your earliest "reported" signs of autism

Post Reply New Topic

The earliest signs I know of were:

Having a large vocabulary at 2 and learning to read by 3
Disinterest in social interaction from about 3
Lack of coordination and muscular strength, which became apparent at school at age 4.

My main characteristics were a lack if interest in others, poor fine motor control (it took me a long time to learn to write) and obessions - first of all with water then fire.

The earliest sign was probably my sensory issues, which have always been severe. We have a home movie of my first bath, and as soon as I was put in the water, I started bawling. Can't say for sure, but I have a good feeling I was crying because I got wet, which I LOATHE. My mother noted sensory issues (mostly tactile, my worst) all throughout my infancy. I started toe-walking as soon as I learned how to walk. We have home movies of me toe-walking and clips of my earliest special interests from age 18 months or so. We also have multiple videos of me from 18 months through age 4 yelling about getting the bright light from the camera out of my face. That is probably the first recorded sensory issue that I can undoubtedly say was a true sensory issue. I also was a "difficult" baby as far as temperament and intensity from the start. My mother says I never slept through the night until I was 4. By the time I was 4, I was a textbook "little professor" Aspie with NVLD visual-spatial deficits. But in short, I had many very early signs, and it's fun to go back and watch home movies now knowing about AS.

In hindsight about 50 years ago when was in the 6th grade. I was given a series of psych tests (Rohrschach, etc.), but then nothing was ever done. I became aware of my AS about two years ago and have been able to explain much of my past as result.

Those who have read my earlier responses/postings know this.
I lost my speech at Approx. 18 months after normal development. I did not talk again for 2 years. My mom says it was jealousy over my Sister's birth. Which is total nonsense. I am not sure she believes it either..

Sincerely,
Matthew