Just a couple of personal experiences. My brother was the third of 4 children. He never spoke, just pointed and grunted when he wanted something. Then, suddenly, around age 3, he started speaking in complete sentences. Turned out he had a genius IQ. And he had all his needs met by pointing and grunting. His two older sisters (including myself) got him anything he wanted. He didn't need to speak. He grew up normally and graduated from college.
My nephew was very inquisitive as a toddler. He loved "taking things apart", including an alarm clock and the door to his bedroom. His early speech was odd. He didn't use pronouns properly. He'd say "He did it" when he meant "I did it" and "They went away" when he meant "she". Diagnosed with autism at an early age, he attended Special Ed from pre-school on, including early speech therapy. He's now age 20. He managed to graduate from high school, has a factory-assembly job and is the father of a 2 year old girl, not married to his girlfriend, does not know how to drive. It takes all kinds. I know nothing about autism. I doubt there's a link to specific foods. Doctors know more about this. Good luck with your GS. Early diagnosis helps,hope he can get the education he needs.

While teaching kindergarten, I had the opportunity to work with a number of children who had varying degrees of autism. By the way, the definition of what "fits" under the term autism has changed over the years and is now influx again. Some of the children I taught had already been identified as being autistic while other parents suspected that something wasn't quite right but feared finding out. Often it was in the school year that they sought a referral for testing.

I'm only passing on what I experienced but a number of these children had intestinal issues. Sometimes it was determined to be food allergies while others would only eat foods that had certain textures. Foods that were mushy or things like jello made them feel like they were choking. Everyone of them had certain things that made them unique. For the most part, they were sweet kids, many of them very bright and perceptive.

I have a friend whose GS was diagnosed with Aspergers while in elementary school. He is very bright, can remember every statistic for his uncle's football team. He
is one of those that has digestive issues. The doctors do
feel it is related somehow. He is part of a study that is being done by a medical facility in Oregon.

Good luck with your GS. Early intervention is important.
Be aware that if the diagnosis is Autism, that he can get into special programs in the school system. My friends GS actually had an individual paraprofessional with him throughout elementary school to help him cope with the stimulus overload that occurs for some.

My grandson was not talking at age 3. DD and SIL found one of the best autism specialist in the country in Nashville, Tn. There are many degrees of autism. DGS was diagnosed with delayed speech. He is 10 now and doing great in school. Dr. Stephen M. Camarata, Ph.D. is the head of this program.
here is a link link. http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/site/people/1431/camarata-stephen.aspx
Camarata disagreed with all the test my grandson was given in public school in Ga, thought they were old and outdated. He thinks that school systems encourage diagnosis of autism for more state and federal money.

Hi ronm80, could you tell me what therapy was used to get your grandson to talk. How long did it take from being diagnosed for him to start talking??

Thanks

You mentioned he was very sociable. I don't know much about autism but I thought that was one major thing they weren't good at - that they weren't very social.

I'm sure they are testing him properly, but if he's sociable and doesn't have autism, maybe he has a hearing problem. I know many kids with hearing problems point and often develop language very late. Or possibly he has a tongue or mouth/cleft formation problem creating speech problems.

Good luck. Keep us updated on what they figure out. But the way, I've never heard of the milk/wheat problem with autistic kids but, again, I am not all that familiar with it.

Just from the little bit you mentioned, I don't really see that is autism symptoms but it IS best to have him questioned. My BIL didn't talk until later on and according to his parents, once he started he never shut up...HA...now he's a preacher! HA! He is extremely intelligent!

I meant "have him tested"...gah...

Judy, I would like for you to talk with my Daughter, Nicole. If you will e-mail me I will send you her e-mail address. My e-mail is ronm80@yahoo.com.

I had the exact same experience as Jannie did with her brother, with my son. He would grunt, point his finger, and get exactly what he wanted from his older sisters. he was happy and social, but he wasn't speaking at age 3. I had a couple people question it - but I felt he was fine.

His sisters went off to school...he began speaking in full sentences. His only problem was he figured out at a very young age how to manipulate the teachers/school. They seem to desperately want to label kids now. Once a kid figures out he doesn't have to do something and the school allows it - all bets are off. I called BS on it and made him get his act together and that was that.

I KNOW there are kids out there with genuine disabilities. I am grateful there are resources for them and their families... just beware of the person who wants to immediately drug or label your child.

Is it just me, or does it seem autism is so prevalent now. Years ago, I rarely heard of a case especially when I was young but even when my kids were. I know or knew no one diagnosed with it. Is it environmental or are we just now diagnosing it? >>I do think a social child probably has a mild case or Aspergers because severe autistic kids don't make eye contact or communicate much if at all.

My grandson is an only child so does not have other siblings that speak for him. He has been checked for hearing loss also.

I find it strange that at 3 he does not know his body parts or is interested in animals and their sounds. Yet, when you tell him it is time for his bath he runs into the bathroom and takes off his clothes. He seems to have selective hearing.

Early diagnosis and intervention is key to any child's developmental delays. Good thoughts for a successful outcome for your grandson.

My GGS was diagnosed moderate autism. Now they say he is mild. He did have hearing problems that the pediatrician missed (we did not, but his stupid dr did) and had tubes put in. He also had impacted sinuses and had to have them corrected medically. One of the signs of autism, is the child will walk around and around and touch and feel things. He is getting good care at head start and preschool, but now talking some sentences and words. He tends to put too much in is mouth, but eats everything. Remember every child is different and the Autism Association has some good information. Even many Dr's are not sure of what treatments. Just read as much as you can on Web MD, Mayo Clinic, etc. they watch and write actions down. DO NOT take one Dr's opinion set in stone. Be flexible and ask lots of questions and keep journals. Good luck,

Hoping for a good outcome for your grandson, enjoyingspring, whatever the diagnosis.

About knowing 'bath' and not the animals and their sounds... Is he a city boy? Has he ever been exposed to many animals? If he's not afraid of them, maybe a visit to a farm or petting zoo might get him interested.

Einstein didn't talk till he was four. My own son did not have a extensive vocabulary when he was a toddler. And when he did talk, I couldn't understand half of what he said. I redshirted him for kindergarten which I heard on 60 minutes was the "new" thing to do for yuppy parents with kids with summer birthdays. He was 6 entering kindergarten as are so many in today's suburban schools. New trend but I was much ahead of everyone in the '60's. Point is that son is a successful college grad with a good job. He still mumbles though

Another child, the daughter spoke complete sentences before she was a year old and could point to body parts. Compared to the first born, I thought she was a genius. She's still very intelligent, but I think in the toddler years girls are more advanced in almost everything. Just my experience

But your grandson should be tested in any event. Good luck..

We have a 21 year old autistic grandson and have been down that rocky path all of those years. DIL has become one of the specialists in providing educational help in our school system. The "spectrum" of Autism, is from very low functioning to the high functioning Asbergers....lots in between. The good news is that early diagnosis and intervention is most important. Lots of studies have been done trying to discover the cause of this dysfunction and there are many books and organizations with many points of view. You asked about food and (in our minds) we have believed that food played a role and our GS was on many restrictive diets. Life is easier today, because many more people are believing that much of our processed food, food colorings and preservatives, dairy and soy and processed wheat (or anything processed) is not the best for best health. Think about all the allergens and chemicals we have added to our environment and our adult bodies have learned to tolerate those more gradually over our lifetimes, They are being thrust onto those wee little bodies. Makes one wonder.

Another GS, born the same year, had delayed speech as some others have related. At age 3 MD advised DD to just not give him anything when he 'grunted' and 'pointed' and she just could not bear that process, so they came home for the weekend. He so loved his grandfather "Bomp" that we decided that unless he tried to say "Ba" he would not be able to go to "Boomp". Making a long story short....we kept at him with the "BA...BA....Ba" and the new name of "Baaboo" was born...and the idea of making sounds followed.

It is very scary to be where you are....waiting for that 'word'. I am sending you Hugs...and the reassurance that this is not the worst place in the world to be. Help is available....the 20+ year olds have paved a way for the little ones to follow and they have taught us so much. Our GS is doing very well....limitations, yes, but he has come such a long and wonderful way.

Thank you nanny98

EnjoyingSpring,
Your posting reminded me of a 3 year old, the son of a doctor, who I babysat for, over 30 years ago. He had a sister who was a few years older, who was perfectly normal. But this little guy would only grunt and point.
I alwasy wondered what became of him, as I stopped babysitting as I go a regular part time job after that summer.
So, I just googled him - he has an unusual name and the age was right, so I'm pretty darn sure this is him. It looks like he has two degrees and works as a pharmaceutical sales rep. Not too bad.
I hope the news on your dear grandson is good.
best thoughts.

My grandson is autistic. He says very few things, is not social, and is 10 yrs old. Pointing is very good, he didn't do that. Most autistic kids can speak but he has another problem that has to do with his mouth muscles..apraxia. Forming words, which comes easily for most, is very hard for him.
I hope your grandson is okay, it sounds like he has a lot in his favor...

This is a subject that's close to me. As cate said, "Early diagnosis and intervention is key to any child's developmental delays. Good thoughts for a successful outcome for your grandson."
My DD has worked with autistic kids for 12 yrs., starting as an undergrad to a psychologist running a university research treatment program. I've heard about a LOT of her kids. And my son was diagnosed at the age of 32 with Aperger's -- which made his entire life from the age of 2 make sense.
From what I've heard from my DD and researched and lived over the years, (my Asperger's son didn't talk until he was almost 3 & then it was in paragraphs -- he's an engineer) is that autistic kids have no or poor social interactions/skills. They don't connect/find it extremely difficult to connect to the majority of people who don't have some degree of autism.
From what my DD has learned over the years, some autistic kids do have severe food sensitivities/allergies (it's called "leaky gut")& eliminating the offending food/s helps. And some don't. It doesn't hurt to try to find out if allergies are exacerbating the condition, . What DOES work is behavioral therapy. That's why early intervention is crucial.
Your grandson sounds like my Apergers son. I wish I had known 30 yrs. ago that this is what he was dealing with -- I could have made his life easier had I known.

I've worked for 3 years in a Before/After School Daycare that includes 7 special needs children. Autism indeed has a large range of symptoms and skills and Asperger's Syndrome falls under the umbrella of Autism. We have one little boy with Autism who cannot speak at all, and prefers playing by himself, rather than joining the other children. He does however, smile very readily and maintains eye contact whenever anyone speaks to him. He also loves to give hugs, which is not common for many Autistic kids.

We have 5 children with Asperger's Syndrome, who have normal speech skills and engage in conversation and play with the other kids. They do sometimes upset another child by freely expressing their thoughts without any filter for diplomacy or tact, so their social skills are somewhat compromised. However they do well academically and I have no doubt they will find careers where personal skills are less important.

One little girl with Autism did not speak, wasn't toilet trained and coudn't drink out of a cup at 4 years old. By age 5 and a half she was speaking, fully toilet trained and eating normally! This 'miracle' came about when her doctor discovered she was lactose intolerant and allergic to gluten.

Within 2 months of being on a gluten and dairy free diet, she started bursting out in speech and her other benchmarks suddenly began catching up as well. I would never have believed this if I hadn't witnessed it myself, so I can't help but feel that there may often be a dietary link to physiological symptoms.

This little girl loves playing with other children, but still has the common trait of Asperger's in that she displays lower functioning social skills. She cannot understand body language, innuendo, sarcasm, or interpret facial expressions to help determine emotion. At 7 years old she is still unaware of personal space, modesty, and is completely trusting.

Although she is very bright and reads 3 grades above level, this is our geatest concern because it makes her more vulnerable to bullies or predators. We, along with her parents are constantly teaching her the fine balance between 'normal' social interaction and 'not normal' social interaction.

Even if your grandson is diagnosed with Autism, there is such a huge variance along the scale that while it is upsetting to learn, it is not necessarily going to lead to a life of woe. The fact that he is very sociable and loveable already puts him out of the catagory of those most severely affected, without the ablilty to disengage from their own private world. Take heart, as he is very young still and the programs and knowledge we possess today are leaps and bounds ahead of even 10 years ago!

Thank you pickyshopper, you have given me a lot of hope.

She is defintley going to try the milk and gluten free.

this feingold diet has been around for years...now if it works for potential autism? one mom i knew back in the 70's switched her ds onto it and had good results but he had a-d-d...it was a LOT of reading lables and fresh food cooking over frozen veggies...in his case he dropped all corn related items including corn syrup to corn starch (which we now know is found in everything)

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.feingold.org/

Thank you Susan, I have been trying to remember that diet.

I am astonished every day by the discoveries I make by reading labels. Just when you think you have read them all, one kinda slams into your face. I thought I knew every product that contained 'sodium laurel sulfate' and looked at the Angel Food Cake mix (as in 123 cake)....guess what....there it is. It is commonly found in shampoo, soaps and things you want to 'lather' up.

I had a son allergic to cow's milk. So let me explain a few basics. First of all, if a child is allergic to cow's milk, it will take about a month for it to leave his system, unlike other allergens. As a result, it took us a few months to "dry him out" as people kept giving him foods with milk in them. Some moms gave him sherbet when the other kids got ice cream, thinking there was no milk in it. Sometimes he accidentally got milk too. But once he was off milk 100%, we saw a huge difference.

We took him off milk because he could not sleep well--coughing and sneezing all night constantly. So the first changes included better sleep. He also was more able to manage following the rules of the house, and melt downs disappeared. The circles under his eyes (called allergy shiners) disappeared, and months later I finally noticed that he was no longer grinding his teeth while he slept.

Our pediatrician warned us not to give him any soy products during the testing period as half his patients allergic to milk are also allergic to soy. So we waited, but he was able to manage soy when we gave it to him. He could also drink/eat goat milk. The first time I gave him goat milk, it had been two years or so since he had had cows milk, so he did not remember that flavor and liked the goat milk, but I think that forgetting the taste of cows milk helped there.

PS Be sure to eliminate milk by products too--whey, caesin.

I definitely believe it could help and to also be on guard with any reactions to other foods. I changed my diet radically and my auto immune conditions have completely subsided. I keep it to whole foods and with close attention to everything I eat and I now (after a full year of monitoring) can tell what foods aggravate my system. I would never have believed this five years ago but tried it out of desperation after having a reaction to one of my meds.
I don't think people realize how powerful food is to their bodies.

My oldest child, a boy, had autism spectrum disorder. it began to manifest itself at age 18 months and was diagnosed at age 3. Therapists at that time did not trust early age diagnosis because of other diseases masquerading as autism. For our case, a definite diagonsis was decalred at age 3. We had a heartbreaking time of it.
We could not afford proper treatment and insurance did not cover "mystery" diseases. Our kid was antisocial and clever. He exhibited two personalities: one when he was in our presence and another when he was beyond our control or knowlege. He strove to keep these two lives separated, but when the two spheres of existance happened to meet, he tried to shrink into nothing like trying to melt into the floor. For example, one time he was with us when we were standing in line at the village hall to vote. Suddently, he dropped to the floor and covered his head. We were puzzled. The problem: He had spied his school teacher in the line next to us. We had never met this treacher, but we happened to say a casual hello to each other.

We had another problem with school. He was an odd-ball at school and others began to either shun or tease him. His anger was held until it spilled over the break point and he would explode on someone. Sometimes, it was not the proper object, but another child who was nearby and whom he knew he could best. The second and major problem was the attitude of school personnel. This problem was festering and they never contacted us until it had gotten out of control. One day, he split he lip of a little girl and chipped her tooth. I beleive her parents were threatening legal action against the school, and it was at this point when the school authorities first contacted us. We were hauled in to inform us our son was being thrown out of school. This was the first time the school contacted us, and it was the first time we became aware of the problem. He had just become a 1st grader and was being tossed out. Nothing was ever done about teasing.

There is more to this story and parental tears, but I'll wrap it up with the outcome. We moved to a different school system and when he came to live with us again, he entered his freshman year in high school. At graduation, he won the "most improved" student. He's now 45 years old, living away from home, and managing to hold a job to earn barely enough to pay his rent and food. He still has a couple of personal demons to resist, but these affect only him. One demon he has defeated. We are proud of his progress. It is much more than the progonosis of his childhood. It has taken much support tempered with iron will from his parents. On thing I will say is never give up, and do not accept inappropriate behavior. Do not respond to inappropriate behavior, but always be alert and always respond positivetly to appropriate behavior.

As an adult, maintain contact and include him in the family circle. Make a point to visit with him on...

cookie8 I am interested in knowing what foods you have taken out of your diet, maybe you can share that with me.

My grandson now has been diagnosed with "pervasive developmental disorder" he is now waiting to be slotted in for therapy. We have found that taking him off milk products has helped with his attention.

It can be hard to remember in the midst of all this concern that a child is his own quite perfect SELF -- never his 'diagnosis'. His family needs to keep on loving and supporting him for who he IS, separate from his 'performance'. Love never spoiled a child. It's one of the viral ingredients for human life.

judy, check this out...used for years for hyper-activity it couldn't hurt for the family to check this site...a classmate of my kids(1980's) was put on the diet and had good results..lots of label reading, fresh not frozen foods...in his case elimanation of corn and corn related prodects...including corn sweetners...but he had an allergy to them...

another sourse of info, holly robinson peete http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/good_day_ny/holly-robinson-peete-writes-autism-book-20100405

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.feingold.org/

Geez...'vital', not 'viral'! I thought I'd proofread it.

jemdandy, it sound like your son has Asperger's syndrome. Our son wasn't diagnosed until he was 32, and that explained a WHOLE lot of his life since he was 2. And after 15 yrs. of hell he's learned to live with it (before the diagnosis.) And is an engineer and getting married in August. The road he traveled to get here is horrible, but he's here!!!!! And, yeah, parental support is crucial. And the more the parent(s) can learn the better. When I got his diagnosis that finally made sense for his life, I researched, researched, researched. And finally knew where HE was coming from. And he's made tremendous progress since then because I know where he's coming from. That's what parents of autistic "kids" have to do -- work with them from where they're coming from. Peace and joy to you and your son. And to enjoyingspring and her grandson.