Signs of autism-missed?

[Consufed456]

Bit of a random thread but just wanted some opinions on what others think.
My DS is 12 now and in the year or so I've been on mumsnet I keep reading things that could explain some of his behaviour, that I've just thought of as quirky /his personality.

1. Finger posturing, never realised this was a thing, he did it on and off years ago but hasn't done it for a good 5 years or so.
2. He used to spin the wheels on his cars alot, which I realise is normal toddler behaviour so that in itself never bothered me.
3. Always had an issue with personal space, always standing/walking to close to me and does it with his friends too.
4. When I used to take him to the park if there were people there he didn't want to go play but if it was empty he'd happily go in.
5. Always had an issue with textures, mostly food but he hated the feel of sand/grass on his feet as a baby. He won't eat jelly or things with a gooey centre, doesn't like food touching e.g spaghetti hoops touching chips and has to have it in a separate bowl. He's still a fussy eater now.
6. He has to have specific instructions to do anything, if I say go get ready for school he has no clue what to do so I have to say specifically go brush your teeth, brush hair get dressed etc.

I think that's all but I may think of more, nobody has ever mentioned anything and he has a big group of friends and is sociable, like alot of parents I worried about autism when he was younger but he hasn't hit any major red flags so am I imagining things?

[tempnamechange98765]

Hi there, I'm sort of going through something similar with my DS but he's a lot younger - 3 and a half.

Bottom line is, I think, is your son struggling at all? If not, I say let him be. There's a lot of scrutiny on neuro conditions these days, which for people who need extra support is a really good thing. Keep an eye on him as he gets older, and if he needs any extra support you can try and address it then (the waiting lists are long, saying that, but there's not much you can do if he's not having any difficulties).

[Consufed456]

Thank you for your reply 🙂
He doesn't struggle at all which is why I've never gone after a diagnosis, school is fine and no concerns there, every parents evening its mentioned that they'd like him to participate in the class more as he prefers to stay quiet and doesn't willingly raise his hand to give answers etc but I was much the same and figured he was just taking after me for that.
I don't feel as though he needs a diagnosis right now but from things I read on here about adults who have come to realise they are autistic in later life I wonder if things would be different for them if they'd known sooner. I think as you say it's best to observe things and just keep an eye for now.
I hope things work out for you and your son x

[AladdinMum]

Autism is a social communication disorder, so not a social disorder (autistic children can and are very socially motivated). Some of the things you mentioned can be linked to autism but unless there is serious deficits with social communication then autism would not be diagnosed. The point you raise about personal space would be classified as social communication, but in itself I do not feel that it would be enough. Other examples of deficits in social communication would include things like unable to connect emotionally to peers (i.e. step into their shoes) so unable to sympathize for example, or unable to read the social cues/unwritten rules needed to form relationships, struggling to understand game rules (or understand the point of the game) when playing in a group, etc.

[diddlediddle]

The thjngs you mention could possibly be signs of asd but to be honest none of them are screaming it at me. If he has a big group of friends and doesn't seem to struggle socially at all then it is unlikely he has autism. If you notice this starts to become an issue (sometimes it can become more obvious at secondary school) then see your GP for a referral.