another 3-year-old with possible AS diagnosis

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I just found these forums and wanted to introduce myself and share my story.

My son turned three years old in October, and last week we had a preliminary appointment with the nurse practitioner at the neurodevelopmental pediatrician's office. She observed him playing, did a basic autism screening and talked to me at length, in addition to reviewing all his prior evaluations.

She said that while he "passed" the screening, it was only on the second or third time that he displayed the required behavior/joint attention. And there are other "soft" signs of AS that gave her pause (some echolalia, some arm flapping when upset, trouble with transitions, obsession with one topic—Thomas trains, a lack of imaginative play, etc). This news was not entirely unexpected, and although we still don't have an official diagnosis in hand, I am thinking he will end up with it down the line.

I noticed something amiss at 12 months, when he still wasn't pointing or waving (and didn't have any meaningful words, either). He was found to have a language delay at that point, as well as a fine motor delay, but made huge progress with his language with EI services—he had a language explosion just around 17 months and was talking in complex sentences by age 2 (when I had another baby). But although his language progressed, he didn't develop socially. He started having trouble with unprovoked pushing/shoving other children at daycare from around 16 months. His fine motor issues also did not improve much. He started getting OT through EI and then privately starting this past June. This has helped him somewhat, but he still can't jump with two feet off the floor or imitate lines or circles well on paper (just two examples).

On the surface, he seems very typical—chatty, sociable, funny, smart. He's a loving, affectionate little boy, who has empathy and expresses/identifies emotion. But he is not at the same level as his peers in many ways. He can't attend to task. He is hyperactive. He has also been found to be sensory-seeking/low-registering, and has to touch things and people. He has trouble with transitions. He doesn't engage in much creative/dramatic play. He can be aggressive and impulsive.

After he aged out of the EI program at age 3, he did qualify for special-needs preschool in the local school district. They offer an integrated class, which he attends in the afternoons. But he struggles at daycare the rest of the day. I think he probably needs more intensive services to really make progress.

Anyway, I'm looking to make connections and learn more about what might be on the horizon for us. Thanks for reading!

At this point it may be hard to tell. My 4 yr old son who was diagnosed with PDD/Nos or possible Asperger's had many physical delays--did not walk until he was 21 mos., and he just started being able to jump right before he turned 4.

Is your son's language in a back and forth conversation style, or is he just repeating things that you say or that he hears?

My son also has trouble staying on task, but he is not hyperactive. At this point, my son does not seem to have empathy with others, and has a hard time reading emotions.

As far as the Thomas Trains, I think a lot of 3yr olds are sort of obsessed with characters. My son is obsessed with car makes and models and also with churches, and he likes to talk about them all of the time!

I think you may have enough concerns to have him evaluated, but just keep working with him in the meantime. He may just have some delays.

Good luck!

His language is usually appropriate--functional, spontaneous and conversational. But he does repeat the ends of sentences a lot of the time. Like, I'll say, "We're going to stop at the gas station," and he'll say "The gas station?" almost like a question.

I know the Thomas obsession can be "normal" but it's how he plays with the trains (nothing imaginative going on there, really), how he constatntly repeats the lines from books and shows out of context/inappropriately, etc.

We're paying the NP at the neurodevelopmental pedi's office again right after the New Year, so she may order a formal autism screening (ADOS) then. I know ADHD is another possibility, but many of his "quirks" can't be explained away by that alone.

Thank you for sharing your experience!

Sounds like your doing what needs to be done. Your little boy is lucky to have such a on the ball mom and it will help him lead a productive and happy life in the long run. Best of luck and welcome to WP !

Just trust your motherly instincts and push forward with the testing. I know it can be a very difficult time, but even if he gets the diagnosis, just remember he is still a unique little boy with lots of strengths as well.

With therapy and the right educational setting, my son has really progressed. He was diagnosed at 2.5 years old, and we started him in a special needs pre-k at 3 yrs. old. He is now talking a lot better, has more initiative, and is now at 4 yrs old starting with some imaginary play.

I agree, your son is lucky to have a mom that is informed and on top of this. Just keep interacting with him as much as you can and keep giving him your unconditional love.