Severely autistic symptoms in early years

[Ggift]

What is severely autistic means? Does a child shows symptoms in early years. My two year old son could only say few words when pointed out in picture books. Otherwise he won't speak, and never ask for anything. He won't play with other kids as well. I am asking this to keep my expectations low and prepared for future. Sorry to post this question, but I have no other place to get answers.

[MrsMaiselsMuff]

This is your third thread asking the same thing.

Has your child been referred for assessment, what has the health visitor said?

[Ggift]

Oh sorry, i posted it twice, I didn't notice. My son has been referred for assessment by gp. HV did look at him and advised few things to follow till assessment. He fall much behind in all areas as per HV, said he really need quick help. Advice was to keep my expectations low. I didn't understand what does it means. I want to stay positive, but all these are bothering me much. Now trying to understand from others experience, where to keep my hopes.

[LunaLilly]

I am very surprised and shocked that the health visitor told you to keep your expectations low. I am a speech and language therapist and work with many children at two years who don't have any language. This doesn't mean that they won't develop language and many children will develop language or some form of communication with the right support. At two, your child should have their two year old check with the health visitor. If your child isn't talking and has difficulty with social interaction at this check, the health visitor should refer your child to a speech and language therapist and possibly a paediatrician. You can also ask your gp to make the referal or in some areas you may be able to refer yourself by calling your local speech therapy team and asking what the process is. I hope you get some help xx

[user1333796]

All autistic children are different, many children who do not have autism are speaking little at 2, including my own son who is now 3 and speaks well. Do you currently live in the UK? I notice English isn't your first language, and wonder if your son is being raised bi-lingual? If so, this could be a reason for behind average language development.

With 'severe' autism or level 3 autism, diagnosable as young as 2, I would expect to see obvious 'stims' things such as hand flapping or repetitive rocking when excited or stressed. Tiptoe walking, unusual eye movements-such as looking out corners of eyes, spinning themselves or toys, head banging, poor eye contact, lack of interest in other people, poor emotional regulation, poor sleep. All of these are just examples and not a check list.

Milder autism symptoms such as a general speech delay and occasional toe walking/ lining up/spinning of toys etc could just be a typical toddler which is why it tends to only be severe autism that is diagnosed at 2.

There are many reasons for poor speech at 2, such as glue ear, other hearing problems, or just a late talker.

[Ggift]

Thanks for responding lunalilly and user1333796. My son is in the waiting list for assessment throught camhs. When Health visitor saw him, he was not saying any words at all, and he showed many signs like spinning toys, hand flapping, toe walking suddenly, poor eye contact and no understanding of language. Yes we are bilingual, but that was not taken into consideration for his lack of speech at that time. From his first first birthday, I could sense that something was not right with him. He didn't shake his head to No, waving bye came very late and above all he never used to let us know through guestures for food or drink. When I raised these concern to GP ped , they asked me to take him to toddler groups frequently and check with speech and language therapist and come back after three month. At two year old checkup, I shared my concern as he scored very less in three areas. HV visited and observed him for an hour and made the referral. When I asked will he talk, go to normal school and about future, she said keep your expectation low and gave many advices.
Now he speak many words, but not communicating functionally yet. I am worried whether he will learn to join words and start speaking in sentences atleast in future.

[lorisparkle]

Whilst I can not predict what will happen with your ds, I work with children who would be described as being severely autistic and have found PECS to be helpful in supporting children in using speech functionally and in putting words together. It might be worth chatting to the speech therapist about it or finding out more on google.

[speechworries23]

Hi @Ggift. I posted recently as I have the exact same concerns about my child - has quite a lot of labelling words but no real communication. I’m 100% sure she’s autistic but I wish I knew what the future holds.
I would love to hear how your son is getting on now?