Does my child have an Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Parents often ask me if their child may have a Developmental Disorder or an Autism Spectrum Disorder. There are many signs and symptoms but sometimes they can be confusing. Many medical doctors ignore these signs or do not recognize them. Because early intervention is key to improving level of functioning, you shouldn’t ignore the signs.

Take the following survey to see if your child may have an Autism Spectrum Disorder or Sensory Integration Disorder:

1. Does your child avoid eye contact?
2. Is your child delayed in language?
3. Does your child often ask “what?” or appear to not understand you?
4. Is your child very independent, not asking for your attention when engaged in an activity?
5. Does your child seem “fine” playing alone for long stretches of time?
6. Does your child prefer to play by himself?
7. Is your child delayed in rolling over, crawling or walking?
8. Did your child walk too early or avoid crawling?
9. Is your child a very picky eater, or put too much food in his mouth at once?
10. Does your child avoid loud places or cover his ears when it is loud?
11. Does your child stay close to you and avoid entering a birthday party especially when there is a lot of chaos?
12. Does your child repeat phrases from the television or play with the same toy over and over again?
13. Does your child repeat sounds (vocal noises) often?
14. Does your child “quote” or remember verbatim things that he has heard?
15. Is your child fascinated with small objects, such as tags, wheels (of the stroller or of little cars)?
16. Does your child repeat movements often (such as opening and closing the door or movements with fingers)?
17. Does your child have poor eye contact?
18. Does your child have a hard time understanding the meaning of jokes or sarcasm?
19. Does your child sometimes become overly sensitive on the playground?
20. Does he perceive others as threatening or hit others easily?
21. Does he stand around or hang around the periphery of the playground rather than engaging others?
22. Does your child over 3 years old interact WITH peers when playing (rather than play beside them)?
23. Does your child have a hard time coping when there is a change in routine or plan?
24. Does your child have excessive tantrums that appear out of proportion to the situation?

If you answered yes to many of these questions, your child may have an Autism Spectrum Disorder or other Developmental disorder. Again, because early intervention is crucial, please get an evaluation to determine if there are delays and how severe the delays are.