What's wrong with my toddler? Autism, Sensory Integration Disorder, or somet!


Question: What's wrong with my toddler!? Autism, Sensory Integration Disorder, or something else!?
I am fully aware of the fact that the people on here are not doctors and are not qualified to diagnose!. My son (just turned 3) will have an appointment with a developmental pediatrician in September for a thorough examination, but in the meantime I was wondering if anyone else has experienced the following symptoms and what they may mean:
- severe speech delay (some sounds, and single syllable words)
- doesn't like to socialize with other kids (slightly better with adults)
- people laughing around him really bothers him
- likes smelling his food before eating it, also smells other things
- loves water (flushing toilets, playing in the tub or pool), but if he doesn't get to flush the toilet he gets over it without much of a problem
- no spinning, no rocking, no hand flapping, no toe walking (no "typical" autistic behaviors)!. Tons of eye contact and smiles/giggles!.
- communicates with signs and knows colors, numbers to 10, and starting to learn letters!.
Any ideas would be appreciatedWww@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
we went through this with our daughter who is 2!.9 months old and Sensory Integration Disorder sounds like your best bet!.!.!.now this is tied into autism but there are dif spectrums so definitely persue your gut feeling!.!.!.it sounds like he is on the low end like my daughter & if hes doing quirky or odd things and only parallel play id be worried too since not every child displays the classic symptoms, remember its a brain disorder so not everyones alike!.!.!.heres symptoms we experience
-speech delay, with lack of consonant sounds and single words
-doesnt know how to communicate what wants and feelings are so gets discouraged and throws tantrums
-learns words better visually, through sign, and verbally!.!.!.we use a picture book or object to help her communicate
-doesnt like hand over hand,used to show sign or wet or dirty hands
-doesnt like being touched on face or lips, esp brushing teeth!.!.!.we use toweling method
-she doesnt like slimey wet foods bc of texture
-she loves trickling water, like sprinklers, fountains any substance that falls
-she constantly dumps objects out of a bin to watch fall and hear noice!.!.!.she needs that extra sensory imput
-she has eye contact, giggles but sometimes doesnt want to be held or messed with
-loves to draw pictures, puzzles, abc's, numbers, stacking, and flickering lights on her toys, the fish tank with bubbles and lights, and watching tv, music!.!.!.sings dora parts and hums along!.
she makes throaty noises!.!.!.and ahh sounds some, and says her words out of context since she doesnt understand how to use them to communicate
constantly making noises
doesnt like her schedule changed
likes other adults and wants to hug them, gets jelous when other children are present
you may try contacting an occupational therapist and speech therapist, your doctor can refer you before your dev spec appt!.!.!.and contact early steps and they can get him into special education or even contact the school yourself !.!.!.we did it
try deep pressure and joint therapy, this helps calm my daughter and gives her that sensory imput she needs
anyways I can give you more on the list but this long enough, just know again there is no typical autistic behaviors//best of luck, kimWww@Answer-Health@Com

My son has a sensory integration disorder, and from what I've learned from my son's occupational therapy it may be that your son might have some sensory issues!. If it continues I would see if you could find a place that specifically deals with occcupational therapy for children and have them evaluate him!. Learning that my sons odd little quirks and tempers were not always just him misbehaving, and there are ways to make it better!. The Out of Sync book by Carol Kranowitz is a great book!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Autism!? Really couldnt fully say!.
Maybe he could be on the autistc spectrum,its such a hard thing to diagnose and can take awhile!.
Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG!.!.!.!. SOUNDS NORMAL TO ME, MY KID DOES THE SAMEWww@Answer-Health@Com

I am in no way an expert physician on the subject, but I am a mother who has been through many different tests in search of an answer who can empathize with you!.

I was wondering if when you had your son's "hearing" tested it was for just hearing or for auditory processing!? Considering your sons age, I know that a full aditory assesment can't really be done by an audiologist!. I am not sure what they can test for a 3 year old, but your first 3 symptoms sound similar to something we went through!. 2 audiologist told us we had red flags for auditory processing but not to do anything!. I didn't feel comfortable with the recommendation and sought an eval from a Speech and Language Pathologist specializing in Tomaitis!. (This is considered controversial by some, but it's working for us!.!.!.you'll have to decide what level of "scientific data" you're comfortable with)!. Here, we were told there is an auditory processing issue!. Subsequent qEEG brain mapping confirmed abnormal nerological firing in the auditory region (in addition to the visual region confirming the therapy we were getting from a behavioral optomotrist!.) My son doesn't fit on the spectrum but had sypmtoms very similar to those you listed before therapy with an OT specializing in sensory integration (the test perform is the SIPT for age 5+!.!.!.sorry, but I don't know the name for 3-5 testing), visual training from an behavioral optomotrist, and auditory training from a Tomatis practicioner!.

Digetive enzymes (Digest Gold & ViraStop), probiotics (Dr!. Ohirra), and omegas (Coromega) are all supplements that helped him in some way!.

Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com

Doesn't sound like autism or Asperger's (mild form of autism)!. To me, just from the observations you have noted, it sounds like he might have a hearing problem, because of the speech delay and the fact that you say he communicates with signs and seems to gravitate toward using his other senses - smell, touch - to gain experiences!. Other than that, he sounds like a pretty normal toddler!. Until he has his appointment in September, I would suggest not doing anything differently - let him learn and develop at his own pace, while supporting and challenging him when appropriate!. I hate to say it, but "developmental disorders" such as autism and SID seem to be going the way that ADHD did a few years back - becoming much too commonly used and overdiagnosed!. All kids are different, and just because one child develops differently, it doesn't mean s/he has a disorder!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

I agree with the possible sensory integration disorder and also glad you tested his hearing and checked his tongue!.
Here are some supplements that can help with your child's symptoms!. They greatly improved my son's autistic behavior!.

Sound sensitivity can be due to magnesium defiency!. My autistic son used to scream with loud sounds like the vaccum cleaner and this has greatly diminished after I treated his mineral deficiency!.
Omega fatty acids are neccessary for proper brain and nerve function!. I would start giving cod liver oil ( chewables are made for children) or Coromega ( great tasting orange taste)!.
This is why it was added in recent years to baby formula and food!.
Acetyl l carnitine will support the mitochondria to help with speech!.
DMG- dimethlyglycine helps to support methylation in the body and caused my son to start babbling again!.
Glutathione ( use lipoceutical from Autism Coach) will detox the body of heavy metals and this caused my autistic son to speak again !. Low glutathione levels damage the mitochondria in the brain and heavy metals cause neurological problems!.
I also used a more complete vitamin supplement by Kirkman's ( found on-line)!. These are specifically designed for children and are free from most allergens ( use hypoallergenic line)
Co enzyme Q10 will reduce oxidative stress ( found in high levels in developmentally delay children)!.
Probiotics and digestive enzymes will allow proper digestion
of food and help the body absorb nutrients!.
You may also find that removing artifical dyes and colors and some foods will improve his health!. Soy caused severe tantrums in my son!. Removing gluten/casein made my son's stool turn from yellow to brown!. I had to add taurine ( amino acids) to increase the bile and this keeps his stool brown!.
Most people are skeptical when I tell them that nutritional supplementations can greatly improve development problems!.
Ask your doctor to order a complete checkup of your child covering all areas- gastrointestinal- food allergy, secretory IgA
immunology ( check vaccine titers and IgG, IgE, IgA )
Some parents found out that the vaccines DID NOT produce immunity and found that the source was a malfunctioning immune system!.
Thyroid function and neurotransmitters!.
Order a stool culture and ova and parasite to check for infections!. Yeast overgrowth can occur if your child had multiple round of antibiotics!.
I also ask about the possibility of metabolic disorders!.
These are some of tests done on my son to find out why he was delayed!.
Speech therapy ( Prompt is good for children who cannot pronounce sounds correctly) Prompt therapy helped my nonverbal son regain clear speech and now he can even read!. This is after 1 year of Prompt speech therapy!. Its very important to followup the speech therapy at home for maximum results!. I keep talking and point out things to him and engage him constantly!. My speech therapist recomended exercise before coming for therapy to stimulate the brain!.
I also bought a chalkboard and taught him how to write letters and his name!.
These are my personal experiences!. Nutrition plays a vital role in helping children focus causing the therapy sessions to become more productive!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Hello,

First, if possible, I would try to get your son in for an evaluation before September, as it does sound like some extra speech and/or occupational therapy would probably be beneficial, whether he receives a diagnosis of autism or not!. And definitely the earlier the better!.

After you receive what will hopefully be a thorough evaluation, you can begin putting a team of people together who can get to know your son and give you some ideas about things you can do to encourage his development!.

I was really glad to hear that although his speech is limited, he is able to communicate through signs!. That is excellent, because if your child can communicate with you, it cuts out a major frustration that many families experience in not being able to communicate with their child!. The speech therapist will be able to put a program together for you to encourage more speech, and will show you how you can help him even more in your home!.

In reading through the symptoms, it seems like your child experiences some sensory integration problems!. I have a lot of information and resources about this on my website, because I also experience sensory issues, and I have ever since I was a baby!. An occupational therapist who is familiar with sensory integration would be the best one to consult with here!.

However, you can help your son in the mean time by being aware of his issues and needs, which it sounds like you already are getting a good handle on!. Noises, for example the sound of laughing (might be the tones or something) really bother him!. Are there other noises too!? If so, help him to stay away from those noises!. Provide him a quiet place to be if you can!.

He is probably sensitive to smells, based on what you said, and can probably smell things that most people would never notice!. Food is a very sensory experience!. Not only does it have many different kinds of smells, but also different textures, and tastes, and this will be something to pay attention to as you take this journey with your son!.

Great that he loves water!. You can use this because water is excellent for sensory stimulation!. Is there a place you can take him swimming!? If so, great! Another thing you can do in the house, is allow him time for water play!. Fill the sink or tub, and (with supervision of course) let him go at it!. You might consider investing in a sand & water table that he could play with!. Also great for sensory input!.

Glad also to hear about the eye contact, smiles, giggles, etc!. This sounds like no matter what else is going on, you are connected with your child, and that will be one of the most important parts of his treatment in the future!.

Good Luck, and feel free to contact me anytime with questions!.

Jessica
www!.sensoryintegrate!.comWww@Answer-Health@Com





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