To think that Autism/ASD is being used too freqently in toddler pre school children

[pigletmania]

I have noticed here on MN and also in real life that if a toddler/pre school child's behaviour does not conform to the 'norm' and I use the term loosely, that they must have ASD, Aspergers which is just not necessarily the case and will most probably grow out of it in their own time.

Children from a very young age are under constant assessment and scruitny which does not allow for individual personality differences, and does not allow for the child to develop in at their own pace. They are not robots but inividuals! Of course I understand that there are young children with real difficulties that do need help and intervention and don't dispute that. I use my own dd 3.5 as and example.

We self referred her to SALT this April as we were concered about her social communication and also pressure from friends and relatives. DD goes to a pre school too and they were concerened about it too so have referred her onto ED Psych. DD is quite shy like dh and did not like to communicate to different people especially ones that she does not know, she finds it difficult to make conversations and initiate them (she is only 3 fgs). She loves other children but does not know what to say to them and does not always make eye contact.

The SALT came on Monday as a follow up and suggested a referral to a Paedritrician(sp) and talked about possibility of ASD wtF!!!!!! We declined at the moment. Since the SALTS first assesment at the beginning of July we have noticed progress in dd interaction and the way in which she communicates. She now makes eye contact and has made efforts to communicate to other children, nothing at a bit of time and help from SALT and Ed psych will sort out. Why te Paedritrican fgs. Just because she needs a bit of help with her social communication does not mean she needs the paedritrican and she has ASD. She is still young and is learning all the time.

There is so much expectation of people so young. Its expected that they be potty trainned, feed themselves, and communicate like adults before 2! Sorry for the long post btw

You have a responsibility to your dd to follow the advice of experts and allow her to be refered. As stated, it will do her no harm to be assessed but may do harm if she is not.
I don't mean to be harsh but you need to put your daughter first and if you don't let her see a paed then I think you are putting your own fears ahead of her best interests.

pigletmania Could you explain why you are so against seeing a paediatrician. I just don't understand why you wouldn't want a highly skilled doctor specializing in children to give your LO a once over. Not to scare you but a doctor needs to rule out other possibilities which could cause symptoms which at the moment are being considered to be ASD when in fact it may be another cause.

I understand where you are coming from pigletmania, I was the same when it was first raised that my DS may have an ASD. I did resist, although only for about 6 months, and it was incredibly selfish of me. During that time I was very angry at what I saw as his nursery wanting him to conform and fit in a box with all the other children.

3 years down the line I realise it's not about that at all. His school don't want him to change, or think there's something wrong with him, they just want to help him by teaching him skills that he lacks and helping in areas he struggles in.

If a professional such as a SALT has raised the possibility of a paed referral, it is with good reason. As a PP said, a paed assessment, regardless of what is found during the assessment, won't harm your DD. Not getting intervention in place if she needs it really could do her a lot of harm, and could hold her back a great deal.

Excellent post SLM.

Pigletania, please listen to the advice you have ben given from a lot of posters. It ight help your DD in the future if anything.

And piglet i just wanted to add, that they will be looking for other things eg. global development delay, just because a child may have difficulties does not mean that it is autism or asd, there are various possibilities.

take it from me it took a long time to get any kind of diagnosis for my ds, its been about 5 years since it started, and we still feel there is a deeper problem. just accept the help and advice whilst she is still young. because if there is a problem it can take years sometimes to sort the help.

please listen we are trying to help