My son Danial & Autism ~ the checklist

Does your two- to five-year old child..
1. not respond when you call his or her name or seem generally unresponsive?
2. not use his or her index finger to point to objects to indicate what he or she wants or to show you something?
3. have intermittent or no eye contact?
4. still not speaking?
5. not speak anymore?
6. demonstrate odd or idiosyncratic speech or language- such as endlessly repeating nursery rhymes, echoing, repeating words or phrases or making unusual sounds?
7. demonstrate odd or idiosyncratic behavior - such as hand flapping, finger flicking or constant spinning
8. experience emotional volatility and tantrums that are out of control?
9. demonstrate a regression in overall behavior - including communication, play and social skills?
10. have poor motor coordination when it comes to physical activities such as running or climbing?
11. fixate on objects such as ceiling fans or bright lights or parts of objects such as the wheels of a toy car?
12. seem highly distracted or spaced out?
13. show an inappropriate attachment to objects or frequently put objects into his or her mouth?
14. engage in obsessive, repetitive behaviors such as opening and closing doors, turning light switches on and off or lining up cars?
15. display ritualistic behaviors such as lining up books on the floor in a specific order at specific times?
16. engage in little or no spontaneous pretend play?
17. constantly play by him or himself, showing no interest in peers?
18. never bring or show you toys?
19. show no separation anxiety when you leave?
20. resist change and insist on sticking to specific routines or rituals?
21. engage in self-injurious behavior such as head banging or hand biting?
22. show no apparent fear of danger or pain?
23. not like to be hugged, cuddled or touched?
24. have unanimated facial expressions and or monotone voice?
25. demonstrate extreme over or underactivity?
26. display a lack of sensitivity or oversensitivity to sound, touch or visual stimuli (such as loud noises, rough fabrics..)
27. have unusual sleep patterns(such as trouble falling asleep or not sleeping through the night)?
28. eat only limited, specific foods?

Those nos highlighted were what Danial had when first observed by the doc and therapist when he was first diagnosed as having mild austism with ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder). He was 2 years and 4 months old then.

Danial at the age of 2 years and 4 months old ~ at the time he was first diagnosed with mild autism with ADHD