Speech and Language assessment

[ButterfliesAndStars]

Hi my DS is 2 years and 3 months. Today we had his first speech and language session (the initial one) it took just under an hour and it included family history, my concerns and thoughts, what he is like at home etc and she played with him (well, attempted to) but he was so busy, as usual, she found it really difficult to assess him.

My biggest worry is ASD. My partner has Aspergers, as does his brother and nephew. However our DS doesn’t really fit the vast majority of characteristics for ASD. Before his dad was diagnosed with Autism, at 3 years old he was diagnosed with Semantic Pragmatic Disorder (language disorder) so there may also be a chance he has a language disorder rather than an ASD diagnosis.

I’m worried, and fearful though. I’m scared stiff that they think I’ve delayed him, that I haven’t done enough with him, talked to him etc.. when I have, since he was born I’ve talked to him, read to him, played with toys with him etc. I’m just scared they’ll think he’s been neglected when this absolutely isn’t the case. I feel like I’ve failed as a parent.

Has anyone else been in this situation or felt like this? I’m really upset over it :(

Thanks in advance. X

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Please don’t worry about being judged. Both of mine have had SLt and in my experience they are highly educated professionals who can tell how you are as a family almost straightaway. I did everything you did and my DC2 still didn’t talk until they were 3.

Has your DD been referred for tests to rule out ASD?

[ButterfliesAndStars]

Thank you for your reply. I’m just extremely worried because I didn’t know what to expect and she could
probably sense that I was anxious also. It’s my biggest fear you see, I was raised by my grandparents and that’s because both of my parents were, let’s say, useless parents. I know I’m nothing like them But the fear is still there.

The SLT said that she’s putting my son down for Healthcare Support Worker to do some sessions with him and also will assess how he interacts with us and vice versa, she did say nothing really jumps out to state he’s on the spectrum but this won’t be until September as the list is so long. Obviously that’s 3+ months away and I’m hoping he comes on leaps and bounds by then!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I think you may be worrying unnecessarily on this one OP. It sounds as though you had a tough start but the SLT will see that you have your LOs best interests at heart. For a start you’re motivated enough about his welfare to get him to a SLT

Hace you thought of doing the MChat to see if he does need assessing for ASD? I’m not sugg3tong he has it, but it might be worth doing the test for your own peace of mind