Is it autism?

[alizesmom]

I mentioned that I was getting a new daughter. She's here and beautiful. She is almost 3, has multiple physical problems and developemental delays. She is nonverbal, can sit, can stand with assistance. My concern is that she coos like a dove most of the time, hits herself in the face with closed fists if angry or frustrated, does a lot of bouncing (? self-stim), hand-clapping, foot-clapping and has sleep issues. With so much going on physically, I don't want to let these issues get lost. Does it sound like autistic behaviour? Thanks, Karen

 

[disney-super-mom]

I mentioned that I was getting a new daughter. She's here and beautiful. She is almost 3, has multiple physical problems and developemental delays. She is nonverbal, can sit, can stand with assistance. My concern is that she coos like a dove most of the time, hits herself in the face with closed fists if angry or frustrated, does a lot of bouncing (? self-stim), hand-clapping, foot-clapping and has sleep issues. With so much going on physically, I don't want to let these issues get lost. Does it sound like autistic behaviour? Thanks, Karen

It's hard to say what it could be without knowing her history before she was blessed with a mom like you.

I child who was severely neglected could also show similar symptoms as the ones you mentioned.

I would have her thoroughly evaluated as soon as possible, because regardless of her diagnosis, the earlier she gets quality therapy, the better.

I wish you both the absolute best!

 

[SueM in MN]

It's hard to say what it could be without knowing her history before she was blessed with a mom like you.

I child who was severely neglected could also show similar symptoms as the ones you mentioned.

I would have her thoroughly evaluated as soon as possible, because regardless of her diagnosis, the earlier she gets quality therapy, the better.

I wish you both the absolute best!

Totally agree and send some hugs too

It may be that she has some neurologic reason for what you are seeing. It's also possible that the behaviors are related to some of the physical problems you know. Evaluation should help you sort it out.

I was a Public Health Nurse for quite a few years and also worked in an in-patient Pediatric Psych unit for about 2 and 1/2 years. Children who are severly neglected may do self stimulating behaviors because they were not given appropriate stimulation. I have also heard of some similar behaviors in children with sensory deficits who are neglected - since they are not getting input in one way, they 'make' some of their own input in ways they can experience it. The last thing is that if she was in a situation where other kids were doing those behaviors, she may have 'caught' them from other children. Infants and toddlers tend to mimic the behaviors they see around them (after all, that's how they learn).

 

[fakereadhed]

Does your state have early childhood programs? They are a great way to get early intervention for problems like you describe and a great resource for questions like this. I didn't find out about them until I was calling about playgroups(my DS couldn't attend any of them because he wasn't crawling)and someone gave me a phone number. Maybe you have already checked this out, but I wanted to mention it just in case.

 

[pcparamedics01]

I mentioned that I was getting a new daughter. She's here and beautiful. She is almost 3, has multiple physical problems and developemental delays. She is nonverbal, can sit, can stand with assistance. My concern is that she coos like a dove most of the time, hits herself in the face with closed fists if angry or frustrated, does a lot of bouncing (? self-stim), hand-clapping, foot-clapping and has sleep issues. With so much going on physically, I don't want to let these issues get lost. Does it sound like autistic behaviour? Thanks, Karen

I agree with fakeredhed. Definately call an Early intervention program. Here it is called Babies Can't Wait...They will do an evaluation for free. Early intervention is the key...
Big hugs Karen....