Characteristics of Autism
A few days ago I asked this very question on our Facebook page AutismTalk. Three days later that have been over 500 responses with literally hundreds of interleaved comments. So clearly it is one of the most valuable of the conversation we have run.
Due to the , rather, transitory nature of social media we though it would be useful to keep some of the comments and use them as the basis of a discussion blog. It would be great if you could use the comment boxes at the bottom of this post to share your answer to the question “What first gave you the idea that your child might be on the autism spectrum?”.
I have covered our son’s diagnosis on this blog before. You can read John’s story here. It is worth mentioning that John was recessive and the first sign of classic autism really only became apparent when he was two. In his case this was loosing much of his ability to speak which had been pretty typical of a developing child up to that point.
Looking at our responders there seems to be a very wide range of symptoms and signs of autism.
Jade, for example shared “I had 3 children under three. My Autistic son was the middle child.
I could see the girls thriving, playing, talking, looking at me and my son did none of that.
He didn’t say his first word till he was 4 and a half, he wouldn’t and still doesn’t make eye contact, he didn’t comprehend what I was saying or asking of him. He threw some mega tantrums ( he was frustrated and trapped in his own world) He hated loud noises and bright nights. He didn’t and doesn’t like to be touched or hugged. Couldn’t stand not to have socks on, he hated the feel of the carpet, grass or sand on his feet. It was very scary for me, I was a single mum when he was diagnosed, no one in my family knew anything about Autism and their was very little support in my area. My son is almost 17 and doing amazingly”
While Tammy was brief and to the point. “No eye contact and lining up toys” In fact another of John’s early symptoms was loss of eye contact!
For Derek “Not pointing or following others point. Lack of shared enjoyment. Very little babbling. Food aversion, and dislike of food utensils in mouth. Sound & light sensitivity. Meltdowns in shopping centres! All this before 12 months. We did DIR Floortime with him and everything changed.
Now at 6 he is unrecognisable in some ways. He’s bright, bubbly, friendly (dare I say popular), polite, helpful and lovely. Still autistic, and still has many challenges, but also has amazing strengths. Don’t give up on your kids!”
“Speech was repetitive starting at around age 2, lined up his toys, and covered his ears when we sang happy birthday to him at age 2.” said Jaclyn.
Dawn mentioned our old friend “Hand flapping, toe walking, and lack of speech and eye contact at 12 mos old”.
Even some symptoms did not have an immediate impact for Dawn “No speech and only babbling at 3.5, but even then I still had my head in the sand about a diagnosis of ASD”.
Shawn was helped by her mother “My mom, she was a manager in a public school cafeteria. She saw a older child who display similar characteristics to my son who only 2 at the time. Before she uttered it 11 yrs ago I had never even heard of the word! May she rest in peace. u mom & thx for everything.”
” I knew absolutely nothing about autism but my daughter always seemed different. She had no interest in learning, words came and went, some people asked me if she was deaf, she loved to spend hours throwing things over things, and she just always seemed to live in her own little world. I’m very grateful that I have always been included in her little world even though most are not.” mentioned Dixie.
Calre some was spotted by “A health professional from our schools team when I tried to get my boy some counselling help for his ‘outbursts’ or ‘meltdowns’. She recognised it, talked it through with me about making an assessment referral and all the pieces fell into place. My handsome young man was diagnosed as high functioning autistic just before his 11th birthday. Strangely, it’s made life easier :))). Maybe that’s because we all understand a little bit more each day x”
While there are many many more I would like to end with Christine’s moving post “This might sound kind of weird – but I knew from the first day that my daughter was different. My daughter always seemed so far away and “wise” compared to other babies. She scared away the little old ladies looking into the pram or into her crib at home, trying to catch her attention by just looking through them very seriously. She didn’t crawl but on her first birthday she started shuffeling around on her bottom and didn’t try to stand up before she was 19 months old but then all of sudden she stood up and walked without falling even once. She always talked to her cats and dogs more than she did to other people. As a child she didn’t talk to strangers at all, even if these strangers were her teachers. My daughter is 19 today, she has Asperger’s and her “therapy” are our family animals (cats, dogs, chickens, horses) and she works at a horse farm, training young horses and even drives visitors around with a horse-drawn carriage with two horses. In that surrounding she can even talk to the people on her carriage and engage in conversation with strangers. 12 years of school resp. college were very hard and stressful, although she never lacked intelligence – until a little more than a year ago she decided, that she didn’t want to go to University but only work with horses. So she quit school and took on an apprenticeship on that horse farm… Our children on the spectrum are challenged, we are challenged to guide them into their lives – and they teach us and other people around them so much “.
So over to you. What was the first thing that made you think that your child was on the spectrum. It would be great if you could add your comments to the comments box below.
Thanks very much in advance.
| BrittanyHayden | My son is almost 18 months, with an appointment later this month to be tested for Autism… he was low birthweight (5 15) at birth, and had IUGR. He was “normal” for about the first year of his life except he made his milestones later than normal. By his first birthday, he could say two words. In between then and now, he lost those two words, gained three more and is halfway losing one more. One of the words he learned around 16-18 months was “donald duck” which he got from tv, not me. His head is too large for his weight and height. He won’t eat alot of foods. When we were at his appointment in July, before they referred him to EI, he was spinning on the floor on his butt over and over flapping his hands. He can’t walk at all, can only stand for a few seconds. He can’t climb anything like furniture. He doesn’t respond to his name about 50% of the time sometimes more, and has a blank look on his face. He stares at walls, or things. He will play with the same thing or play the same song over and over again. He will open and close doors. If a door is open, he HAS to close it. He has alot of sleep problems. He will not sleep without a pacifier. He will not get through the day without a pacifier. He gets over stimulated. He bangs his head against the wall. He bites people. He will let someone pick him up and smile at them to get them to pick him up, but when they do, he will not make eye contact. He will only say the few words he knows if you ask him to… so basically he is just copying those 2-3 words. He eats pretty good, but only wants to eat maybe once or twice a day, otherwise he will throw the food and not eat it. He is terrified of a vacuum, dogs barking… he hates hearing babies cry esp newborns. He throws his toys… I mean he throws them more than playing with them. I don’t think he has the motor skills to line things up so he throws stuff. It doesn’t matter if he hits you or not, he doesn’t care. He plays with keys, remotes, phones, the buckles on his highchair, swing, etc. He shakes his head a lot. He doesn’t understand “no”. He will NOT say anymore words then the words he has. We’ve tried. He is aggressive, he will slap you in the face, he will bite, pinch, scratch you. He has GI problems. He will get over stimulated when playing and will start stimming (flapping his hands and arms over and over). I got the M-CHART-R, the 18 month questionnaire and the other questionnaire in yesterday and filled them out, and on the M-CHART he scored AT RISK FOR AUTISM. On the 18 month questionnaire, he scored in the black area for everything except fine motor. So, basically he needs help with communication (scored 5 out of 60) gross motor (scored 5 out of 60) personal-social (scored 25 out of 60) and problem solving, he scored 20 out of 60. He has a lot of the problems they ask about on the other questionnaire. He doesn’t play with any children but his sister… he will get excited to see them but won’t play with them or talk to them except babble. He doesn’t understand most simple commands. When I point at something, he won’t look at it.if anyone can help, please email me at brittany_hayden@ymail.com or I am on Facebook. Thanks. |
| Shawnamj | We are waiting for our appointment with the developmental pediatrician for my son’s evaluation. In the meantime el is coming out and working with him starting in two weeks. Gage turned two in August and there have been several signs early on. I had Gage later in life (at 36) and was never really around other children to know any different. He was my first diaper change and everything baby related. He never responded to his name. I questioned it but I was told maybe hes distracted or he will eventually come around.He hit all his milestones on time. He said mama, Dada, bye,up and would wave goodbye. He wouldn’t look when I pointed at things but I never really thought anything about it. Hes always had good eye contact and loves being around people especially kids. Around 18 months when his brother was born he stopped talking and using silverware. He will only eat certain foods and gags when I try to introduce something new. He teeth grinds all day long and can jump for hours screeching and babbling. He gives hugs and affection on his terms and time but that makes it all the more sweeter. I see improvements, he starting to come around with his 7 month old brother by kissing him on the head or bringing him toys. Im just ready to start the journey of learning how to help him the best I can. |
| ButterflyMomma | With my oldest son, now 10, the signs weren’t as obvious. He did the arm flapping, was slow to talk (around 2 years old), and doesn’t make great eye contact (but not so little as to really get your attention). He did circles when talking excitedly and struggles to understand why some kids tease or bully him. He was diagnosed in 2nd grade, when his amazing teacher recommended it. I was in denial from the start, so was my husband and my Mom. Over the last three years though, I’ve begun to accept and support his diagnosis. He receives therapy through the school and has blossomed because of it. Now, we are having our twins examined because at almost two years old, both are nonverbal, doing circles, heavily sensory, and stare off into space with little to no eye contact. At least this time around, I feel prepared. |
| ClaudiaGabrielaMiller | Many tantrums. Walked at 8 1/2 months. Food sensitivity. Could not hold him in arms like regular babies as far as.I can remember he wiggled into upright position not laying down. Threw up frequently because he would often over eat. Freakishly strong as.a.toddler. Piled or lined up toys for long periods of time. If.tbey fell or.moved.would have a meltdown and then go back to task. Walks a little hunched. Flaps.hands. he is 11 1/2 and still.wets bed. So of.course now we.can.go on and on about different behavior |
| KimberlynCanga | Going to my son’a 18 month check receiving the MCHAT to fill out and realizing I was checking off mostly No’s… I said to my fiancé , I think we need to ask the doctor if we should worry..? I asked the doctor and he reassured me Mason looks fine I shouldn’t worry….2 came and he wasn’t really saying much, making noises instead of pointing when he wanted something.. It became so routine we knew what he wanted so we didn’t really push him to “use his words” I continued to observe him and noticed little quirks like staring for long seconds or even up to a minute, getting dressed. Finger tapping on hiis chest, not making direct eye contact then 3 came an d he still was at 2-3 word sentences so I moved/called around and got him Iin to get assessed by a specialist I had to wait almost 6 months to see the specialist finally at age 4 he was diagnosed with ASD… My Mason is wonderful, smart, unique,lovable, also very popular and getting his speech therapy 2 times a week.. |
| JessicaWebster1 | My 2nd son hit 2 and a half and was still completely non-verbal. He ran around in circles a lot. Had huge “tantrums” all the time. We didn’t think much of it, especially as we knew nothing about autism. I watched that movie “Adam” one night and despite the significant differences due to age, the similarities in minor nuances blew me away. So I asked my mother-in-law what she thought (I am very close to her and value her opinion) and she agreed with my husband and I that we should take him to see someone. He was always the odd one. Never played with other kids. No eye contact. A little OCD and some other stuff that I just can’t really explain, but clearly made him different to my other children. In the weeks between making the pediatrician appointment, and actually going he “crashed” really bad and the signs were extremely noticeable by then. |
My son is almost 18 months, with an appointment later this month to be tested for Autism… he was low birthweight (5 15) at birth, and had IUGR. He was “normal” for about the first year of his life except he made his milestones later than normal. By his first birthday, he could say two words. In between then and now, he lost those two words, gained three more and is halfway losing one more. One of the words he learned around 16-18 months was “donald duck” which he got from tv, not me. His head is too large for his weight and height. He won’t eat alot of foods. When we were at his appointment in July, before they referred him to EI, he was spinning on the floor on his butt over and over flapping his hands. He can’t walk at all, can only stand for a few seconds. He can’t climb anything like furniture. He doesn’t respond to his name about 50% of the time sometimes more, and has a blank look on his face. He stares at walls, or things. He will play with the same thing or play the same song over and over again. He will open and close doors. If a door is open, he HAS to close it. He has alot of sleep problems. He will not sleep without a pacifier. He will not get through the day without a pacifier. He gets over stimulated. He bangs his head against the wall. He bites people. He will let someone pick him up and smile at them to get them to pick him up, but when they do, he will not make eye contact. He will only say the few words he knows if you ask him to… so basically he is just copying those 2-3 words. He eats pretty good, but only wants to eat maybe once or twice a day, otherwise he will throw the food and not eat it. He is terrified of a vacuum, dogs barking… he hates hearing babies cry esp newborns. He throws his toys… I mean he throws them more than playing with them. I don’t think he has the motor skills to line things up so he throws stuff. It doesn’t matter if he hits you or not, he doesn’t care. He plays with keys, remotes, phones, the buckles on his highchair, swing, etc. He shakes his head a lot. He doesn’t understand “no”. He will NOT say anymore words then the words he has. We’ve tried. He is aggressive, he will slap you in the face, he will bite, pinch, scratch you.
He has GI problems. He will get over stimulated when playing and will start stimming (flapping his hands and arms over and over). I got the M-CHART-R, the 18 month questionnaire and the other questionnaire in yesterday and filled them out, and on the M-CHART he scored AT RISK FOR AUTISM. On the 18 month questionnaire, he scored in the black area for everything except fine motor. So, basically he needs help with communication (scored 5 out of 60) gross motor (scored 5 out of 60) personal-social (scored 25 out of 60) and problem solving, he scored 20 out of 60. He has a lot of the problems they ask about on the other questionnaire. He doesn’t play with any children but his sister… he will get excited to see them but won’t play with them or talk to them except babble. He doesn’t understand most simple commands. When I point at something, he won’t look at it.
if anyone can help, please email me at brittany_hayden@ymail.com or I am on Facebook. Thanks.
We are waiting for our appointment with the developmental pediatrician for my son’s evaluation. In the meantime el is coming out and working with him starting in two weeks. Gage turned two in August and there have been several signs early on. I had Gage later in life (at 36) and was never really around other children to know any different. He was my first diaper change and everything baby related. He never responded to his name. I questioned it but I was told maybe hes distracted or he will eventually come around.He hit all his milestones on time. He said mama, Dada, bye,up and would wave goodbye. He wouldn’t look when I pointed at things but I never really thought anything about it. Hes always had good eye contact and loves being around people especially kids. Around 18 months when his brother was born he stopped talking and using silverware. He will only eat certain foods and gags when I try to introduce something new. He teeth grinds all day long and can jump for hours screeching and babbling. He gives hugs and affection on his terms and time but that makes it all the more sweeter. I see improvements, he starting to come around with his 7 month old brother by kissing him on the head or bringing him toys. Im just ready to start the journey of learning how to help him the best I can.
With my oldest son, now 10, the signs weren’t as obvious. He did the arm flapping, was slow to talk (around 2 years old), and doesn’t make great eye contact (but not so little as to really get your attention). He did circles when talking excitedly and struggles to understand why some kids tease or bully him. He was diagnosed in 2nd grade, when his amazing teacher recommended it. I was in denial from the start, so was my husband and my Mom. Over the last three years though, I’ve begun to accept and support his diagnosis. He receives therapy through the school and has blossomed because of it. Now, we are having our twins examined because at almost two years old, both are nonverbal, doing circles, heavily sensory, and stare off into space with little to no eye contact. At least this time around, I feel prepared.
Many tantrums. Walked at 8 1/2 months. Food sensitivity. Could not hold him in arms like regular babies as far as.I can remember he wiggled into upright position not laying down. Threw up frequently because he would often over eat. Freakishly strong as.a.toddler. Piled or lined up toys for long periods of time. If.tbey fell or.moved.would have a meltdown and then go back to task. Walks a little hunched. Flaps.hands. he is 11 1/2 and still.wets bed. So of.course now we.can.go on and on about different behavior
Going to my son’a 18 month check receiving the MCHAT to fill out and realizing I was checking off mostly No’s… I said to my fiancé , I think we need to ask the doctor if we should worry..? I asked the doctor and he reassured me Mason looks fine I shouldn’t worry….2 came and he wasn’t really saying much, making noises instead of pointing when he wanted something.. It became so routine we knew what he wanted so we didn’t really push him to “use his words” I continued to observe him and noticed little quirks like staring for long seconds or even up to a minute, getting dressed. Finger tapping on hiis chest, not making direct eye contact then 3 came an d he still was at 2-3 word sentences so I moved/called around and got him Iin to get assessed by a specialist I had to wait almost 6 months to see the specialist finally at age 4 he was diagnosed with ASD… My Mason is wonderful, smart, unique,lovable, also very popular and getting his speech therapy 2 times a week..
My 2nd son hit 2 and a half and was still completely non-verbal. He ran around in circles a lot. Had huge “tantrums” all the time. We didn’t think much of it, especially as we knew nothing about autism. I watched that movie “Adam” one night and despite the significant differences due to age, the similarities in minor nuances blew me away. So I asked my mother-in-law what she thought (I am very close to her and value her opinion) and she agreed with my husband and I that we should take him to see someone. He was always the odd one. Never played with other kids. No eye contact. A little OCD and some other stuff that I just can’t really explain, but clearly made him different to my other children. In the weeks between making the pediatrician appointment, and actually going he “crashed” really bad and the signs were extremely noticeable by then.