I have a friend who's three year old can reconise all his letters, numbers and colour but other than mummum that is all he can say, he is just beginning to learn how to say his name, he screams all the time, and runs into the wall, and bumps his head. Most of the time he has little or no expression on his face, and seems to be in his own private world. It is obvous he needs to be assessed. I have told her in the past when she asked me my opinion, but she is in complete denial, and won't accept it. I know where she is coming from because I have a son who has Autistic features. I also know it isen't a simple matter of ignoring his crying all the time and trying to make him say words, because she tried tirelessly, day in and day out, talking to him all the time, he barely even aknowledges anyone there unless he wants something then it is screaming, and pointing. I simply don't know what to do at this point, I want to help her because if she gets help for him NOW, it WILL make a world of difference for him later. I've thought about giving her reading material. Either was when he is four he will be in school.

If she asks your advice again, give her the reading material and suggest taking him to be evaluated. The best thing you can do as a friend is give her a sympathetic ear and help her understand that IF he does have some developmental problems its not her fault. She can still be a good mom, she'll just have different challenges.

You can't help her now. It is (the problem) staring her in the face, she is not in reality. I would contact child protective services. I don't know what they can do. Perhaps they can force her to take care of his needs or they can if she is not willing