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Name: lecia

[ Original Post ]

my sister has a son 3mo younger than mine. he will be three in jan. 2007 every since he was born he wont make eye contact with you when you try to talk to him. he is also very hyper, always on the move. he talks but doesnt have conversations with you. he repetes things you ask him. he looks very healthy but has these little things that just dont seem normal. she is a nurse and i dont mention having him checked, she would freak. so does anyone else have a child with these symptoms and should she be concerned? she just had her 2nd child two weeks ago and she is already commenting on how this baby makes eye contact with her and her fist son never did, and still doesnt. he just looks off to the side as if he isnt taking in what you are saying. does any one else have experiance with this? and how do you tell your sister what you think knowing she would be very upset. ↓

Name: JAN | Date: Nov 9th, 2007 3:41 AM

Hi Lecia,

I was your sister about 27 yrs ago. I'm even a nurse. My sister and Mother asked me if I wasn't going to have my son checked because there seemed to be something wrong. I can't even remember what I was thinking at the time. Anyway, my son does have autism and there wasn't much therapy specifically for autism then. Things have changed and ofcourse it's best if therapy is started sooner rather than later. His behaviors sound a lot like my sons were at that age. Ofcourse that doesn't mean that your nephew has autism. My advice is to start the conversation with your sister by saying how adorable you find her son and go from there. She might be upset with you at first because no mom wants to think her child has a problem, but if there really is a problem it is better for all concerned to find out what the problem is and how to get started making things better. ↑

Name: BlakesMom | Date: Nov 13th, 2007 2:35 AM

My son was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 19 months. My concerns beginning at age 13 months were that he was withdrawn...always on his own once he began to walk (even when other kids were around), he avoided eye contact, lost speech (at 16 months - went from about 15 words to 2), began to be self abusive (at 17 months), never initiated socialization (never pointed or tried to get his wants or needs met without a tantrum), required alot of sensory input (motion, lights, pressure) to calm him. Fortunately, I had a ton of past experience working with children with autism since I had worked in an IL based Autism program for 13 years. I knew he had autism and actually had to press forward even though his general practicing pediatrician was net yet concerned. He has made a lot of progress with home based therapy....... The sooner intervention and therapy begins the better. So, I would suggest you show your sister your forum conversations....... Hopefully she will understand your concerns and get some formalized testing for your nephew. If you are wrong, WONDERFUL.......but if there are some issues that need to be addressed, it needs to be done now. Best wishes.... ↑

Name: tina_g_r | Date: Nov 28th, 2007 4:32 PM

Hey, lecia. If I were you, I would insist that she have her son tested ASAP. Don't worry about her "freaking;" she'll get over it. Your concern obviously is, and should be, for the child. I know it's rare, but my son was born with autism. He never cried like a typical baby. Never goo-goo, gah-gah-d. He didn't start looking at us until about a year and a half ago. (He's almost 5.) He does speak but not clearly and no conversation. Anyway,...get him tested; the sooner the better. ↑