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ivfmommy08 · Feb 15, 2011, 11:32 AM

My son I love him so much and I don't know what to do. He is 29months right now and about when he was a little over one year of age he would say mama, dada, papa and he called grandma mam. Just a little bit ago he would say bye bye only once at a time he would repeat at all. Now he will only say dada and he jabbers has always jabbers we even thought he was an early jabber and really was thinking he will be talking our ears off. Some people have been telling us that they think he has autism. The only thing that I see as signs of autism is is the lack of speech and the loss of some speech that he did have and it took him a while to warm up to his new daycare and the kids. At 1st he just played by himself and wasn't very happy but he does well now. My son had many ear infections and did have tubes put in about 5 months ago and 3 months ago he had gotten MRSA and had to have surgery. He has been a speech and occupational therapist he see each one a hour a week the occupational is going great no problems the speech is just now starting improve just a little. I'm hope that maybe it is maybe when he got his tubes put in his ears things sounded different then what they did before and maybe from being sick with MRSA had something to do with the loss of speeck and the speech delay. His farther and I are seeking further testing on his development just so in case if it is autism he can get the extra help he needs and to educate us so we can help to over come what disability he might have. I guess I just want to know if anyone has gone threw this and light they can shed on this for me. I also would like to hear what others thinks to help with dealing with this and knowing I'm not the only one and hear others opinions. Just a wooried mom who wants the best for her son.

JudyKayTee · Feb 15, 2011, 11:36 AM

I always rely on professionals. If they believe there is no problem other than what they have diagnosed, I would have faith in that. You could, of course, always seek a second opinion.

I'm beginning to cringe when I hear the word "autistic." Seems like there is a fair amount of autisim being diagnosed but that also seems to be the first word thrown out there, long before testing is done.

You are doing all the right things and you have to put your mind at ease, whether that's simply holding off for a little bit longer, seeing someone else for a diagnosis, joining some sort of parent group.

I also have to pay you a compliment - people post all the time, asking for an Internet diagnosis, haven't seen a Doctor or any other professional. You have taken matters into your own hands are looking for some support - there's a difference and I applaud you.

jenniepepsi · Feb 15, 2011, 10:22 PM

I have to agree with JKT. Autism is being thrown around a LOT, and speech is not the only diagnostic criteria. There are MANY MANY other criteria that must be met before autism can be diagnosed. A simple speech issue is not a cause for an autism diagnosis.

At his age, it is still perfectly typical to go through a regression for a period. If his doctors are not concerned, breath easy and simply enjoy your son.

Bethjohnson · Feb 15, 2011, 10:46 PM

Many things could have a major role in your son's speech delay. I know my son was having issues with his speech for a while there as well. My son also had tubes in his ears and it did make a difference in his speech habits. He regressed a little bit as he got used to them, and the new environment of a change in daycare can also be the case. I had to deal with that too. My son stopped talking altogether when I changed him to a new daycare, but learning why was the hardest lesson for me. My son wasn't being treated right. Not saying that's the case with your son, just my personal experience. When I changed him again he got back on track and talks my ear off every day. Lol... Now he is 5, almost 6 and he is one of the smartest in his class.

Every child has his or her own learning pattern. My son has severe ADHD and it isn't stopping him. Good luck with your son, I believe he will be fine.

dfwmnms · Feb 21, 2011, 11:33 AM

I too have a 4 year old with speech issues. Although I don't know that he regressed in speech, I changed languages on him when I started feeling like there was something off with his communication skills. I decided that two languages might not be a good thing and may slow him down. Speech therapists think he has very mild autism he is very high functioning if that's the case - but I took him to two different doctors; pediatric developmental neurologist; and the doctor for early intervention. They both said at age 2 and 3 that he is not autistic. School district apeech was the only one that filled out the autism form the others didn't think he was autistic either. Schoold district said developmentaly delayed. He is smart with respect to catching on and learning. He remembers well. He communicates via verbal and gestures, but its not normal communication. Although he doesn't echo what he hears on TV he has random outbursts of words that have nothing to do with what he is doing. He will repeat things he heard at school being said to someone else. Like Mathew go sit down. Common Adrian go to Ms Jenny's room.

Anyway - he is very quirky socially. But he cannot be aspergers because he is social and he doesn't have over verbalization that comes with aspergers. Me too - I have sleepless nights about this child of mine. Strange thing though when he is interested in something - bam! He is giving eye contact, he is social, he will attempt to use all his words and sentences.

He too had many many many ear infections, tubes were put in about 1.5 years ago, one has already fallen out the other is on its way... I just have to sit and wait.

In the meanwhile I hired a behaviour specialist to aid him at preschool every day. She is not using the typical ABA stuff she uses with autistic kids because she is convinced that he is not autistic and that he is way beyond that. But she shows him consequenses for behaviours and tries to get him to accept socialization requests from other kids, not only when it involves running around.

My dilemma is; can it all be because of the ears? Or is it a deeper rooted problem? I am taking care of it with 1/2 day preschool (typical kids) with an aid daily. 3 hours special ed in the afternoon with 90 min of speech in IEP. About 1-2 hours of private speech therapy beyond that. Follow thro at home with forcing to use all his words and providing strict discipline and lots and lots and lots and lots of hugs, kisses and physical contact.

When I discipline I mean I don't cave in. I follow through. He learned if I ask him to come here - and he tunes me out I count to 3. If by 3 he is not right next to me he know I will physically get him by holding his hand firmly as if to say. I mean business.

ivfmommy08 · Feb 21, 2011, 11:49 AM

Thank you for letting me know I'm not the only one going threw this. My son has gotten a little bit better in the last week. I'm still getting checked and working really hard with. Keep me updated about your son. I know everything is going to work out for him you are doing everything you can and that means so much.