Autism

Does my child have autism or PDD?

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Autism Facts, "a doctor should definitely and immediately evaluate a child for autism if he or she:

• Does not babble or coo by 12 months of age
• Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp, etc.) by 12 months of age
• Does not say single words by 16 months of age
• Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own (rather than just repeating what someone says to him or her) by 24 months of age
• Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age.

Are there other possible symptoms of autism and PDD?

There are a number of things that parents, teachers, and others who care for children can look for to determine if a child needs to be evaluated for autism. The following “red flags” could be signs that a doctor should evaluate a child for autism or a related communication disorder.

• The child does not respond to his/her name.
• The child cannot explain what he/she wants.
• Language skills or speech are delayed.
• The child doesn’t follow directions.
• At times, the child seems to be deaf.
• The child seems to hear sometimes, but not others.
• The child doesn’t point or wave bye-bye.
• The child used to say a few words or babble, but now he/she doesn’t.
• The child throws intense or violent tantrums.
• The child has odd movement patterns.
• The child is hyperactive, uncooperative, or oppositional.
• The child doesn’t know how to play with toys.
• The child doesn’t smile when smiled at.
• The child has poor eye contact.
• The child gets “stuck” on things over and over and can’t move on to other things.
• The child seems to prefer to play alone.
• The child gets things for him/herself only.
• The child is very independent for his/her age.
• The child does things “early” compared to other children.
• The child seems to be in his/her “own world.”
• The child seems to tune people out.
• The child is not interested in other children.
• The child walks on his/her toes.
• The child shows unusual attachments to toys, objects, or schedules (i.e., always holding a string or having to put socks on before pants).
• Child spends a lot of time lining things up or putting things in a certain order.

Resources

Autism Society of America. Search the ASA web site for information on Applied Behavior Analysis, the diagnostic criteria for autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders, and news. To find a chapter in your area and receive information in the mail, call 1-800-3AUTISM. (Click on this link to see a chapter list). ASA chapters are a good place to meet other parents in your community. To find an autism organization outside the U.S., go to the National Autistic Society.

Need help with education or therapy funding, insurance, respite care or other services? Find your state's Developmental Disabilities Agency on this STATE LIST and call to see if you qualify for assistance.

Looking for tutors, advocacy groups, special education lawyers or psychologists in your state? Visit www.yellowpagesforkids.com. You should check the credentials of anyone you hire.

Families for Early Autism Treatment, a non-profit organization based in California, provides education, advocacy and support through chapters in various states. Provides email newsletters and messages groups that are useful regardless of where you live.

Research and Advocacy (return to top)

IAN, the Interactive Autism Network, is an online project linking researchers and families. Parents can fill out online questionnaires and read preliminary research data. IAN is supported by Kennedy Krieger Institute and Autism Speaks.

Assistive Technology, Picture Symbols and Home Teaching Materials (return to top)

Do2Learn has free resources, such as 300 picture cards that can be printed, math grids, coloring pages, art projects, and images to help with the tracing of shapes and letters. For teachers and parents of children with autism and other learning disabilities.