>>This is becoming a major, major concern. It’s puzzling as to what is going on. We’ve got a three-year old (almost 4) on the spectrum. He’s considered “high functioning”. He still hasn’t spoken one word (he babbles). He can carry a tune and sing it back - “in tune”, though.
I couldn’t speak until I was 4. I took one of those “Does your child have autism” tests with my mother a few years ago and discovered that I was at a high risk for being “on the spectrum” (based on her memories of me at age 4) and still am, I guess.
But, no one hung that label on me when I was a child so I adjusted to what I thought were just eccentricities.
Autism is very real, but “the spectrum” is baloney!
I spent half of my grade school career in the special classes. I would be diagnosed with autism spectrum under the current guidelines.
Today, I’m a little socially awkward but professionally successful, married and raising kids. All of whom are more “normal” than I.
I spent half of my grade school career in the special classes. I would be diagnosed with autism spectrum under the current guidelines.
Today, I’m a little socially awkward but professionally successful, married and raising kids. All of whom are more “normal” than I.
The speaking issue is just one item of several that he has problems with. There are significant delays in several measurable areas, besides speech. It’s not just “one thing” that diagnoses someone (like a lab test and an associated number with that lab test) - but it’s a combination of several things together. It’s the “whole picture” that makes the diagnosis.