Is she Autistic?

[jaimie]

Im really worried about my Dd now...Yesterday i was telling my Sil how dd likes to line objects up and place them very carefully in and out of things such as boxes and bags..she also has started placing bangles on her ankles over and over again. She also bites her had out of frustration, and she bites myself and other children. So my Sil said I dont wont to freak you out but...these can be signs of Autism. Aside form the biting she is cuddly and she is walking really well (she is 14mnths) she doesnt say any proper words besides daddy but i wouldnt really expect much more at this age! She can do lots of little things that i have taught her (she bounces her horseys when i say clip clop!) so its not as though she isnt reaching milestones but of course now im really concerned..Does anyone know anything about Autism and should I be worried?
Thanks
jaimie

[LittleBoysRock]

Hi Jaimie,

I think your DD sounds like a normal child of that age. My DS is 12.5 months and he does similar things. :yes:

If your really worried, take her to see your CHN or GP for reassurance. :thumbsup:

I wish I could help but I dont know a great deal about autism.

Keep us posted, hope everything works out to be ok. :hugs:

[babylover111]

In my experience 14 months is usually the age they really get into toys especially blocks and those balls where you fit the shapes through so it may just be that, it seems like shes an average 14 month old but i dont know too much about autisum so if its bothering you it wouldnt hurt to get it checked out. Goodluck x

[belinda]

I have a 16 month old and he does similar things to your daughter but i really dont think it is autisum. I think it is what normal kids do i thought not that i know anything about autisum either.

[jessgray]

my ds is 15 months old and he is very padantic (sp?) about how he lines things up lol he also bites and head butts. but i have never really worried about it as he seems to be be developing normally apart from his hearing.

[Shebb]

Other than the biting thang, my daughter does the same kinds of things, and she is a similar age. Your daughter sounds pretty "normal"... :)

As others have already mentioned, if you feel it would reassure you, go and speak to your Maternal & Child Health Nurse about it.

[Jem]

I wouldnt be too concerned just yet...they say autism is picked up between 2 & 3, i will be getting ds1 assessed for autism, as he clearly shows all the signs.

i noticed changes in him after he turned 2, and now i have his daycarers expressing there concern

[jaimie]

Thanks for the reassurance ladies. Im sure she is fie but its so hard not to freak out and then i had to go and google it as well!:banghead:
JEM- What signs is your son displaying?

[FourAngelKisses]

She sounds perfectly normal to me. All 3 of my kids did the lining things up thing and putting things in and out of boxes. I only had one biter though (my 3rd child) and he started biting at around 14-15mths.

[Lunar]

I really doubt that it is autism. She sounds like she is doing everything any other child is doing at that age. It is quite normal to bite when frustrated, this is very common in children under 2 as they do not have the communication skills to expressd themselves so they resort to biting.

Autism is not usually picked up before the age of 2 that is correct.

I think you should just hold out and wait another year, I'm sure all those things will sort themselves out adn she will be fine.

To be honest, everyone and I mean EVERYONE has an autistic trait or 2 on more. It is only when it start to effect development and how one lives that it comes of concern.

I have an autistic trait, I count my steps when I walk. So if I walk to the bathroom, I count my steps and then I count them on the way back to make sure it's the same... a little quirky but, still an autistic trait.
I have contact with children on a daily basis with autism and various disibilities, what you have described is all part of the 'normal' learning process. I have also studied child development and work in child care. Please be reassured that this is all normal at this stage.

[Lunar]

I really doubt that it is autism. She sounds like she is doing everything any other child is doing at that age. It is quite normal to bite when frustrated, this is very common in children under 2 as they do not have the communication skills to expressd themselves so they resort to biting.

Autism is not usually picked up before the age of 2 that is correct.

I think you should just hold out and wait another year, I'm sure all those things will sort themselves out adn she will be fine.

To be honest, everyone and I mean EVERYONE has an autistic trait or 2 on more. It is only when it start to effect development and how one lives that it comes of concern.

I have an autistic trait, I count my steps when I walk. So if I walk to the bathroom, I count my steps and then I count them on the way back to make sure it's the same... a little quirky but, still an autistic trait.
I have contact with children on a daily basis with autism and various disibilities, what you have described is all part of the 'normal' learning process. I have also studied child development and work in child care. Please be reassured that this is all normal at this stage.

[jessgray]

http://www.autismvictoria.org.au/diagnosis/characteristics_checklist.php

[jessgray]

http://www.autismvictoria.org.au/diagnosis/characteristics_checklist.php
for autism signs

[melbryan]

My mother in law says this when I say my son lines things up too. Unless they are a medical professional I wouldn't listen to them. It has made you worry and you shouldn't.

[~Emmylou~]

Sounds totally normal to me, my DD does/has done all of those things.

In terms of being signs of autism - not until they are older and should have outgrown those behaviours.
It's perfectly normal for a 14 mth old to line things up, put in and out of containers repeatedly etc. But not so normal for say a 4 year old kwim?
Don't worry about it :)

[trina73]

my ds is showing signs of autism and he is nearly 3. it sounds like your dd is being a normal toddler and if you see signs of lack of social and communication skills as she gets older go to your gp for a refferal to a specialist.we have been on the waiting list to be assessed now for 14 months and its frustrating, but my son is getting help from a speech therapist and at his day care too.but i love him no matter what and he puts a smile to my face when i;m down :)

[AngelHope]

Hi Jazzysmum :wave:

I mentioned my son's 'obsession' with lining things up neatly and in order of size/colour to his pedeatrician at one of his appointments... He said it can be a mild form of OCD but that unless it becomes a disturbance to their daily routine, not to worry about it. Ie. If they have to stop eating their lunch to go and line up the salt and pepper shaker.

It can also apparently be a sign of high intelligence.

He never once mentioned that it could be a mild form of autism, and as far as I have read, signs of autism are far more involved/comprehensive.

The biting thing, I wouldn't worry about.. sounds like normal toddler frustration.

:hugs:

[MonkeyMum05]

All sounds pretty normal to me... I don't think there is any need to be concerned.
Particuarly if she is affectionate...
My son is the same age... he bites himself and me... he also gets very involved and concentrates on menial tasks, but I think thats just part of the learning process.

[QTB]

Hey ya, i have done ALOT of research on Autism, i have worked with thousands of Autistic children and adults, and have numerous qualifications in this area.... my opinion is that your DD sounds like a normal toddler. yes those things are signs of autism, but that doesnt mean anything unless she has communication difficulties, doest like interacting with people (incl parents) wont make eye contact etc.... so as long as she is still communicating and interacting, i wouldnt worry in the least. Drs wont diagnose autism instantly, it takes months and sometimes years to diagnose because it is such a complex disorder. so my adivice would be dont worry... and if you are still worried in a year or 2 then take her to a GOOD paed dr. hope that helps a bit :)

[angcaltam]

My DS2 was doing all that at the age of 2 years and we had him check out and nope he hasn't got it, he is perfectly normal.

Try not to stress and please keep us informed.