Should I have my son tested for behavioural issues?

[sillywitch]

Please can I ask some advice? I have become aware of the following about my son, who is 7:

• He struggles to follow instructions (e.g. his teacher told me if he is told to write a story, he will write it upside down and doesn't seem to understand that this deviates from the original request).
  
• He is not interested in socialising
  
• He rarely joins group activities
  
• He has obsessions and will literally talk about that one thing all day, every day until the interest wanes (can be many months). A lot of parents say their children are the same, but I've seen and spoken to those children and it's just not on the same level.
  
• He is always mild mannered but very rarely will get wildly upset over something small and be quite hysterical
  
• He will happily wander the playground by himself at lunchtime, with no interest in other children (he has two friends, at all, which has been the case for the last three years).
  
• He gets very irritated when people do things 'wrong', i.e. don't follow rules, sing songs in a silly voice etc.
  

He is a lovely boy and has never been a problem. But the teachers get very exasperated by him but he doesn't seem to really 'get' why (for not following instructions etc). I'm just a bit concerned about him. I always just assumed he had his head in the clouds but now I'm wondering whether I should perhaps just get him checked for something? Or keep an eye on this and see if it becomes a problem for him?

[youarenotkiddingme]

I'd certainly approach the GP with this list and say it's affecting his education etc and you want an paediatric opinion.

Sounds very similar to my ds who does have a diagnosis. The wheels fell off for him at 8yo when expectation increased more and at 7 children become less egotistical so his ability to socialise with his peers became harder.

[Fishfacemcgee]

Based on your description I would approach your gp for a referral for an assessment for autism spectrum disorder. It’s almost always better to get a good quality assessment sooner rather than later for ASD as the later a diagnosis is made, usually the harder things have got for the child without the right support at school (and home). Of course, the assessment may rule it out or suggest something different, in which case that’s also useful to know sooner rather than later. Waiting lists can be long so I would follow your instincts if you think something may be underlying your son’s difficulties. Good luck x

[HoofWankingSpangleCunt]

Sounds a lot like he should be tested for an ASD. I have a DS who was remarkably similiar but DS has sensory issues too. Yy to wheels falling off at 8 too . That happened to us. Coupled with a trauma he suffered his behaviour meant that school and GP could no brush us off.
My advice would be to get him tested sooner rather than later. It takes a long time.

[HoofWankingSpangleCunt]

He sounds lovely, your DS, by the way

[sillywitch]

Sorry I missed these responses! That's really interesting as I was expecting a unanimous 'all kids are different' response. I think I'm going to chat with the teacher but given the way the teacher meeting went, I'm not sure it's going to change much. The other things I thought of is that he is noise sensitive and also extremely affectionate towards me - he will quite often tell me he loves me four times a day and needs a lot of cuddles. Both of which also came up in question sets online.

Thanks for your help - it's reassuring that I'm not barking up the wrong tree.

And thanks, Hoof, I think so too. :)