2 yrs Son with Shades of Autism

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Hi,

I am father of Son who seems be in Autism spectrum, DOB 3/Sept/2008. He

currently undergoing ABA based therapy (5 hrs per wk) with ABA certified

therapist.

Since my son is only 2yrs 3 months old, we need your advice on which diagnosis

tool is recommended at this age.

In the Autism related internet sites multiple tools are mention for diagnosis:

1.Diagnostic Assessment i.e. ADI-R , DSM-4, ADOS, CARS, SCQ, SRS

2.Functional Assessment

3.Occupational & Sensory Assessment

Could you pls suggest which diagnosis tool will give clear results on severity

of his disorder & what level he is on the Autism spectrum?

The idea is to understand what additional therapies we should do with him beside

ABA (VBA, Speech therapy, dietary modification, Communication therapy,

Medications).

Can you pls also guide us what is normally done in this diagnosis & what will be

duration of this diagnosis. The internet sites on Autism propose diagnosis done

by team which comprises of:

1.Development Paediatrician

2.Child neurologist or psychologist

3.Psychologist (Clinical)

4.Child Psychiatrist

5.Speech Therapist

Major Miles stones

- Male, Born 3/Sept/2008

- Pregnancy at 34 wks 3 days, Condition IUGR + Pre-Eclampsia

- Good Motor skills, Good hand eye coordination

- Sitting (Independently) by 7 months

- Climbing stairs by 9 months

- Walking (independently) by 11 months

- Babbling with Self by 14 months

- Learned to do Clapping & Bye-bye with hands 16 months

- Started with ABA based therapy approx. 5 hrs/wk since mid Oct/10

- Started with Playgroup school approx. 10-15 hrs/wk since Nov/10

General Observations

1.Lack of Verbal/non-Verbal Communication

2.Does not respond when Called by his name, it seems he don't understand his

name

3. He do clapping when asked to do so

4.No specific restriction or choice on food

5.Good sleep cycle

6.Good motor skills likes to play on swings, Slides in Garden

7.Like to be tickled lot, enjoy tickling on whole body & small bitting

8.Less attention span while playing; switch between different rides

9.Obsessed with watching Advertisements, Songs, specific cartoons (Teletubbies

...) on TV

10.Obsessed with Mirror (like to watch him self in Mirror)

11.Self Babbles & sometimes lot of babbling before bedtime

12.He likes to watch Patterns mostly circular i.e. likes to watch Care Wheels or

Round Toys

13.Like to play with his hands (Some times)

14.Now stop waving for bye-bye & AAJA (Come here)

Observation after start of ABA Therapy mid Oct/2010

1.Main changes are No shouting & improved eye contact

2.Overall increase in MANDING i.e. 40-50 per hr during therapy session

3.Picked up few signs for Chips, Candy, Water, TV. Still scrolling between

signs.

4.Often mix up with signs or wrong signs or always use chips sign for asking

anything

5.Manages to finish 9 pieces Shape sorter & other small puzzles