ASD or speech delay? (again - sorry...)

[sc134]

Hello everybody, I've been reading mumsnet for a while but this is the first time I write. My son, who's almost 3, has been referred to a CDC, and has seen the SLT at nursery this week. She's now coming for a home visit in 2 weeks, and I'm really worried. I have three questions for all of you who have been there already, or perhaps like me are waiting for a verdict (sorry, assessment): 1) what happens if when observed your child does none, or few, of the things that he usually does? Does the SLT have to trust the parents on what he is normally like, or is she entitled to override them? 2) do you know to what extent, if any, bilingualism is taken into account? (I'm Italian) 3) if your instinct told you it's a speech delay, perhaps because of the two languages and because he's still settling into nursery, would you trust your instinct about your own child, or trust the professional who has seen many such cases before? Thank you, sorry it's a long post

[SnowlightMcKenzie]

sc134 Gosh you post sounds full of worry.

My son is 2yrs and 3 months and we are in pretty much exactly the same position.

Firstly, the reason the SLT wants to see you at home is to be able to talk to you in a more relaxed setting and to give your DS an opportunity to act how he would in his home environment. It could be some of his perceived difficulties are being 'exaggerated' by his nursery environment.

1. She will be very interested in anything you say an regardless of how he behaves she will believe you. You're the expert on his behaviour after all. The majority of the assessment will probably be asking you questions.
   
   
2. Bilingualism is a major factor in speech delay (not that this is bad)
   
   
3. Autism is not just speech delay. To be honest I would think it more likely that the SLT and CDC will concentrate more on finding evidence for diagnosing as 'normal', because the alternative requires funding. IME it is far more likely your ds will come of of it 'normal' wrongly, than with 'speech delay' or 'autism' wrongly.
   
   Finally, if it turns out your child IS special, celebrate the fact and take up every opportunity of 1:1 attention, groups etc. Unique people can do very very well in life as they aren't competing in the same race as the majority.

[sc134]

Thanks so much, that helps. First of all, I hope all goes well with your son. You're right that if it turns out that a child has ASD, then at least they'll get the help they need. Families manage and flourish, as I can see from other, encouraging, posts! I like your point 3 - it's the cynical kind of reasoning I usually go for .
It's funny how views about development and consequently ASD differ across Europe. In Italy they seem to focus a lot on the physical side of things (does he drink enough milk, that sort of thing), but you don't really hear of speech or social development milestones until the child is about 4, so it's all a bit bewildering.

[TheyCallMePeachy]

you need to find Moondog on here: she's a speech therapist who specialises in bilinguals. If you put a calfor her on the specialneeds section you might find her (though she may be away for ahlf term,she'll see it when she gets abck).

My son has just received a DX of asd after being maybe-maybe SLD for several years: we knew full well what the answer was as we have another child with ASD anyway, but the proessionals take a loooong time toclarify things and make certain of their dx.

If you want a very basic description of the spectrum, google for national autistic society triad of impairments- that's as basic, comprehensible and sensible as you'll find,although asd can have subtleties you would never imagine.

Do come and post on the SN section-lots of mums on there with kids with speech delays.

[SnowlightMcKenzie]

Thanks. We've done the SLT, have been referred to CDC and awaiting an appointment.

He is on the SLT waiting list for 1:1 sessions initially and then some group sessions. IMO even if there is nothing at all wrong with him, such dedicated language development sessions can only be a good thing can't they?

I have had a detailed explanation of how the CDC appointment will go.

Apparently there will be a doctor, me, and two 'assistants'. The assistants will play with my DS whilst the doctor asks me questions. It is very thorough and apparently quite amazing what they assess and how they assess. You will get a report detailing different abilities with an 'age' score next to each of them. This can be either older or younger than your DS's actual age.

Please don't worry. I personally love the idea of my DS getting such a detailed report of his development. No two children are the same and it gives me an idea of his strenghts and weaknesses which will help me do activities with him that both help his weaknesses and encourage his strengths. What parent wouldn't jump at the offer of that kind of information or insight.

I think perhaps that your worries stem from the 'system' and lables interfering with your son, but (cynical again) unless your child is at risk (on the child protection register) you usually have to fight for your rights and acknowledgement wrt these things, not fight against them iyswim.

Your child won't be labelled or 'helped' without your prior agreement (and very often strongly worded letter).

hth
(I used to work within childrens services)

[TheyCallMePeachy]

CDC'sdo avry between trusts though starlight: here each appointment is on a separate occasion often a while apart- a quick survey shows the variation is massive.

I do think your attitude to it is wonderful btw

[sc134]

Thank you thank you thank you, all of you. I do feel so much better, and readier to take what comes. I'm learning a lot more 'words' too: IME, IMO, HTH (yes, it does!) It's such fun! I wonder if in 100 years they'll assess children for knowledge of those too . And I'll keep an eye out for Moondog

[SnowlightMcKenzie]

Oh thanks Peachy. This is a fairly new world to me, so I'm learning.

Good luck sc134 and welcome to MN

[neolara]

I used to be an educational psychologist in my pre-child days, and I would ALWAYS listen to what the parents would say. Pre-schoolers would can be very inconsistent when tested and can behave very differently under unusual circumstances (such as when strangers come to their house and ask them to do funny tests). Anyone who is experienced in assessing young children will know this.

[sc134]

Sorry I forgot to thank neolara - thank you! I guess I'm just being a little paranoid.
A lot of the mums here say that they had thought there was something going on with their kids before the HV or the nursery alerted them. Part of my headache is that, unless the HV had referred us, I wouldn't have thought there was a problem. Now I don't know whether I should trust my instinct, or whether I'm simply in denial (not a river in Egypt ).
But, as I said, whichever way it turns, it's being a real education about ASD - even if DS turns out NT (whatever that means), at least I'll have learnt something, and hopefully not turn into one of those a-hole mums at the schoolgate, all worried that their perfect children may come in contact with 'special' ones (as I find so often described in the Special Needs threads)