Does a viral illness ever induce autism? I am terrified because one of my identical twin 91/2 month old boys suddenly stopped reacting to his name, and maintaining continued eye-contact.

Both him and his brother got the swine flu. They didn’t get that sick. But, now this sudden change in him. Just two days before he got sick, he gazed into my eyes and smiled and said “mommmm” and threw his arms up towards me when I picked his sick brother up from daycare (I’ll never forgive myself for not picking him up and hugging him and making a big deal over that moment). Now he won’t look when we say his name, at all (2 weeks after illness onset, 1 week after recovery). He won’t look into my eyes when I play the ‘up’ game with him, which usually has him gazing into my eyes, smiling and giggling.

Both he and his brother had great eye contact, response to their name, gazing into faces, social and responsive smiling, laughing, etc. He started turning his head and smiling at his brother in the crib just over a month old, and at us. He would gaze into our eyes when we fed him, talk to him. I am terrified at this sudden change!

He was on Amoxycillin for eye conjunctivitis that happened with the flu and he saw the doctor, who said he physically looks fine. He was also on tamiflu and had eye drops. I know he can hear, (tested clapping, etc. to see if he would react) but I don’t know how well. We have to wait two weeks just for a call for an ear test.

What are the possibilities? Could it be anything else other than Autism or an ear problem? Please help me, help me know what direction to push. We have Kaiser which isn’t that great. So far I have an ‘ear test’ for sometime in the future weeks or months, and an appointment with a shrink- who DOESN’T want me to take him to the first appointment!

You’re right — getting services immediately is really key — but if the therapist does not know WHAT they are treating, it makes a difference. For instance, there is a difference in how you would treat a kiddo that has an auditory processing disorder, vs. an autistic kid. They might look and act the same (at first), but they would respond differently to different interventions. Getting the diagnosis right is the way to start out things on the right foot — and to more improvement, faster.

The main problem is that our system is not set up to do comprehensive, quality evaluations for all who need them. Most of our communities are limping along with a smattering of services — including evaluation services — and if we had high-quality, well-trained people accessible to all, the diagnosis question would be moot.

Aloha!

Parents want to know what is wrong with their child. Clinicians are pressured to tell them something. But at the end of the day, I don’t care what you call it. If you have a child who is exhibiting several typical DSM IV symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, call it what you want, but start early intervention as soon as possible.

My daughter has a language and communication disability and was given the diagnosis of PDD-NOS so that she would receive services through the “system” for as long as she needed. Those services since the age of 2 are what I feel are responsible for her success today as a 2nd grade student flourishing academically and socially.

I think rather than telling parents that it may be something else other than “autism”, I think the bigger message may be — let’s not get caught up in what name to give it period. Let’s just start interventions to help children with repetitive behaviors, stimming, sensory integration issues, abstract play, etc.

When I let go of demanding clinicians to tell me what exactly was going on, and I just starting focusing on helping her function and really feel better in the world — I saw an amazing thing happen — improvement!

Congrats!

The age factors of which I am aware have more to do with PATERNAL age.

I understand you might worry, and you certainly want to be prepared as early as possible, if needed. But there’s really nothing you can do at this point. I would rather you focus on enjoying this very exciting time, and taking advantage of whatever energy you do have to do things you won’t be able to do as easily, once the baby arrives.

We did infertility treatments for our first child. We asked the doctor, “What are our chances for having a baby from this treatment?” His answer always stuck with me. “I can tell you the overall percentage chance you have, based on the whole population. But that doesn’t really matter. For you, your chances are either 100%…or 0%. Because either you ARE pregnant…or you’re NOT. There’s no “20 or 50 or 75% pregnant.”

The same really applies to you; and everyone who is expecting a child (even via adoption). There’s no way we can control the genetics or the complexities related to autism, or really anything else with how our child is born. And while we want to know our “chances”, that would not impact the outcome in any way, really.

So I wish I had a crystal ball for you, and I certainly appreciate your question! Just this weekend, our baby’s eye puffed up like he had been slugged. Was it a mosquito bite? Or was it some horrible infection? Even the doctor can’t know for sure. It’s so hard to NOT KNOW what is…or might be…wrong with your child. And guessing about probablities is an effort in futility, ultimately.

Welcome to the adventure of parenting…the challenges like this just keep on coming!

I am a student at Hunter college in New York, and I am writing a paper analyzing the effects of IDEA and other federal policy on the Autism epidemic. I would very much like to use a quote from this article in that paper. All or in part:

“Soon, I had parents and teachers asking me to diagnose autism or a related disorder so the child would qualify for intensive, expensive help that was only available under the autism spectrum range of diagnoses. The pressure is tremendous; here is a child who has communication and other developmental delays. His parents have few resources. The school will only pay if there is an autism diagnosis. Many clinicians admit that they rationalize labeling the child “autistic” if it helps them get the services they need.”

I would greatly appreciate your permission to quote you on this, and if possible with your full name for legitimacy. Also, if you have any further information on the impact IDEA has had on you or others in your profession as far as diagnosing autism, I would love to hear it!
Please email me in response.

Thank you!