Advice re Autism

[user1467117083]

Hi

I wonder if anyone could give me any advice. Last week we went to see a community paediatrician about my DS aged 2 and a half. He is not saying any words and just babbling; he has an EYFS teacher coming to the home of which he has had two sessions so far. He has seen a Speech therapist.

The consultation with the community paediatrician went as follows. We entered the room he took one look and asked me if he says any words, I said no, and then he asked about eye contact which he does give and within the first few minutes of the consultation said chances are my DS is autistic, and also ADHD, and he will have to go to a special school. I could not believe the Dr was so quick in dropping this on us. He has given us a GARS – 2 questionnaire to complete as well as a copy for the nursery to complete.

Now I know there is an issue as he is not talking or following instructions (i.e. put shoes on, etc..)

He is getting funding for 15 hours at preschool starting in September and will continue to work with the EYFS teacher at home.

I would like to send him to a mainstream school, but want to know that if he ends up getting an EHCP, which states that he needs a special school, can I still send him to our local mainstream school? Also is it too soon at 2.5 yrs to be looking at getting him a statement?

Would a mainstream school say that they cannot support him as he has a statement which says he needs specialist provision? At the moment he does not say any words, but he is social and joins in at nursery with the other kids. Also, he is not toilet trained yet.

Sorry for all the questions, just really stressed out at the moment.

[BackforGood]

It won't say on the EHC Plan that he needs Special, if you don't want it.
You are involved in the process of writing the EHC Plan, alongside the professionals.
In our authority, there are nowhere near enough special school places for the parents who want it, the authority are delighted if a parent opts for mainstream.
2.5 is young to be applying for an EHC Plan, here. There will no doubt be others along who will tell you to apply straight away, but, presuming he won't be going to Reception until Sept 18, there's no rush, and it will probably be a better document once he's been at Nursery for a while and had more experience of being with other children.
However, to reiterate your main concern, No, nobody can 'make' him go to special.
That said, next year, when he is that bit older, it's worth starting to visit different schools, and to keep an open mind. Don't decide 'special' or 'mainstream', but look at each individual school and how your dc would be supported there.

[user1467117083]

Hi Backforgood many thanks for your reply. So if he was to get an EHC now, will this plan then be revisited and change before he is ready to attend school in Sept 2018 (or are the plans then set in stone?)

I was thinking maybe the EHC will get him more support at pre school which he will start in Sept 16 (3 hours per day-everyday)

[BackforGood]

Yes. Once written, the EHC plans have to be reviewed annually (Statments for u5s used to be reviewed every 6 months - not 100% sure about EHCs - I don't know anyone who has had one young enough for that to occur - but definitely annually).
If you start the process now, it won't be in place by Sept 16 (or did you mean Sept 17?). However, yes, a nursery can benefit from funding if a child has an EHC plan in place.
I don't know much about the process if a dc isn't already being supported by professionals - how needs are evidenced, etc. Lots of experts on the sp needs boards though so someone will prob be along to help soon

[Bertieboo1]

We are in the same position with our 2.5 son though we are waiting for our paediatrician appointment and suspect he is autistic. He goes to nursery and loves it though he doesn't massively interact with the other children and we would also want him to go to a 'normal' school. Interesting about the echp starting at this age - I didn't realise this and will ask about it at our appointment.

[Bertieboo1]

Sorry meant to say mainstream school, couldn't think of the word

[Hopeless432]

My DS had no speech at 4. We lived abroad so were able to delay his schooling until 6. He had no language whatsoever - he couldn't follow any instructions. By 6 (and really not until then) he was fluent. He now is in a good prep and has no learning difficulties. His lack of speech caused so much heartache & stress during his toddler years. Sometimes they do just need time. I am baffled as to why he took so long to talk. Because of the benefits of early intervention there is a huge pressure to have a child who is not speaking diagnosed with something. In our case the "delayed speech" was a stand alone condition which eventually came on its own.

[JamMac]

Hi
That sounds strange!
My son has ASD. The standard test for determining if your son has autism is the administration of the ADOS and your local child development centre can do one. If your son exhibits the triad of impairments characteristic of autism, start treatment immediately whilst awaiting diagnosis!!! This is because early treatment can result in great results -- ie, your child becoming indistinguishable from his peers. ABA is the gold standard for autism treatment. The best providers in the UK, in my opinion are Autism Partnership and UK YAP. They can guide you further. Best of luck to you.

[giraffesarefab]

My son sounds very familiar to yours, we got our official diagnosis when he was 3.10, he's nearly 5 now. Pm me you would like any advice x

[user1467117083]

Thank for your replies guys..It does give me some hope!

[pandyandy1]

Hi there.

Just wanted to share something positive! Although my son is currently on the autism assessment waiting list, at 2.5 he said only a handful of words and what he did say sounded strange. I thought at that point he was never going to acquire his speech! Now at 3.9, although my son's speech and understanding are not where they should bebe and he receives support... he is talking!!!
In fact some of the things he says are so witty! Recently he had been playing in the soil and it looked awful in his very blonde hair. I said 'let's get this out of your hair before we go in (to see friends) dirty boy!' and I began to rub his head. He replied 'I not care DIRTY GIRL!' as he cheekily batted my hand away and ran on in anyway.

[Vonnie2016]

Thank you for posting this OP, I am on similar situation with my DS 3.5 years.
And was just about to ask the same question.
Great that he is talking my sons first sentence at about 2.5 was "oh my God! Cake!" Good luck with everything.

[Lovemylittlebear]

You have a legal right to send your son to a mainstream school with support and the EHCP should specify the level of support required. If it is successful the the plan gets reviewed regularly. If the school feel they cannot meet his needs then that would get discussed at a review typically. If you feel you are being pushed into placing your child in a school that is not your preference you can get specialist legal support to help advocate for you. There is also IPSEA in England and SNAP in Wales. Take a look at the verbal behaviour approach for children with autism (early intervention). Mary barberas book is nice as she is first and foremost a parent of a child with autism and then also a professional. All the best

[Sarahlou456]

My DS didn't speak properly until he was about 7, was diagnosed as being on the Autistic spectrum around age 3. Was obsessional about age appropriate things (cars, animals), had poor eye contact and terrible tantrums. I tried unsuccessfully to get him into a speech unit so he went to main stream school. I was told he would 'hopefully' be independent when he was older.

Now 13, speaks beautifully, is sociable, excellent eye contact, displays no autistic traits at all, popular, sporty, funny kid. Is at the lower end of normal academically but he tries his best and we support him in every way possible. We can't all be top of the class after all. Was recently seen by an educational physiologist, the report said "it is no longer helpful to regard (name) as being on the Autistic Spectrum"

All children develop at different rates, there is every possibility your son is not on the autistic spectrum at all.

[Hopeless432]

Sarahlou, l am fascinated by your story. What a dramatic turnaround ! In the rush for early intervention how many children are incorrectly diagnosed l wonder?