the next couple of months. I have heard great things about Beverly Powell.

[Anonymous]

My son was 13 months when he regressed. He seemed more and more withdrawn, became very serious and went completely silent. Never lost any physical skills, but he didn't start talking again until he was 25 months. He also refused to eat solid foods for 6 months. He didn't use eye contact at all, again until he started talking again. He had no pretend play skills and was not imitating at all. He also didn't respond to this name. He also never pointed to things.

So he was a very stereotypical autistic child and we thought at that point he may be low-functioning. But now, 3 years later I am happy to report that after intervening heavily, he talks and has normal cognitive ability. We still deal with autistic behavior, but we know better how to control it and how to make sure he doesn't disappear again. (it was by far the most painful thing to watch)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does she play appropriately? Will she pick up a toy broom and sweep like you do or use a toy phone like you do? Will she pretend to feed and hold a baby doll? Does she respond to her name when called?


The above helped me to realize my son was Autistic at a very young age (14-18 months). I would schedule an appointment with a Developmental Pediatrician. It will take a while to get in and you can cancel if you stop being concerned in the next couple of months. I have heard great things about Beverly Powell.

Some kids master certain skills, then become bored with them or start focusing on other things... behaviors like waving might disappear, then reappear a few months later once they've mastered other things. Also, my son (who isn't autistic) became a bit shy at that age and didn't wave or say "hi" nearly as much. If your DC isn't exhibiting other red flags, then it's not necessarily a regression. Peace of mind is worth a lot though, so I would definitely check in with your pediatrician.

[Anonymous]

OP Here -- Thanks for all of the responses. My DD does play appropriately (she takes paper towel and pretends to wipe the floor, table, etc.). And she responds to her name about 50% of the time. (We asked her daycare provider about that one and she says she only responds when it suits her!) We've seen no change in other habits (eating, bowels, temper). She is learning how to walk and getting all of her first year molars at the same time so she does have a lot going on right now.

I think the PP is right and for peace of mind we'll call the ped and ask her opinion.

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

I agree with the poster who said to go to a developmental pediatrician. I highly recommend Dr. Conlon, who is actually a neurodevelopmental ped-even better! He has expertise in ASD and he is personable. There's a waitlist and he is out of network now for insurance, but it's worth it the wait and cost.

Greenspan is the guru and I think creator of floortime (an intervention for ASD or even other language disorders) and he charges a fortune. That is a route to go once you have an autism diagnosis. I have heard with the milder spectrum kids he gives another dx of something that just describes some of the symptoms of ASD.

[Anonymous]

I am the PP, also wanted to mention pediatricians are notorious for saying not to worry, when in fact there is an issue. If your child does turn out to have an ASD you don't want to lose valuable time. We went to an award winning ped who was out to lunch about the whole spectrum of autism. He was quite full of himself. He said that our son wasn't autistic because he smiled a lot, made good eye contact and was very connected to us. He told us NOT to get any intervention. We dumped him. My son is making great strides 2 years later thanks to intervention, but his profile of strengths and weaknesses ais soooooo typical for autism and the way he develops language and uses it screams autism spectrum. Talk to your ped, but I recommend getting on the waitlist for a dev ped. You can always cancel. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

If she is learning to walk, then other motor skills (pointing & walking) may take a step back. I am a speech therapist & typically at this age it is hard to learn & use multiple motor movements at one time. If she never responded to her name (kids at this age start becoming independent so they may not care when you call their name) or didn't have age appropriate play skills (imitating) I would be more concerned. That being said, you should trust your gut & if you feel something is wrong get it checked out for peace of mind. Your daughter should have a 15 mo. well check up & you should def. bring it up with your ped.