Seems a bit of a 'daft' question but my son is 4 in a few weeks and awaiting a diagnosis for autism. I felt like I've been shrugged off for a few years being told 'it's just a general speech delay' and 'he will catch up'.
It's not until he was 3.5, professionals started to take notice.
- My son is very speeches delayed. Literally only said a few words up until he was 3.5. Now he says hundreds of single words but only occasionally ps them together in 2 or 3 words. Usually sticks to one word only.
- He is a VERY happy, giggly, affectionate child. He was a very smiley, content little baby. He was such a happy good baby. I could take him anywhere without a problem up until he was around 2..
He is often too clingy and I can't go for a wee without him stood next to me.
- His behaviour can be very demanding now, especially in public. He's obessed with pressing buttons - ATMs, arcade machines, ticket machines, door opening buttons and often screams when I take him away. But this is improving and takes less notice to things like this now.
He is terrible for screaming when he doesn't get his own way. In public it can be bad in shops.
He runs off a lot.
When he was younger I used to take him to toddler group and he stood playing with the doors and the taps rather than play. He has a thing about opening and shutting doors and gates.
- He doesn't play with children his age but loves company of adults and older children.
- He is very clumsy.
- At pre school he has improved a lot. He will sit still at story and snack time now but this took a while but he struggles to share toys etc. He is also hard to move from task to another.
- He has no sense of danger whatsoever. He runs off and has attempted to run into roads but I'm always there to grab him. I try to explain but he doesn't understand everything and does it again.
- At home he is very good! I can get on and do housework if he's sat playing, doing puzzles, colouring etc.
Although his speech is very delayed. He doesn't seem 'severe' in other areas related to autism. He can be very well behaved but it just takes one thing to upset him and he cries. But his tantrums never last too long.
He says please, thank you and sorry appropriately.
His eye contact has got better over time but still not the best.