Is My Child Autistic?
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I knew something was not quite right with my second child from the time she was very, very small. One of the things that was striking about her was the way she would not interact with things or people in her environment. In fact, it seemed as if she was in a world of her own most of the time when she wasn’t screaming at the top of her lungs or throwing temper tantrums about nothing in particular.
I remember taking her to our pediatrician when she was about 9 months old and asking him about my concerns. At that time, 12 years ago, kids were not routinely evaluated for autism until they were toddlers. Parents were told that a formal diagnosis could not be given until the child was 3! The best he could do was to encourage me to keep on doing what I was doing. How frustrating!
Things have changed drastically in the ensuing decade. Parents are more educated and health care professionals are more proactive in assessing disorders and assisting parents in getting the intervention that their children need. If you have concerns about your baby’s social development, you can check out this website devoted to educating parents about the signs and symptoms of autism as well as other developmental delays and disabilities.
My daughter was eventually diagnosed with autism at the age of 3 and we began to get her the intervention she needed. Now, after many years of therapy and support, she is making wonderful progress!
If you have concerns about your child, make an appointment to discuss those concerns with your child’s doctor as soon as possible. You and your child will be glad you did.
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