Playdate mom worries about toddler
Dear Amy: I am the parent of a 2 year old, and I have regular playdates with several other moms and their toddlers.
One of these friends has a toddler, "Jimmy," who seems to exhibit many of the early signs of being on the autism spectrum.
The other moms and I have wondered for many months if Jimmy's parents will have him tested, but so far they have not.
We have been hesitant to bring up the subject with Jimmy's mom for fear of how she might perceive any suggestion that something could be "wrong" with her son. But as he grows older and continues to exhibit signs, we worry that he may not get the early intervention that can be so helpful for kids on the spectrum.
The only time the subject came up naturally in conversation was when his mom said that at Jimmy's two-year doctor's checkup, they were told his language development was borderline, but that they (his parents) do not believe it's a problem.
I want to trust that his parents' intuition will guide them correctly, but I also worry that his doctor may not be performing the same autism screenings that ours does, and that his parents are not aware that his differences from other children could be a sign of autism.
Should I tell my friend my concerns about her son?
Or is this none of my business?
-- Concerned Mom
Dear Concerned: Parents learn from other parents, and without gentle, nonjudgmental and generous guidance from these parents, we are all on our own to navigate the tricky travails of raising a child.
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