Is 3.5 too young to test for Asperger's / Autisim

[Southerngirl71]

My niece has a little girl who is 3.5. She is super smart but there are definitely signs that there may be a problem.

She refuses to make eye contact. When she was a toddler she would literally close her eyes if you talked to her so she would not have to look at you. Now, she just turns her head. She literally only eats McDonald's french fries (only straight ones), red colored yogurt and dry cereal. This has also been since she was a toddler. The pediatrician has said he is not concerned about her diet yet and just give her vitamins.

You can not take your eyes off of this child. She learned how to unlock the window and remove the screen. She will sneak right past you if the door is open and go outside. She climbed on top of the entertainment center by using her but to scoot up the back of it with her legs pressed against the wall.

She can not be in a room alone because you never know what will happen. She also refuses to potty train. You can make her sit there all day and as soon as she gets up she will go and then tell you to change her. She also has no interest playing with other kids. We have a huge family and when all the cousins get together she is the only one who would rather play alone that with the other kids. She is constantly putting things in a row (her shoes in her closet, her toys).

I finally mentioned to my niece that I think something is wrong. She agrees but the dr is saying she needs to wait until she is 4 or 5 to make a diagnosis.

She is so smart but I don't see how she will be able to attend school if things don't change. She does not sit still for longer than 5 minutes. When they are visiting, my niece just constantly walks behind her correcting her when she does things she is not suppose to.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice.

 

[mjkacmom]

My niece has a little girl who is 3.5. She is super smart but there are definitely signs that there may be a problem.

She refuses to make eye contact. When she was a toddler she would literally close her eyes if you talked to her so she would not have to look at you. Now, she just turns her head. She literally only eats McDonald's french fries (only straight ones), red colored yogurt and dry cereal. This has also been since she was a toddler. The pediatrician has said he is not concerned about her diet yet and just give her vitamins.

You can not take your eyes off of this child. She learned how to unlock the window and remove the screen. She will sneak right past you if the door is open and go outside. She climbed on top of the entertainment center by using her but to scoot up the back of it with her legs pressed against the wall.

She can not be in a room alone because you never know what will happen. She also refuses to potty train. You can make her sit there all day and as soon as she gets up she will go and then tell you to change her. She also has no interest playing with other kids. We have a huge family and when all the cousins get together she is the only one who would rather play alone that with the other kids. She is constantly putting things in a row (her shoes in her closet, her toys).

I finally mentioned to my niece that I think something is wrong. She agrees but the dr is saying she needs to wait until she is 4 or 5 to make a diagnosis.

She is so smart but I don't see how she will be able to attend school if things don't change. She does not sit still for longer than 5 minutes. When they are visiting, my niece just constantly walks behind her correcting her when she does things she is not suppose to.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice.

No, it is NOT to early, and if there are issues, she is wasting very valuable time.

 

[mckryan]

Absolutely not too early at all!! Please push your niece to find a doctor that will listen to her concerns. Early intervention is sooo important!

 

[Liberty Belle]

No, it is NOT to early, and if there are issues, she is wasting very valuable time.

I agree. And while she's waiting, I suggest she buy some books about autism and sensory integration disorder/sensory processing dysfunction.

 

[Disneychix]

At my son's 2yr old well-visit they did some type of autism screening. They said he scored a 'zero' which means no sign of autism and I was happy that is was one of the very few tests it was good he scored a zero on.

A true diagnosis is one thing a Dr may hold off on but they can, and should, certianly be evaluating her and giving your niece ways to handle behavior issues. If she can't get that from her Ped maybe she can find another or look for help at a local university or hospital program.

 

[Magic Megadegs]

Certainly in the UK it would be possible but early. I'm not sure how it works in the States but we have (in addition to Educational psychologists who have to diagnose) autism charities, some of whom offer support etc for parents who are concerned. It is normally (here) a multi agency diagnosis.

It would help to read up and perhaps utilise some strategies which can help children with aspergers / other ASC diagnoses. Autism support groups may be able to help and be a better resource than clinical physicians?

I teach at a school with a specialist autism unit (many students have aspergers) and we do find from speaking to parents that many had to speak to multiple doctors before finding one that would begin assessment or offer support.

Even if they are not willing to diagnose, they can accept behaviour patterns and offer her and her parents strategies for managing situations / behaviours to help her to function and them to parent in a more informed way?

Good luck x

 

[melneapril]

Yes, early intervention is key to most kids with developmentally disorders. I do want to warn. My school district typically avoids the Aspergers label on kiddos that young. The district will say hey there is something not typical about this child's development and will typically say its possible autism. That freaks some parents out. It depends on how you view autism/Aspergers. Labels scare some people. All school districts are different and I can't speak for medical diagnosis. Those are different. So take that for what it's worth.

 

[Southerngirl71]

I spoke to my sister today and she said that my niece was going to call and ask for a referral to a child psychologist. I will call her tonight to see if she did.

I think both my sister and niece were in denial that there was a problem until I brought it up so I don't think my niece really pushed the pediatrician for answers. Now I wish I would have said something sooner. It has been evident for awhile but neither me nor my mom wanted to mention it. It was really hard telling her I think there is something wrong with your baby.

 

[kirstenb1]

Not too young, and as the parent of a child with autism, her parents need to get moving. If you have a children's hospital close by, there should be specialists in pediatric development. They would also be a good resource in assessing this little girl.

It can take a long time to get an appt, so as painful as it is to contemplate, they really need to get moving.

She's too old for Early Intervention, but around here, our county has screenings where EI partners with the special needs preschool to offer screenings a couple of times a year for the general public regarding the development of children. Your niece doesn't need to wait, though. She could contact the administrators of that preschool to schedule a screening.

Anyway, this is a lot for the parents to process, so be persistent but gentle.

 

[ez]

I would say, Aspergers maybe, Autism no not too young, my son was diagnosed with autism at 15 months.

 

[disneydee6]

We've had a similar issue with tip-toeing around a family member. My aunt adopted a daughter who had mentally ill parents. We knew that she would be developmentally behind (long story involving the adoption) but we also know that she can take advantage of early intervention to help with this. We've suggested it, but to no avail.

I know that there are things that my aunt can do but doesn't. (I've bought the girl more books than I can say, but TV always wins ) I'm happy to hear that your niece took your advice. Sometimes parents need that extra push (done diplomatically of course ) to do what's best for their childs needs.

 

[clm10308]

She needs to check with her local school district about "Child Find". Child Find is the screenings that school district is required to have for infant/preschool children to determine if there may be a disability that would qualify for services.

The child doesn't need to have a medically diagnosed disability to be screened by the district or to qualify for services. At 3.5, I would encourage the school district screening along with the medical evaluation.

 

[TeresaNJ]

I spoke to my sister today and she said that my niece was going to call and ask for a referral to a child psychologist. I will call her tonight to see if she did.

I think both my sister and niece were in denial that there was a problem until I brought it up so I don't think my niece really pushed the pediatrician for answers. Now I wish I would have said something sooner. It has been evident for awhile but neither me nor my mom wanted to mention it. It was really hard telling her I think there is something wrong with your baby.

Same thing with my nephew, David. I noticed from about 18 months that something wasn't right. I felt like you were describing him when describing your niece's child. I kept bringing it up to my inlaws, and they just poo pood it. Finally, when my SIL brought her older child to the school speech therapist, the therapist noticed David playing off by himself, and asked my SIL if she could talk to him. She then told my SIL that she should call a child neurologist. I could kick myself for not bringing it up sooner. He was around 4 1/2 at that point.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Former special ed teacher here. It is absolutely NOT too early. If you have any concerns, please please PLEASE stress to your niece to have her tested. With ASD, as with other disabilities, early detection can be key in the treatment process. Even one to two months can make all the difference in the world when it comes to helping the child. Her pediatrician should be able to run some early tests and then refer her to a specialist if necessary.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I would say, Aspergers maybe, Autism no not too young, my son was diagnosed with autism at 15 months.

Well, the Aspergers label doesn't/won't exist anymore once the new edition of the Psychology diagnosis bible (sorry, can't remember official term). I read about it on CNN. Aspergers is on the autism spectrum. So if they can diagnose autism younger, then they should be able to diagnose a child who falls at that falls on the spectrum where Aspergers used to be.

 

[Peachkins]

Can't remember the exact time, but my cousin was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 or 3 years old. As others have already stated, definitely not too early to look into.

 

[starann]

Have her try to get into a Developmental Ped, a Ped Neurologist or a ped pychiatrist.

My oldest had Aspergers, ADHD, Anxiety, and Tourettes. He was just diagnosed a year ago and we wasted so many precious years and are playing catch up now.

A regular ped knows a little bit on a lot of things, the specalists I listed above can do theproper testing and get him a true medical diagnosis. A child psychologist is an ok place to start and can give you insight to ways to help, but they are not a 'medical' dr, so they can not give a formal diagnosis that will go on medical records and IPES and help with getting medical assistance if needed (in PA an asperger/autism diagnosis will qualify a child for medical assistance, but we needed a letter from his psychiatrist).

 

[Gorechick]

Skip the pediatrician and find the local Early Intervention program. I noticed red flags with my son at 15 months, got him diagnosed and into a specialized program at 2.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

A good team of evaluators can definitely identify areas of need and make suggestions for support for a 3.5 year old. They may not be able to differentiate between conditions that can overlap, such as HFA, Asperger's and ADHD, but they can definitely suggest interventions.

Unless the family has a great deal of money, I'd start by asking for an evaluation through the local public schools. It should be free and can be requested by writing a letter to the local public elementary school, and delivering it in person.

 

[AC7179]

She needs to check with her local school district about "Child Find". Child Find is the screenings that school district is required to have for infant/preschool children to determine if there may be a disability that would qualify for services.

The child doesn't need to have a medically diagnosed disability to be screened by the district or to qualify for services. At 3.5, I would encourage the school district screening along with the medical evaluation.

This!