Is it possible that a child that has already been screened for autism could be wrongly diagnosed? My very good friend has a 4 year old boy who is highly intelligent (reads, knows books by memory, etc.) but has low social, language, and motor skills (compared to his peers). He was not able to potty train until he was given a visual guide from one of his teachers (images on the steps to go to the bathroom). He is also set on his routines (i.e. mom has to sing the same song and always use the same bib so that he eats the only kind of cereal he'll eat), and tends to sing very loud in social settings. He shows no interest in playing pretend and is not stimulated by children a little older than he. He receives language therapy and his parents know they need to help him with social interaction, but no other type of treatment.
Are these symptoms "normal" for a child who is highly intelligent? Should he be re-screened or should parents trust the diagnosis given to them by their school system?
Thanks for your reply. Others close to their family are concerned as well as we have discussed it among ourselves (which makes us feel very guilty). Each of us individually have considered Autism as a possibility, even though none of us know much about it. We don't know if and how we should approach our friends. They are content with what the teachers and school psychologist has told them, and it seems they don't think they need a second opinion. Should we get involved? Please, any advise is greatly appreciated.
I am curious what others would say. I think it would be worth taking the child to a developmental pediatrician. Even if the child does not have autism, maybe the pediatrician can give some suggestions for managing the behavior issues.
PWSMom