Aspies For Freedom

I don't know a lot about autism, I've been exposed to it about as much as most of the general public. My girlfriend had a brother who is in the middle of being diagnosed with a medical problem. At present they believe he has autism but it isn't definite. He's 9 years old and the only problem I have seen him have is that he has a dysfunctional hand and foot.

Now I don't want to sound ignorant (in truth I am, I don't know a lot about this condition) but I was under the impression that someone with autism had problems with speech. I've had conversations with him that seemed completly normal and other then the hand and foot, I wouldn't know he had any problems. Is there mild autism that just causes some motor control issues and maybe some developmental issues that are not immediatly apparent.

I know I'm not a parent, but I figured this is the closest section here to what my question is. Thank you for any help you can give me.

Actual speech may not be affected at all.
I'm not sure what you mean about his hand and foot, have they mentioned dyspraxia? http://aspiesforfreedom.com/wiki/index.p...=Dyspraxia

It appeared as if his right hand and left foot were paralysed, but it wasn't full paralysis. He just has them curved inwards and limp when he's not using them. It does remind me of some of the images I've seen of autistic children, but it's possible that it is caused by another dissorder. How does a doctor diagnose someone with autism if they don't have the more obvious symptomes? What I mean is what are the defining characteristics which would differentiate it from other dissorders.

Hi, have a look at -
http://aspiesforfreedom.com/wiki/index.php?title=Autism

and -
http://aspiesforfreedom.com/wiki/index.p...s_Syndrome

that gives you a lot of information of diagnosing. :smile: