nickdawgy

For the record, my wife and I don't believe our son is, but people we've talked to (no medical background whatsoever, so take it with a grain of salt) have said he may be showing signs.

The main reason is because he doesn't talk. He's 26 months old now, and doesn't say any words. No Dada, Mama, etc. Nothing. He babbles constantly, and he is super smart (he knows his ABC's and can point them out in order. He also recognizes animal sounds and can point to the right animals that make them), and he doesn't show any other signs of autism, so I don't know.

I actually had a friend (ex friend now, she defriended me because I disagreed with her views) tell me he doesn't talk because he's autistic from the chem trails that are poisoning us daily. Yeah.

We've talked to some people about speech therapy, but the pediatrician says it's too early for him, and we should wait til he's at least three years old. I hear all the time that boys are slower to start talking than girls are, and once he starts, he won't stop, but I'd be lying if I wasn't a little bit concerned.

Some of my friends have kids that are two months younger than him and are already talking. He's really not around other kids at all, so could this perhaps be a reason? My wife or myself are always able to stay with him while the other works, so we haven't really needed daycare or anything like that.

Thoughts?

Vibiana

Be glad he doesn't talk. If he did, he'd be telling you what he thinks of your car deals and anal fissures.

Tracer Bullet

If your pediatrician isn't concerned, I'd take that opinion a lot more seriously than I would the opinions of some random friends.

cungar

AH yes, the chem trails cause autism theory. I've heard that one from my former (we no longer talk to him) brother in law. That's when he wasn't claiming his son's autism was caused by vaccines.

There's a lot more warning signs you can look for than lack of speech. Two months late is not that big a deal. Check some of the autism sites on what are the warning signs. I know if he focuses on objects like ceiling fans etc incessantly it may be warning sign.

EdTheRipper

My son didn't crawl, walk or talk for a LONG time. Everything was delayed. He was diagnosed as having PDD or pervasive developmental delays. That was after we switched pediatricians because the first one we had wasn't concerned enough about anything. My son is 10 now and has also been diagnosed as having Asperger's. The PDD still affects him to the point where he doesn't identify as his age. He might be 10, but mentally, he's still quite a bit off from that age.

Bottom line is if you're that concerned, look into an early intervention program in your area. They helped my son out big time when he was almost 3. You could also change pediatricians to get another opinion.

Krayzie

All kids are different. Some kids just take longer to do certain things than others. A friends kid didn't talk for a pretty long time but he won't shut up now.

Hell my daughter took forever to learn to walk. She never crawled. She just knee walked everywhere... She was pretty damn fast and I still don't get how she did that on hardwood floors. I tried it once and it hurt like hell.

Dr Mabuse

Too smart for their age and late talking is enough of a clue to pay attention. That definitely fits autism spectrum, but isn't a slam dunk indicator, as people develop in different ways in spite of the guidelines that try to paint it otherwise..

There's no hurry, as it's either an 'is' or 'isn't' and it will be known eventually. You can't really start trying to help until after 4 years anyway.

Trust your instincts, pay attention, and talk to the doctor.

DVD Polizei

I'd wait about 6 months to a year. Your child's social interactions with other kids will be an indicator (but not exclusive) and are really important for development. I'd even suggest a daycare situation maybe once a week where you are there, watching your son interact with others. If not a daycare situation that is convenient then pursue other social situations where you and your wife could be there, watching him interact with other kids.

Jacoby Ellsbury

26 months and no talking is a bit concerning. We had our son meet with a speech specialist and there was nothing to be concerned about. Each person is different. My son excels in some things and is behind in others. I'd rather catch something sooner than later, so I don't think waiting any longer is a good idea. 2nd opinions and not otter ones would be a good start.

Kmical

Our son showed significant speech delays as well. At 18 months, he was tested and scored at the 6-month level for speech development. He also had difficulty with some gross motor skills.

We started rounds of speech therapy and physical therapy. At one time, they indicated that it might not be a bad idea to have him learn sign language - if his speech development did not accellerate as hoped.

My wife and I wondered if he would ever talk.

Now - we can't get him (now 9 years old) to shut up Speech therapy and more socialization with children his age provided the "kick" that got him going.

Regarding waiting until 3 for speech therapy: if it's not autism, and simply a speech delay ... the longer you wait to treat it, the harder the climb back to "average" for their age.

One doctor did diagnose our son with autism. He (our son, not the doctor) exhibited several autism traits, so we had the doctor examine him. The doctor concluded that he had "high functioning" autism. The basis for this diagnosis: our son liked to line up his small cars and trucks, didn't pay close attention to the doctor when the doctor was speaking to him, and didn't follow a plastic lobster (held up and moved around by the doctor) with his eyes. The doctor's explanation was "all normally functioning children watch the lobster."

We took him (again, our son rather than the doctor) to a behavioral specialist. The new doctor watched as his assistants engaged our son in some activties designed to test his behavior and interaction with others. The part I remember most is the doctor watching our son through the one-way glass, making notes, and voicing comments like, "wonderful", "beautiful", and "perfect". After about 15 minutes of observation, the specialist announced, "Your son is not autistic. He simply appears to have a speech delay." His recommendation was speech therapy and more time spent with children his age. That seemed to work well. By age 6, his speech development had caught up with others his age.

If you tell him he's not normal, prepare to get an arrow in the ass

tommyp007

Our child Dana was diagnosed autistic at 2. She's now 5, and with some speech therapy and getting her into a great pre-school where she got lots of peer interaction, she's now pretty normal acting. (I hate using "normal" but that's the best way I know how to put it)

DaveNinja

some kids are late talkers; some are early talkers. Hopefully it wont set him back when he's 16.2 years old and only talking like a 16.0 year old.

side note: i find it funny when people brag about how early their kid learned to walk or started potty training. Does it really matter in the long run. "Sorry, Mr Bobson, we have to give the job to Mr Timson since he does have an extra ten months of walking experience."

Mabuse

Nick, I recall that you and I had our children within a few days of one another back in March 2011. I had my second daughter and you your first son. In answer to your first question, "Any Parents Ever Wonder If Their Children Are Autistic?" the simple answer is "Yes...we all do." My daughter is walking and talking and singing a lot, but any time their behavior seems "odd" I start wondering. It's just the nature of society today. The word "autism" is on the tip of everyone's tongue. When she freaks out and cries for no reason or whenever she trips because she still has not learned to watch where she is going or when she puts a bucket over her head and yells “HELLO” for five minutes I think, "Maybe this kid is autistic."

Being able to identify every letter yet not talk is a bit surprising. If your doctor isn't worried then I wouldn't worry, but keep an eye on it. If he doesn't start talking by three you should see more doctors.

I can't emphasis enough how much social interaction with peers (other babies) and adults is for kids. Both our kids went to a small day care in a woman’s home 5 days a week. Being around 3 and 4 year olds when you are 1 and 2 really drives you to communicate. I have no doubt it lead to my daughters talking sooner. Both were talking by 18 months. And they can learn things I would have never imagined. The woman at the day care is very experienced and among both of my daughters' first words was "thank you" and "please" and when I sneezed they'd say "bless you daddy". I had no idea kids could do that. Get them around other kids. Play dates, at the park, day care, etc. And get them interacting with older kids. My 5 year old daughter really benefits from playing with the 7, 8, and 9 year olds in the neighborhood. She looks up to them and wants to be like them. Also, you and your wife need to talk to them. Talk to them like they understand. Have conversations with them. Don’t think that just because he can’t talk back he doesn’t want to hear talk.

orangecrush

This is true. But, you should totally take the advice of strangers on the internet more seriously than your pediatrician.

At that age, I wouldn't sweat most things. Different kids develop at different speeds. I will say that we thought our oldest son had Aspergers. Turns out he has something else that is on the spectrum. A light sprinkling of autism, I like to call it.

orangecrush

I think neurotypical is the prefered nomenclature.

Nausicaa

I noticed your son's shirt said Pewaukee, and then saw your location. I grew up in Delafield, just wanted to say 'hi'! Looks like that might be Buck Rub archery?

kvrdave

Never wondered about my kids. But one of them is really weird. REALLY WEIRD!!! Everyone likes him because "he is a kick in the pants to be around," but he is weird. Bizarre.

zyzzle

I think Autism spectrum disorders are overdiagnosed in today's sensitive world. Your child will be just fine. Emphasize social interaction and peer relationships. The advice about daycare once a week should be heeded.

I didn't talk until nearly three, and back then Autism wasn't even suggested. Turned out just fine once my folks got me into more social situations. What a difference 30 years of medical-prodding / agenda / sensitivity makes, huh? Today, Autusim is suggested by well-meaning "friends", but these are not the types of people with whom you should be associating. Tell them to mind their own business, and carry on with raising your child.

Jon2

From what you've posted, I wouldn't sweat it. As the father of an autistic son and knowing others from our involvement in the autism community, one or two "symptoms" doesn't make a diagnosis. Every child (with or without autism) develops differently.

RichC2

Something similar happened to a friend of mine, their kid wound up having near complete hearing loss. Thanks to a sticky situation, one of his parents (they're divorced) was in heavy denial and delayed treatment.

Josh-da-man

He might just be the Marilyn Munster of your family.

moviefan2k4

My mother once thought I might have Asperger's Syndrome, but my MRI tests came back normal.

Cusm

"And there's the pitch"...

RandyC

I do have some experience in this area, and continue to have more experiences, first with my now 24 tear old son, and with my 8 year old step son. Both on the spectrum.

There are a number of traits that are technically considered to be on the spectrum and simply not talking is not enough to make a diagnosis. A person can be autistic and chatty and autistic and totally socially withdrawn. Theer are other things to look for.

We were also told to wait on speech therapy, which we did at age 4 with my first son. My second son is now in vision therapy and has IEPs to help him in school, plus he is in a special school.

I know some might dismiss these kinds of things are modern sensitivity, but I can say that for me, if we had better diagnosis and tools when son 1 was younger, things may have turned out better for him. Forcing socialization and standard schooling on someone that is not going to adapt was eventually a recipe for failure. By the way, for him, his IQ was tested near 150 and he would not read at 2nd grade, and never knew his alphabet in elementary school. And now at age 24, he does not know what month it is. But he is bright and artistic and shines in other areas.

Son 2.... hates curves and unknowns. Has to know what time it is to the minute. Has to eat the same things. Has to have things in lines and patterns. Does not really like other kids. Socially inept. But has some strong points that we seek to enable to develop.

I don't know if any of this helps. My area of study years ago was Highly Gifted but Learning Disabled children with much studying also on the impact of extremely high IQs on children.

sherm42

It could be hearing loss. I was born with hearing loss. Both of my kids have hearing loss.

Having a hearing loss delays development of speech. If a child cannot hear certain frequencies, he or she cannot even hear the words they are supposed to learn.

It can be hard to diagnose a baby with hearing loss, so even if you had a screening when the baby was born, it can be missed.