Hi all. I need to share my thoughts as I don't really have anyone to talk to about this. I would really appreciate some advice.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon feeling very upset as I am starting to wonder if my DS is showing signs of ASD. I have listed some things down. I am sorry that it is long. I suppose I am writing my thoughts down. I don't know if I should speak to the GP or wait a few months. Here are some of his traits:
- Obsessed with anything transport related and things that spin. Whilst he dips in and out of other activities at home, he will mostly line his cars up. He has developed a knack for spotting classic cars on the road and distinguish a hybrid bus from a hydrogen one :0)
- He seems very sensitive to sounds and smells. They don't upset him but he will point them out.
- Acutely aware of tiny details or patterns that are out of place e.g. he was looking at the back of a bus when it drove off and asked me what was wrong with it. I didn't know what he was talking about until he explained that the bus number at the back was slanted. He notices cars that are not aligned with kerb and if he sees a wheel plate that is dirty/cracked, he will check the other 3 to see if they are the same.
- Freaks out if I try to engage him in any group activity. I enrolled him in gymnastics and he clung to me and cried. I gave that up. I tried another activity but his response got worse. He could not bear the thought of me even going to the toilet for a few minutes. I have been a SAHM since he was born and so maybe this is the reason. He attends nursery in the mornings and whilst he cried at the start of the new term, he seems happy when I collect him.
- Will not initiate play and is totally disinterested in playing with other children. I have asked his nursery teacher to keep an eye on his social interactions.
-Very resistant to sharing and will snatch toys from others. He doesn't seem to give other kids personal space. I get worried when he is around other kids as will snatch their toy or pinch them.
-His nursery teacher said that he isn't choosing his activities at nursery independently. I think he is difficult to engage if it something he doesn't want to do. Runs off when not interested.
- When he is engaged in an activity at home that he likes, he can focus for an hour.
-He seems to repeating an odd behaviour - kicking the wheel of cars. I don't know if this is because he has seen us do it to check wheel pressure but he goes up to cars on the street and kicks their wheels. I have constantly warned him not to do it.
- Very cautious - won't go on small rides, swings, slides, climbing frames.
- Strong willed and minded about likes and dislikes.
- Amazing speech and vocal. Sounds like a little adult. Very echolalic - was saying psychometric test perfectly at 18 months.
-Thinks very deeply about things - death, plane crashes.
-Good imagination. My DD passed away before he was born. He talks about her as if he has an actual relationship with her - says he misses her.
-Loves facts.
- Very logical and good at abstract thought - can see pictures in random objects e.g. he likened some cracks in a wall to a thunderstorm.
-Sleeps and eats well.
-Amazingly confident once he opens up.
-Can read emotions
- No problem with eye contact
-No problem with fine or gross motor skills
-Very strong memory for things that happened in the distant past - again, these are usually tiny details.
-Doesn't tantrum too much unless tired or hungry.
I know that many of his traits might not be ASD related but I just feel so worried about the things that do concern me for some reason. I guess I would like know at what point you realised that your child was showing signs of ASD?
Many thanks.