Barbara Said:

Parent opinion , Is this normal?

We Answered:

A lot of toddlers especially busy ones, don't make eye contact much because they're constantly trying to figure out what they're going to do next. Those also tend to be the toddlers who are slower in speech because it's just not important to them right now, running, jumping, climbing etc is. It's FAR too boring for them to sit still and have a conversation for 2 minutes, when there are so many more fun things to do.

Language has a HUGE variation. Some kids don't start speaking much until 3 years old - others are talking up a storm at 16 months. And for the most part - it's all normal. The fact that she is speaking at all is great. At two, sentences aren't expected - being able to put two words together "My want" "My milk" "Milk gone" "Bye mom" etc is expected - full sentences beyond that are not.

Often children who aren't exposed to other children frequently are behind in social skills - for some kids this translates to excellent verbal skills, but limited play skills. They can talk all day, but have no idea how to play with someone and play alone. For others, they're busy and playful, but don't speak well. Also, children who are at home with the same adult all the time tend to fall into routine - they don't need to communicate because you know them and what they want without them saying anything. They run to the fridge with a cup - you know they want juice or milk, no need to talk for them. They cry and run to the pantry - oh, you're hungry. Again, no need to talk.

A good example of this is a friend of mine who has a 3.5 year old. At 3 years old he had the speech capabilities of a 2 year old, wasn't speaking much or well at all. She started taking him to play groups with other children and almost over night he was speaking at a 4 year old level, advanced for his age - he needed the exposure to language and he needed the encouragement to communicate with others who didn't understand him like mom did.

Your daughter sounds OK to me.

Jose Said:

Has anyone else been in this situation with their toddler?

We Answered:

My daughter did the same thing... i took her to the dr and they found nothing wrong with her and told me it was just her trying to figure out what and how to deal with her emotions.

i would take her to the dr to be checked out anyways, but this could be all it is!

I doubt that a child at 2 is bi polar!!!

Jacob Said:

Please help, anyone familiar with autism, concerning my toddler.?

We Answered:

Hi I am the mother of 4 boys. My oldest is now 12 and has Pervasive Developmental Disorder, one of the Autism Spectrum Disorders. As a little one he went to a therapeutic preschool everyday, received speech and OT. He is currently going into a self-contained Junior high class.

It is very hard to find credible professionals at times. I just want to say, don't settle for ignorant, arrogant doctors or let them make you feel guilty. I too have been there. Unless this doctor has a child with special needs, I feel it is very hard for them to grasp the family dynamics of having an Autistic child.

I too had to turn away services because we could not afford them or they were just too inconvenient with rest of my family. I find that all too often doctors are too quick to criticize or speak out of ignorance. Keep searching until you find the right doctors for you and your son.. In the future you will need support and guidance from many fields.

Don't let anyone tell you what you should be doing, you know your son best and your financial and emotional limitations. Autism is a hard enough diagnosis to deal with. Read as much as you can and do the best you can! That's all anybody can be expected to do! I wish you the best!