Autism?????

my godson has chewed chunks of wood out of his bunk bed he is always giving me hugs and telling me he loves me, he has a very destuctive streak but not towards people, he destroys things that are not his. he has taking the edge of a blanket off, chewed the nose off of my sons toys, he makes up wild stories. he tells me that he can't control himself. he is bright but he doesn't want to try to do anything for himself. he is always telling me he can't. he is 8 years old and can barely tie his shoes. could he be autistic???

CHAT Section A - Questions for Parents

Yes or No?


____ 1. Does your child enjoy being swung, bounced on your knee, etc.?
____ 2. Does your child take an interest in other children?
____ 3. Does your child like climbing on things, such as up/on chairs?
____ 4. Does your child enjoy playing peek-a-boo / hide & seek?
____ *5. Pretend Play (PP): Does your child ever pretend, for example, to make a cup of tea using a toy cup and teapot, or pretend other things (pouring juice)?
____ 6. Does your child ever use his or her index finger to point, to ask for something?
____ *7. Protodeclarative Pointing (PDP): Does your child ever use his or her index finger to point, to indicate interest in something?
____ 8. Can your child play properly with small toys (e.g. cars or blocks) without just mouthing, fiddling, or dropping them?
____ 9. Does your child ever bring objects over to you (parent), to show you something?
* Indicates critical question most indicative of autistic characteristics



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CHAT Section B - Pediatrician鈥檚 Questions / Observations

Yes or No?


____ i. Eye Contact: During the appointment, has the child made eye contact with you?
____ *ii. Gaze monitoring (GM): Get the child's attention, then point across the room at an interesting object and say, "Oh Look! There鈥檚 a (name of a toy)!" Watch the child鈥檚 face. Does the child look across to see what you are pointing at? (To record a YES, make sure the child does not just look at your hand, but at the object you are pointing at).
____ *iii. Pretend Play (PP): Get the child's attention, then give the child a miniature toy cup and teapot and say, "Can you make a cup of tea?" Does the child pretend to pour out tea and drink it? (If you can elicit an example of pretending in some other game, score a YES on this item).
____ *iv. Protodeclarative Pointing (PDP): Say to the child, "Where鈥檚 the light?" or "Show me the light." Does the child point with their index finger at the light? (Repeat this with, "Where鈥檚 the bear?" or some other unreachable object if the child does not understand the word light. To record a YES on this item, the child must have looked up at your face around the time of pointing).
____ v. Block Tower: Can the child build a tower of blocks? (If so how many?)
* Indicates critical question most indicative of autistic characteristics

People with Autism often don't want to communicate or join in the outside world.
He has small motor skills problem- writing- I wonder if he can throw or catch a ball or ride a bike ?[ large motor skills ]
Why hasn't the school investigated this yet ?
Take him to the doctor asap and then see what type of services the school is offering.
Something is not quite right.
Good luck.

Yes, I think so because my brother is autistic and he is 11 years old and still cant tie his shoes. He also make up wild stories and he sometimes says he cant. But all autistic children/people are different individuals. You can go to someone to see if he is.

It doesn't sound like he is. Autism typically affects a persons ability to be social. You definately don't want to get an internet label because you won't really feel relief until a doctor gives you a reason.
You may want to research more on emotional disorders. I know you love him very much and want to get to the bottom of this so you can help him and find ways to keep him from doing these things.
Ask yourself why he does it. is it at times when he is asked to do something he doesn't want to do? Does he do it for attention, or escape? Once you figure that out then at first let him have that attention or escape to calm him down, then talk with him and teach him something new he could do. He may need that oral stimulation so find things that are okay for him to chew on and teache him to go after those when he is upset.

No. I work for DMR (Department of Mental Retardation) and I would say that he does not have autism. Autistic children usually lack in social skills (not being able to hug you or say i love you) and they may also have sensory issues (chewing these things would hurt him!) I wouldn't be worried about autism but you may want to look into some behavioral disorders. Maybe he has ODD (Oppisitional Defiance Disorder). It would not be clear unless you take him to a doctor or a psychiatrist.

He might. My little brother is autistic, but has a light case. He repeats things he hears, and is little destructive. He's also quite sensitive. He doesn't like trying things that are new, so he basically likes bread, apples and pop. He's better than he was before and we're very proud. If you suspect your godson is autistic, you should have him see someone. Was he not talking very much as a young child? Maybe not making friends? My brother has MANY stuffed animals, and close to about two friends. We help him out and unless you sit down and talk with him, you'd never know about it. I can tell you're very worried, so like I said before, have him go see someone. The earlier the better!

I really hope it's nothing bad! Best wishes!

Hi, my younger brother was diagnosed with autism when he was 3. He is now nearly 10. It doesn't sound like your Godson has autism. It sounds like he may have ADD/ ADHD (Attention Deficite Disorder/ Attention Deficite Hyperactivity Disorder). I would advise you to research the above before you start thinking about autism.

What state in their right mind would have a department called DMR (Department of Mental Retardation)?

The best thing you can do for your grandson is to talk to your doctor about his problems and they can refer him to be tested. There are several tests they can do on him to see if he might be in the Autism Spectrum.