Autism, you say? Then why is she pretending?

This is Abigail. She is almost 5. I don't know most of what she says, but she can pretend play with Clifford the dog.
She strips down at home and is more comfortable with nothing on. Hopefully that will stop as she gets older. If not, I will do something about it then.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Autism
• pretend play
• MR
• developmental delay
• communication disorder
• speech delay
• articulation disorder
• hearing loss
• CP

[funlover2283]

I believe Autism is being overdiagnosed, thus the "epidemic increaese in Autism". This doesn't look like Autism to me.......

[lizardbreath1981]

@funlover2283 Abigail was then diagnosed by a different doctor as having autistic disorder, even though we were also told that she had a hearing loss. Her hearing loss didn't make her speak the way she does, and neither did the autism. At this point, I have no clue what she has, but she has been tested for a dozen different genetic conditions and all were negative. I may never know and am for now just stuck with the list of her "symptoms" as diagnoses. What do you think it could be?

[SuperMissblueeyes]

There are children on the autistic spectrum that are able to play pretending & imaginary games, but I agree with "613rachel". It seems more like an issue with hearing & speech than autism. Most children with autism who are able to pretend, tend to be in their own world, but not interact with those around them while they're pretending. There are other things I picked up on with her behaviour as well which all brought me to the same conclusion. There's more to autism than communication issues.

[lizardbreath1981]

@SuperMissblueeyes Her condition is confusing to all involved. She also has some severe behavior problems although I only choose to post a few mild situations as that isn't my focus. She just recently became potty trained and she is 5 1/2, but still has a lot of accidents. She very rarely looks anyone in the eyes or even at their faces, but instead at the ground or to the side. If she sees multiple of one object (chairs, cans, purses, cars, toy food, etc.) She will line them up.

[lizardbreath1981]

@SuperMissblueeyes While lining up the objects, she color coordinates them. She only flaps her hands on occassion, but keeps her fingers in her mouth most of the time and has ruined her teeth and jaw doing this. She has sores on her hands from this as well. She toe walks a lot, and has a horrible time with any type of transition and becomes irate and screams uncontrollably during these times. She does interact to a point, but all children can love and become close to those around them.

[613rachel]

Based on 20 years of experience with kids with special needs ( I specialize in PDD and autism) your child is NOT autistic. She does, however, have a severe language delay - no surprise there considering the cochlear implant).

She is very with it: full of imagination, personality, and extremely interactive with you. It's a pleasure to see. I'm happy you're hs'ing her- that's the best thing for her.

You're doing a great job-keep it up. She's going to be okay!

[lizardbreath1981]

@613rachel Thank you for the words of encouragement. I assume that the children you work with must be quite severe? I thought Abigail is severe compared to several kids I've met with a similar diagnoses. She just recently got the cochlear implant and actually was not "deaf", but that is a different story all together. It was a processing issue, and the cochlear implant was with the hope of her speech improving and becoming more clear. Even with the implant, she does not respond appropriately.

[lizardbreath1981]

@MiaMccB She is five, and is potty trained!  She is talking a little better after the cochlear implant. She is still Abigail, though. lol.

[LetMeRok]

4 years old and wearing just a diaper that looks like a sign for autism

[Tricianne7]

well this isnt funny but my son when he was 3 onwards would talk in a strange language like he was speaking chinese.

[ajf7279]

She reminds me very much of my autistic daughter. I wasn'tt comfortable labeling her at first. We all have to find our own way thru this maze. What I don't understand are the "internet MD"s who think that they can dx random kids via a 3 minute random video, often disputing an actual dr's dx. Whatever is challenging your daughter, may she overcome it and live a strong, happy life. My daughter has autism and that is our battle. Yours has her's and you will face it together.  Blessed be. :)

[carinagillon]

she's sweet and cute  that's my diagnosis

[realitymainperson]

autism ruined my life.

[LadyBugandCoCoPuffs]

aww..she is adorable and cute=)

[gabgirl]

The1CamBo is an asshole,..with no heart,..

[The1CamBo]

she looks/talks like charles manson

[RedHotChilliA]

Children with autism comes in all forms. Please don't rule this out completely. The therapies will only take the beautiful child you see and allow her to focus and pull that personality together so that she can join her peers. The therapists are trained to draw out the talents that each child has by focusing on their personal areas of difficulty.

[RedHotChilliA]

I work with children who are very high functioning. We pretend and have conversations. I would not completely rule out autism because I have seen the amazing benefits that come along with ABA therapy. ABA therapy can help and child and this little girl definitely could benefit. The ABA therapy and speech therapy are both additional things that are often looked into to make sure Abigail has the opportunity to be the best she can. All of these services are offered for free through waivers.