Autism.

Although this particular baby is too young to diagnose, I just feel at the moment that there is a trend to 'categorise' children before they have a real chance to develop. Thanks goodness that everyone is different, and whilst we must be aware that being 'different' is sometimes a sign that something is wrong, we should give a child's character to develop before jumping to conclusions. I am aware that the earlier a diagnosis is made the sooner help can be given, but it is a pity that parents, etc., have this worry . A long while ago (back in the 1950's) my boss had a son who was different - he loved the brightest of clothes and the times the sunset and sunrise were an obsession with him, as were the local bus time tables and routes all of which he could quote at will. It was his head-master who told his parents that he thought Geoffrey had a 'problem'! However he went on to hold down a job and did it very well. Locally we have a young autistic man who is a wizz with computers - he builds them, but finds it difficult to communicate with people.
Life with an autistic child is never going to be easy is it, but some people are becoming more aware of the condition, and perhaps this will lead to a better understanding of the difficulties parents have. Our son (56)is not autistic, but not speaking he has always had trouble telling us what is wrong or upsetting him and when he was younger would throw a tantrem for what appeared to be absolutely no reason at all - and almost certainly in the middle of Sainsbury's!

Hi haven't read every post in this thread, but I work with someone whose nickname is 'Mr Aspergers' - (he knows it and laughs it off) - he can be a bit peculiar (extremely pedantic, very rigid, likes things to be set out in an orderly fashion literally and figuratively and can't cope with change) but we all love him and he is brilliant at his job. I wonder sometimes whether all the advances in identifying and diagnosing certain conditions come with drawbacks as well as advantages. And I'm often reminded of the saying (I think it's African) that "it takes a village to raise a child". I think the point I am trying to make is that long before we knew so much about all these various conditions, people were accepted simply for being themselves and offbeat behaviour was accommodated because people were part of society anyway (I hope I'm making sense). But I do accept that these people wercould equally be rejected for the same reason. It's about balance isn't it.

wercould shd be could!

I think perhaps, and I am not sure about this, that people today have become a lot more touchy-feeley and expect others to emote more readily. I think we will all have known people who were a bit obsessive and a bit socially awkward and maybe today's society is harder for them than when people were more reserved.
I do think though that it is important to realise that there are many people whose autism is far, far worse than that. I can remember children in a school I used to visit for pupils with severe autism whose behaviour could be very distressing for everyone. The staff were wonderful, but it was very hard work. Their families need a lot of support and as Jess said, it doesn't help if people think they will all end up as some kind of genius.

I thank you all for your posts ! Very helpful

However , on reflection I have decided that is not really my affair .Hope that doesn"t sound harsh .

If DD wants to talk it over , fair enough , but I am going to keep my snout out . Think it for the best .

PS Yes I have seen rainmaker , excellent film

{smile]

Not possible to diagnose a baby of three months. A hearing test at about 9 months will rule out deafness which would be one reason a baby does not react to parent's voice.My GD is afraid of bangs and unusual noises, she has a problem with hand dryers in the ladies, she runs and hides with her hands over ears. She climbs on my knee to hide if someone brings out the portable vacuum cleaner or if the washer starts spinning. She does not have autism because in every other respect she is perfectly normal.

People with Asperger's Syndrome often need a strict routine and cannot cope with plans being changed. They can become obsessive and can be brutally honest and lacking in tact. My very clever grandson, who has an MSc, has never been diagnosed, but has all these traits.

I have noticed that many of the boys/young men who appear on Countdown appear to have poor communication skills, rarely smile and do not respond to banter from the quiz-master. ( Few girls apply, apparently.)

I'd noticed this about some of the young men on Countdown - some of the winners too.

mamie interesting point about the emoting - how would that apply to say Italy, I wonder - where emoting has always been a national sport (I had an Italian stepmum growing up). My other reference is the gorgeous Inspector Montalbano of course! What are the diagnostic figures like for 'on the autism spectrum' in other European countries, anyone know?

My half Spanish grandson has been diagnosed in Spain. He has seen psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists and paediatricians and has had a brain scan. He has therapy from a local association which they pay for; there is very little state support and of course there is less and less money. I gather that the rate of diagnosis is increasing there, but it was probably a long way behind the UK. As I said before, it is the triad of impairment that is the biggest indicator; communication difficulties, social interaction problems and repetitive behaviour.

mamie that's interesting (only just got back to this thread now) - the 'triad of impairment'. I don't know much about autism really, but am interested especially since my good friends daughter has had a child that seems to have 'something not quite right'. I read such a touching book some years ago on the subject of bringing up a difficult child, called Raising Blaze booksiloved.com/10/Raising_Blaze.html but because I had even less knowledge at that time, didn't really grasp the extent of the problem. Must reread it. The author was such a courageous young single mother.

... friend's daughter (oh the shame)

Most of the discussion in the press is about Asperger's and "bright but quirky", but that is only a small part of the spectrum. Severely autistic children often don't speak and are only capable of minimal communication. Head banging, pulling their own hair, screaming and sounds of distress are common. It is so hard for parents and families and I am not sure that they always get the support they need from society at large.

Yes things are pretty tough in some regions of Spain aren't they mamie