Autistic son age 2. I need advice!

[Emzmum2four]

So I need help from other parents with sons and daughters who are like my Tommy.
I know Tommy is autistic. He turned 2 in March and he isn't interested in talking. He stims his wee hands and shouts so loud when he's excited and happy. No eye contact unless you engage with him with his toy animals or if I sing to him when he's watching YouTube on his ipad. He loves alphabet songs or animal songs. He's very intelligent and cuddly. He takes my hand to the fridge for things he wants. There's alot of issues I'm concerned with as I just feel its so slow to get a diagnosis. He had speech therapy once in May. Like all parents I want him getting the best help for him. I do know a little about autism and doing my own research has helped alot. He only started walking confidently in February. At the moment I'm finding it hard carrying him. I'm only 5ft and it might seem silly but when we're out I can't put him down coz he will run away. His dad thinks I baby him too much but he's not like his 3 siblings and I want him to be independent but safely. I've thought about child reins but I just don't know. I try to take him out with me as much as possible I would just love advice how to help him walk because carrying him is too much. This is probably sounding silly of all things to want help with. I also take his pram but he's always wanting out it now.
Anyway any help would be great! 😃

I use reins for my little boy. He's just turned 3 and absolutely cannot be trusted to not run away. I know people don't like them, but safety is most important.

I may be able to offer you some hope re the potential autism. My eldest is now 7. At 2 he was very much how you describe your little boy. Not talking, next to no understanding etc. He is autistic (diagnosed age 6) but he's extremely able and clever. Talks non-stop and is doing so well at school. You never really know what will happen with their development.

Has he been diagnosed?
It's a huge spectrum my son was diagnosed at three and a half he was and still is non verbal, he's 12 now ,all children are different and it's difficult to say how they will be impacted by autism at such a young age .

No we're in the early stages. The health visitor has referred Tommy to a pediatrician but its a long waiting list.

We're going through the diagnosis pathway.

Use reins. My little boy loved them, it gave him his freedom to walk, and saved my back but still gave me the safety.

Is he in nursery?

My stbexh was horrified that I bought a rucksack with reins for dd2 when she was about three but she was uncontrollable and it stopped her running into the road. You have to put safety first.

Reins. They used to be really common when I was younger. Not only can they be used to keep children close, but when they fall, they ( hopefully ) don’t fall over. I clearly remember my younger brother dangling at the end of the reins when DM had lifted them to stop him going flying.

You quite often see themed backpacks with attached reins now. Little Life I think do them. We have a ladybird set from Aldi, though I’m sure there are other places you can get them.

You can also get wrist straps that have a curly thread if that would be better.

My son is autistic. At that age he wouldn't tolerate reins, would lie down and refuse to move. Instead we used a wrist strap which he was totally fine with. I think he associated it more with hand holding than being restrained.

I think I'll try the reins and if he absolutely hates them then at least I've tried. I've noticed the more I interact with toys or singing letters the more he is understanding although without speech. So I'll say wheres the elephant? And sometimes not always he will look through his toy animals and hold up the elephant. I feel its a start. I just feel in here I'll get more help because at the moment I'm stuck with the referrals or help that way and I hope here helps me and Tommy. Thank you

No he's not in nursery. He'll be able to go after the summer and I honestly think it'll help. I'm so new to autism and I'm trying hard but I think I'm holding him back alot. I don't give him a variety of foods I'm so scared he chokes. I wasn't like that with the other 3. I probably baby him and the freedom from me might help. 🙏

If he can understand you asking about his elephant then he's WAY ahead of where my boy was at that age. That's a good sign.