I have a daughter who will be 3 in December. I just recently took her into see the pediatrician for a cold and when I was there she was hearing my daughter talking, and asked me if my daughter was hard of hearing, I was like I don't think so why. Then she said "she dont even make sense when she talks" I was a little annoyed and said well actually she is nervous being here and she is making sense. She is saying the names of her two most favorite TV characters "Charlie and Lola" anyway I said are you saying there is a problem and she said well maybe she is a little autistic. I was like "what"? She has never met my daughter accept for that time and I know my baby babbles a lot but for her to just blurt something like that out was uncalled for I think. She even said that she don't look autistic as far as Looks are concerned what ever that means. Anyway she just said lets just wait and see and sent me on my way. Since then I been a nervous wreck wondering if my daughter could be autistic. I know she is not as talkative as most kids her age but she has never been away from me and seeing as I had her later in life most of my friends don't have little kids for her to play with so basically its just been her and I. I just figured it was that reason she was a little behind in speech. She likes to pretend a lot and babbles by herself playing and being a kid. Should I worry or can someone predict this by just hearing her babble for a few short minutes. Help me I am sick over this! :(

I would take her for a second opinion. If this pediatrician really thinks she could be autistic, she should have given you more information and maybe even the name of a specialist in your area.

If I were you, I'd make an appointment with a different doctor to see what they think.

Call your local elementary school and ask if you can have your daughter tested. They give the child a battery of tests (they let the child play and observe them and introduce different stimuli and watch their reaction - nothing scary or stressful for the child and you are there, too.)

They will be able to determine if your child is developmentally delayed (I have one that is MRDD), autistic or has a need for speech therapy (my other child). You can get speech therapy from most elementary schools at the age of 3 at no cost to you, that is if you are in the US.

First of all. Don't worry! Secondly "She DON'T even make sense when she talk"? Are you kidding me? After how many years of Medical School, you'd think this "doctor" would know a thing or two about grammar. Whatever.
She is two! She's not there to make a public speech. If you are worried, (seriously, you shouldn't be) take her in for a second opinion.

One of the key indicators of autism is if she isn't making eye contact, or mimicking. Is that all normal?

I know this post is a little old, but I just have to add my two cents here.

Personally I think the doctor is a "little autistic."

One cannot be a "little" autistic just as one can't be a "little" pregnant. They are autistic or they aren't. Now, don't get me wrong, there are varying degrees of autism. Some more severe than others.

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"she dont even make sense when she talks"

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That grammar is not in the least bit indicative of an educated person such as a doctor. Not only is that doctor a "little" autistic, but that doctor is also in need of an english class.

Hun, your daughter is only 2, she is not to be expected to speak complete sentences clearly. Heck, my boy didn't even speak at all until he was almost 3, now I can't shut him up and he has been tested in the gifted range (but I won't let that show on his school records, sorry, long story and another post there).

Autism is usually (not always but usually) not detected prior to age 3. Here are a few manifestations of autism, now remember that not all children have all of these manifestations and some who do, don't necessarily have severe forms of autism. Heck some perfectly normal people have some of these symptoms too.

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# Impaired reciprocal social interaction - Examples include the following:

* Poor use of body language and nonverbal communication, such as eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures

* Lack of awareness of feelings of others and the expression of emotions, such as pleasure (laughing) or distress (crying), for reasons not apparent to others

* Remaining aloof, preferring to be alone

* Difficulty interacting with other people and failure to make peer friendships

* May not want to cuddle or be cuddled

* Lack of or abnormal social play

* Not responding to verbal cues (acting as if deaf)


# Impaired communication - Examples include the following:

* Delay in, or the total lack of, the development of spoken language or speech

* If speech is developed, it is abnormal in content and quality.

* Difficulty expressing needs and wants, verbally and/or nonverbally

* Repeating words or phrases back when spoken to (known as echolalia)

* Inability to initiate or sustain conversation

* Absent or poorly developed imaginary play

#

*

# Restricted repertoire of interests, behaviors, and activities - Examples include the following:

* Insisting on following routines and sameness, resisting change

* Ritualistic or compulsive behaviors

* Sustained odd play

* Repetitive body movements (hand flapping, rocking) and/or abnormal posture (toe walking)

* Preoccupation with parts of objects or a fascination with repetitive movement (spinning wheels, turning on and off lights)

* Narrow, restricted interests (dates/calendars, numbers, weather, movie credits)
Behavioral symptoms

* Aggressive or self-injurious behavior

* Noticeable extreme underactivity or overactivity

* Throwing tantrums

* Short attention span

* Abnormal responses to sensory stimuli (expressing oversensitivity or undersensitivity to pain)

* Abnormalities in eating or sleeping

* Not responding to normal teaching methods

* Playing in odd or unusual ways

* Having inappropriate attachment to objects

* Having no apparent fear of dangerous situations

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Autism

Take her to a pro. Don't stress out over it so much, she's probably fine. Its hard to find a good pediatrition, I know because none of them could diagnose my sister with hydrocephalus (water on the brain). You shouldn't be too worried, after all, your daughter is talking. Look for simple things such as eye contact, autistic kids have a really hard time making eye contact.
If she is autistic, it doesn't sound like she has a serious form of it. Check out america's next top model on a Wednesday night. There's a girl on there with a form of autism and she is very normal.
but really, if you are worried that she might have it, just go get another opinion. Chances are she doesn't really have it.
Good luck =)