If your child is autistic

What were some early signs?

I really think my nephew may be. He is 11 months. He screams whenever anyone looks at him. He violently kicks if someone tries to hold him. He does not give gestures. He JUST started holding his own bottle. He says "da da da da da" but that's it. If he is left to play, he just sits and eventually cries. He is starting to stand and did crawl about 10 months, which my friends autistic child also did. I've always felt something was a little off, but it seems to be more apparent to me than others... maybe because I've been around so many children and one that was autistic. He has always cried if ANYONE else held him except a few specific people since about 3 months old. And it has never changed as it should with development. Or is this just typical behavior from one baby to the next?

For the most part it sounds pretty normal. What does his dr say

It sounds like it could be a delay. Usually symptoms of autism don't appear until at least 24 months, and it will typically involve regression in a child who was previously meeting developmental milestones.

My son has autism, he forgot what words he did learn, and started screaming at any or everything! If you looked at him or touched him, he'd scream! Very independent personality, he could open child proof pill bottles and open child proof locks, but he couldn't talk, he could only say "stop". If your family feels something is off, have him evaluated, it's the only sure fire way to know; I had a feeling something was off at about 15 months.

Quoting Just_a_Stranger:" My son has autism, he forgot what words he did learn, and started screaming at any or everything! If ... [snip!] ... is off, have him evaluated, it's the only sure fire way to know; I had a feeling something was off at about 15 months."

Smurf..... that's how I feel about my daughter...

This baby sounds like they could have some massive sensory issues, but as far as developement it doesn't sound like they are waaaay behind at 11 months. My kid developed perfectly normal (actually a wee bit better than I expected) and then stopped saying new words and then completely stopped talking around 12-13 months. I've been around a lot of children as well, but I honestly didn't truly expect until he was 15 months, and then I researched like crazy all of his 'symptoms' before I evaluated-he was diagnosed at 2 years.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Is that still my name?:</b>" Smurf..... that's how I feel about my daughter..."</blockquote>

How old is your daughter? Like the other mamas are saying, it could be some sensory issues, or it can be a delay ... Or possibly autism? By the time I was ready to admit it, his pedi was telling me he should be talking and that something is wrong, and she said all this during a visit for shots! She tried to get him to talk, I told her he couldn't, she made a referral to have him evaluated.

By 11 months, Zane had only said mama. He hit all his gross motor milestones on time or early, but was/is slow with talking. He didn't do a lot of the social milestones babies do, like clapping, waving to people, blowing kisses. He didn't even give me a kiss until he was probably 2. Everything had to be certain ways. He wouldn't let me read to him, still doesn't like for me to control book reading (he has to turn pages). By 18 months, we had him in speech b/c his speech was behind, almost but not quite very delayed. He now is very delayed in speech. He has come a long way in many areas, but wouldn't give good eye contact around a year and wouldn't react to his name being called. We actually thought he had bad hearing loss or was deaf until his hearing tests came back good. As he gets older, he's developing more quirks and conquering some old ones. It's always a challenge. Something new every day. Early intervention is key. Zane starts school a week from tomorrow, so we are very optimistic about that!

Quoting Amanda&ZamJam:" By 11 months, Zane had only said mama. He hit all his gross motor milestones on time or early, but was/is ... [snip!] ... new every day. Early intervention is key. Zane starts school a week from tomorrow, so we are very optimistic about that!"

Is Zane autistic? I never knew he had speech problems. My MAIN concern for his age is his fear and aggression towards people touching, holding, or even looking at him. My brother had speech therapy growing up and also exhibited, and sitll does, odd social behaviors. He said (and he's 32 now) that he wonders if he is autistic however he was diagnosed with ADHD and mood disorders, neither of which I think are correct. Either way, he as grown a lot as a person since getting help. You are very, very correct in saying early treatment is the key... autistic or not.

Quoting Just_a_Stranger:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Is that still my name?:</b>" Smurf..... that's how I feel about ... [snip!] ... this during a visit for shots! She tried to get him to talk, I told her he couldn't, she made a referral to have him evaluated."

She is 15. She hardly ever listens to directions. She really never talks at all anymore. The most I can get her to say is an occasional "buh-bye" AFTER we've been gone. I think for her it is just the fact that as they grow, they have to relearn.... only time can tell. He worries me because he is FRANTIC about other people. Otherwise, he's just an average boy who takes a tinsy bit longer at learning a few things. But all kids are different.

Quoting Is that still my name?:" Is Zane autistic? I never knew he had speech problems. My MAIN concern for his age is his fear and ... [snip!] ... grown a lot as a person since getting help. You are very, very correct in saying early treatment is the key... autistic or not."

Yes he was diagnosed this summer with PDD-NOS (a form of autism). Zane's main problem with other is he doesn't understand emotions well and doesn't understand he hurts people. Also his lack of speech makes him hit more due to lack of communication (ex: kid has a toy he wants, he can't say, can I have that, so he hits him for it.) But he doesn't get aggressive just from someone looking at him. Honestly, that sounds like it could be something else. I know every child with autism is different, but I haven't heard of that being a symptom. Lots of autistic children don't make good eye contact, but I don't know about looking at them bothering them.
I personally wouldn't worry about Lilah at this point. LOTS of babies at this age stop saying as much b/c they are mastering other skills. And Jace never follows directions and throws some lovely fits. I think some of our babies just like to hit those terrible 2's early. We can just call them advanced ;)

Quoting Amanda&ZamJam:" Yes he was diagnosed this summer with PDD-NOS (a form of autism). Zane's main problem with other is ... [snip!] ... some lovely fits. I think some of our babies just like to hit those terrible 2's early. We can just call them advanced ;)"

Hee hee, yeah I figured so much was Lilah's case. She can be a mean girl sometimes... I baby sat my nephew today and after about 45 minutes of sheer screaming, I thought for sure the neighbors were going to call CPS, he finally calmed down. I rocked him for about 30 minutes and then set him down and he was fine after that. Hopefully I won't have to re-do it all next time I watch him. lol That's the first time he's ever STOPPED crying for me. lol And it's great Zane got an early diagnosis. I'm sure he'll be right on top once he is able to communicate better.