Losing Language

Post Reply New Topic

I know this is one of the primary flags for ASD... I'm just not sure what really qualifies as 'losing language' in an infant. My older son is almost 7 and was recently diagnosed with Aspergers. He spoke at around 7 or 8 months and increased his language exponentially from there on, having adult conversations by kindergarten. His little brother will be 1 year old in a few weeks, and he isn't really speaking yet. I would be less perplexed if he wasn't speaking period, but he was saying (his version of the word) dog when he was around 9 months old, and last month he was doing the typical 'dis' when pointing at things to say 'this' - but he is no longer doing either of those nor is he really doing mama or dada, and I can't detect any new words. He's mostly yelling and pointing at things he wants. He is very social, smiles, understands language, etc. But I know a baby can be all those thing and still be on the spectrum.

Ultimately, it does not matter to me whether he is or is not on the spectrum. But I wouldn't mind knowing one way or the other so I can stop watching for signs and use my energies to focus on his needs and early 'intervention' (I don't really like that term for autism) instead. Does anyone have any insights in terms of signs their infants showed? Even though I have an older son with AS, he never showed any language deficits so I don't really have a reference point.

Thanks

It is NOT a primary flaag for ASD! IN FACT, it is THE defining characteristic for CDD!! !! !! !!

http://www.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/autism/cdd.html

[quote[
The condition develops in children who have previously seemed perfectly normal. Typically language, interest in the social environment, and often toileting and self-care abilities are lost, and there may be a general loss of interest in the environment. The child usually comes to look very 'autistic', i.e., the clinical presentation (but not the history) is then typical of a child with autism.
[/quote]

BTW when they say it seems "typical of a child with autism.", they are talking about someone with LFA! Of course, someone with CDD, like LFA, COULD improve, but it is probably less likely.

Neither of my sons experienced any loss of language or language delays. Quite the opposite. Both spoke early and had/have astonishingly large vocabs.

And one of my sisters who is NT barely spoke until she was 3. My mom was so worried about her! She is now in her early 20's and is a radio broadcaster.

I looked up CDD, and the onset of it is usually between 2 and 10 yrs. of age. So, your son seems a little young for this. It is so hard to tell at this age. My son who is on the spectrum (diagnosed PDD-NOS/possible AS) began speaking at 10 mos. He was pronouncing big words and his vocabulary has continued to progress from there with no loss at all of language. However, when he was 2, we noticed that he was not using his words to necessarily communicate with us. He was just talking "at" us. With lots of speech therapy, this has improved quite a bit.

A friend of mine has a little girl that only had a few words at 14 mos. She was also not eating solid foods. She started taking her to a speech therapist to work on the eating issues. They realized her tongue was not moving properly in her mouth. oThey started working on the feeding issues, and her speech gradually started to improve. She is almost 2, and seems to be progressing just fine now. So, I think at this stage, it may be a little early to tell for you. However, since your older son is on the spectrum, I would keep my eye on it.

Your son is pointing and early too..that is a big positive that, it is a very important method of communication and shows social reciprocity and understanding. By contrast my 3.5yr old has never pointed or looked where I point.

Your son may have something as simple as hearing problems due to wax or something.

Thanks everyone. I am not concerned about CDD because my son is too young to be showing signs of that. However, my research shows that loss of language is one of the flags for autism (not in all cases, but in some). See http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/jour ... 1&SRETRY=0

I am going to discuss it with his pediatrician at his upcoming appointment, and if she is not concerned then I will let it go until and unless any more overt behaviours appear.