Teacher thinks son should be assessed for autism

[Arian15]

Hi, I was wondering whether anybody could give me some advice (and I apologise in advance for a long rambling post). My son is in year three and his teacher told us last week that she thinks he should be assessed for autism.
She first raised the issue when she phoned me a fortnight ago to say he'd become very upset at school but was unable to articulate why and instead came out with a lots of random worries he has. She said during the conversation he was unable to make eye contact with her and went on to say that she has noticed he displays other possible autistic traits, such as finding it hard to cope with new routines/changes etc and being more withdrawn than other children in some group situations. At parents evening last week she reiterated her concerns and said she thinks he may need support in future with changes such as starting secondary school and that asking for him to be assessed for autism could help him to access that support.
No other teacher/health visitor etc has ever raised concerns about our son's behavior or suggested in any way that he may be autistic.
He is very sociable and has close friends at school. He is also very affectionate and always tells us when he is worried about something.
He is however quite anxious and very fussy and particular about food. And at nearly eight years old he still has meltdowns when he's tired/anxious etc.
We don't know whether to go ahead and request an assessment based on the teacher's concerns or just wait and see how he develops.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated as we have no idea what to do!
Thanks so much in advance!

[springiscomingagain]

The waiting list for autism assessments is very long - 2 years in my area so there's no harm in making the referral and then he's on the list while he develops and you review things. You can always withdraw from the assessment nearer the time if other things come to light.

It's probably more important for strategies to be put in place now to help him cope with anxiety, transitions etc rather than waiting for a diagnosis which won't necessarily come with answers! What did the teacher say she was going to do to support him in the meantime.....??

[Arian15]

Thanks a lot for replying springiscomingagain and for giving such good advice. You're right, given the length of the waiting list for assessments it makes sense to ask for him to be referred then as you say we can always change our minds later on. I've made an appointment with the GP to set the ball rolling.
The teacher didn't mention what she could do to support him. I think we need to arrange another meeting with her and the school's SENCO to find out if they think there is a need for him to have any extra help now.
Thanks again for your advice!

[ittakes2]

Can I suggest you do this questionnaire - I don't know this company so I am not recommending them but they have a good questionnaire. My son is like your son - extremely affectionate and has lots of friends - but he was diagnosed with OCD aged 8 and then high functioning ASD aged 11. The doctor thinks he has some infant reflexes who have not gone dormant and we are shortly starting right/left brain exercises to help these go dormant. In particular apparently if a child's moro reflex has not gone dormant than the child can be more anxious. My son has had sound therapy and this did help and his eye contact improved.

[ittakes2]

oops - questiannaire! www.inpp.org.uk/child-screening-questionnaire/

[Suninwinter]

Do not wait, just get him assessed. The earlier you find it out the better it is. If he is, generally things are getting worse at teenage.

[Ellie56]

Agree get him on the waiting list now. If he does have autism problems will arise later as he gets older and expectations become higher.

This teacher may have taught autistic children before or has a relative with autism so has recognised the traits.

[Ellie56]

And our son with autism is very affectionate and always has been. Everyone on the autistic spectrum is different.