Sure. Ask away. We will do our best. My son and granddaughter are also autistic besides myself.
Hey there, thank you so much for allowing me to ask some questions. Honestly, I don't even know where to start. My grandson is one year old, and the absolute delight of my world! I began seeing things that seemed "off" to me around 2-3 months of age. But I dismissed it, reminding myself that all babies develop at different ages and stages. However, as time passed, I began seeing more and more signs that seemed to alert me that something just wasn't right. We just celebrated his 1st birthday a couple of weeks ago with a party, including family and few close friends. As the party progressed, the signs that I had been trying to avoid addressing were becoming more and more apparent. So...after the party, give or take a couple of days, I began researching, as at that point, I knew literally nothing about autism or Aspergers, other than they both existed, and that I had known of a child here and there that had been diagnosed with either of the two. Other than that, I was clueless.
I want to list the things that I have watched and observed over the course of his short little life, and let you give me clarity on what I am seeing. I do not expect an expert opinion, I know you guys are not doctors, but I hope that with your experiences maybe you can help me know where to go from here. The list follows below:
*Does not mimic facial gestures, such as sticking out tongue, etc.
*Did not begin making vocal sounds pertaining to vocabulary or otherwise until just a couple of months ago, and to date the only thing he says is da-da.
*Does not point at objects, nor has the ability to clue us in to what he wants or needs.
*Does not wave hello or bye-bye, and does not vocalize them either.
*Does not play baby games such as peek-a-boo or patty-cake.
*Since birth, he has always had an extreme problem with loud noises, whether made by an object, person, or people.
*Does not like crowds, nor lots of people around him at any given time.
*He has major texture issues, including hands and mouth both.
*Waves hands back and forth, in a rhythmic motion, back and forth, up and down, and often rocks back and forth.
Those are the main things that I have noticed thus far. However, he loves to be held when he is going to sleep, and even occasionally during the day. And please let me say this, as I am sure you all feel the same, but I have to say it for clarity's sake...he is PERFECT in every way! But I am just concerned that there may be something going on, and I want to make sure that we go down the right road to get whatever help he may need, including teaching us (his Mimi and Pa, as well as his parents (they all live with us)) how to teach him and mold him as he grows. We want the very best for him and I am hoping that if there is something indeed going on, then finding out earlier rather than later will benefit us all as each day passes.
I appreciate you listening to me, hearing me out, and helping me in any way you can. Thank you so much in advance!!!
