Could my nephew be autistic?

Question

My husband (a former social worker with master's in psych) and I (a nursing student) have been concerned about our nephew for the past year. He just turned 2, here are the things that have worried us regarding autism:

Repetitively playing with wood chips at the playground instead of playing on equipment, banging/throwing toys instead of playing with them, only says 3 words or so and has stopped saying some words he knew before, head butts constantly to the point where he has a permanent bruise, does not respond to discipline or correction at all- repeats the behavior.

We don't want to label him but I am worried and want him to have intervention as early as possible if he needs it. His parents refused to get him vaccinated and he has not been to the doctor since 12mos. (They said they'll get around to a checkup soon- they just don't think it's a big deal since he doesn't receive shots) He is responsive/interactive with people so I think it may be mild autism...but still concerned.

Answer 1

Your nephew needs to be professionally evaluated. It could be something on the autism spectrum...perhaps Asperger's.

The loss of some vocabulary words does sound like autism, but some of the other behavior doesn't. I'm not an expert, but it sounds as if he's trying to provide some sort of self-stimulation (the head banging, for instance).

However, it could be something quite different, such as obsessive-compulsive behavior (OCD), as suggested by the repetitive behavior.

Or, it could be a combination. As your husband (and probably you) know, there can be a mix of co-existing conditions. I'm more familiar with ADHD, but you can see that co-existing with OCD, bi-polar disorder, and dozens of other conditions. It sometimes is very difficult to separate the effects of one from the effects of another.

And even the suggestion above of a possible hearing disorder is a possibility, at least as a contributing condition. So: Your nephew really needs a complete physical (including eye and hearing tests), then probably a consult with a pediatric psychologist or neurologist.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Hi,

Once you have said your opinion to the parents, you do not have the power to do more...If the child is autistic , the parents will end up evaluating him and then you can offer financial and/or emotional support...Just be there if you are needed.

Answer 3

There is a possiblity that the child could have a hearing problem.

Answer 4

try to soften the blow--show her developmental milestones for language-

50 words at 17 months

beginnning 2 word phrases at 18 months

routinely using 2 word phrases at 24 months with a large vocabulary (300+words)

suggest that she contact early intervention-she may be eligible for services (speech therapy) to help him communicate--often inability to communicate causes behavioral problems--

approach it as just a speech delay-

once he starts receiving services-hopefully the EI provider can direct her to a devlopmental pediatrician

tell her an EI therapist can teach him an alternative means on communcation such as pictures or sign language to use until he starts talking...

Answer 5

See if she will take him for a preschool screening through the local school district. It is free. My son at age two suddenly lagged behind in his speech he was right on target than it just stopped. He was banging his head all the time,not interacting with peers, etc. Very impulisive and dangerous. We got am evaluated early and started services early. They gave him the dx off PDD-NOS as he had signs or autistism but didn't really fit anywhere in the spectum and also ADHD. If you read the ADHD and Autism connection book the two dx are hard to differnate til later in life. He started special ed preschool at age 3 last year went five days a week half days. He has made huge gains and I mean huge. I really believe he will be ready to start regular preschool with some behavioral support. He is super scary smart. Almost ready to read at age 4 knows all the letters just working on putting them togther. Can add and subtract as he is obessed with numbers right now. This is autistic side of him. He is different and think different but it is fun what he thinks up or see the world. We have him on Ritalin which for us was hard but he was very impulsive and danerous. This has been cut back a lot and able to make safe choices. My husband has the same background as your husband and I am a nurse. We notice this early and got interventions school, speech therapy, OT therapy which I think has helped. My son is also tough to displine and was impossible at the age as he knew and would repeat back what you said and didn't seem to understand. Now he understands and give the right answer to. Were you suppose to do that. What were you suppose to do instead? Hope you get you sister to understand that the early she get help the more gains her son will make especially now that his brain is so recpetive and growing so fast. So what might me moderate might end up being mild or barely noticable in the future. Maybe she doesn't want to go to get a checkup because they make her feel pressure on getting shots, offer to go with her. Plus it is important that he get head measurments, height, weight, etc. So if he does get sick they will have records on what is normal for him. Good luck

Answer 6

It sounds kinda like autism.

Answer 7

He sounds like he does show traits of autism but without the opinion of an expert clinical psychologist who will also observe him it is impossible to make a diagnosis. If the parents are not too worried about his behaviours and development then there is little you can do until they are ready. I suggest you be there to support them and their son until they are able to address his problems. You cannot force them to get any help or diagnosis. Good luck.