Living with Autism

Hello everyone. My name is Amy, and I am a preschool teacher. I have a 3 year old boy in my class, that has some of the symptoms of Autism but his mom thinks he is normal. I would like some advice on what I should do.

First off I’ll list some actions, and symptoms.
This boy I’ll call him James (not real name) is a sweet boy, and fairly well behaved.

James plays by himself almost all of the time. All of the other children even the younger ones are interacting with others, except for James. He flaps his arms almost all of the time, especially when he is excited about something. His speech is very impaired. He can say some words I recognize, but most of it is garbled and not understandable. He is very smart, and remembers things better than a lot of the other children. If something has been repeated to him a few times he remembers it, and will repeat it to you as he heard it from you.

He will say things repeatedly until I and others can’t stand it. He doesn’t seem to like making eye contact. He drools all the time, and I can’t get him to stop. He will not potty train, and believe me I have tried to get him to go. He will hold it all day and not go at all sometimes. He acts like he doesn’t hear me even when I say things repeatedly to him.

He will sit in the same spot for the whole playtime with the same toy, but not play. It is almost like he is in his own little world staring into outer space. But if you touch his toy he will scream and whine.

He seems to walk and run slower, and not as confidently as all the other children, but his legs are fine (not deformed or anything). He has a harder time holding things than the other children.

I am concerned for James, because if he does have autism he could be getting help from professionals.

Should I let the mom know of my concerns, or do nothing, and let this mom live in blinded bliss.
(I am a little confused as to how she doesn’t see a problem. She has a normal 9 year old son, but either refuses or doesn’t notice all these problems)

Please let me know what you think I should do.

Amy