Almost 2 year old showing some signs of autism..

[silverpetals]

I'm wondering if I'm being a bit ott or whether my concerns are valid.

I'm really stuck with what to do from here to be honest as my local health visitor is pretty useless and the gp said he's not concerned yet.

However, I'm just worried that something doesn't feel right with my little ones development. Lots of things I've read indicate that he could be showing signs of autism but other things suggest that he isn't.

If you have experience of this I'd be really grateful to know if you were aware of this at such a young age and how you went about getting help. Everything I've read about suggests that early intervention is key but I'm not sure if some of the things he does is just standard toddler behaviour along with a slight speech delay or if he is showing signs and how I can go about getting him the support he needs if the gp isn't concerned yet.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I don't want to derail the op's thread, but the people who said they disagree with my sons non diagnosis, what do I do about it?
For information, he was originally referred because he has some tics which I suppose could be stims, he has always been very fixated on his two favourite subjects, he takes verbal or written statements absolutely literally ( for instance his new teacher gave him a sticker this week that said I worked my socks off! and he was so upset and frustrated because he was adamant his socks did not come off. He cried his eyes out.) He is a stickler for routine. He finds making friends and mixing difficult. He struggles with food and its all about textures and foods touching. I could go on. Why would they not diagnose my child what problem is it for them?

bobstersmum, two of my children have ASD and both can mantain eye contact. Ask your GP for a second opinion.

@bobstersmum, you need to get a second opinion as you’ve been fed misinformation. Your anecdote on the socks is very familiar and that difficulty with literal Vs abstract is often but not always present with children with autism.

Have a look at the triad of impairment. It’s doesn't include savant ability either despite what many people seem to think.

@bobstersmum have you considered aspergers? Sorry I have no rights to make assumptions here but some of what you have mentioned would resonate with some students I teach with aspergers. It is so difficult to diagnose but you sound so pro active keep pushing.

Thank you for replying to me everyone and sorry op for using your thread to discuss it. I have thought of aspergers yes, I cannot understand why though for the life of me they would let him go through all the full assessment and then say we think he is OK, if he's not. And the school as well, I believe are really letting him down now as his teacher in reception fully understood him but this school year in year 1 it's like he's invisible. It's such a worry because I'm struggling with my younger ds who is now in reception as he has his own issues. Do I go back to the gp or push it with the school?

I would go back to the gp and be firm with your ongoing concerns. Currently going through the same process as you do hand hold!

Thanks Moonshine. I am going to ask at parents evening next week and get the teachers verdict then get back on to his consultant, she did only discharge him in March, and I remember she said get in touch if any more concerns. Seems such a battle for a lot of parents of children with high functioning autism to get a diagnosis! I know in my heart that he's different, I've known since he was about six months old, the doctors know he's different, they've sent him for alsorts of tests to try to explain his tics away. He's had a brain scan, ecgs, countless blood tests including microarray. No one can explain it, they said he does have autistic traits but as he isn't struggling with learning or anything they think he's ok.

Hi I have a son with ASD and some of your issues sound familiar. I’d recommend a book call Motivation and Reinforcement which gives practical examples of advice on how to interact. Basically, he may need more full-on interaction than other kids as he may not naturally seek it out. Do persevere. You may be worrying over nothing, but the early interventions would help the development of all children.

Hiya @silverpetals just wondering if you could update how your DS has progressed if you are around could you update please xx