to ask if this is a sign of autism in toddlers?

[CloudiaPickle]

2.5 yo DD has three words only. I have self-referred to SALT as she also had then lost words. I know losing words can be indicative of autism but an extended family member told me today that something else speech related is a 'strong indicator' but ive never heard of it before so wanted to check here.

Rather than name objects, dd will describe them - I.e. She has signs/sounds (that don't sound remotely like the actual word) for colours and sizes or will make the noise. So for a car she'll say the colour or make an engine noise, for a tree/grass/grapes/peas etc she'll sign green butget ffrustrated if you don't know which of the above she means. She'snnever named an object, she makes animal noises but they're all pretty much the same yet she expects me to know the difference. She doesn't mimic speech at all and says words completely incomprehensibly - for example: red is lut, ear is tin etc.

Does anyone know if these could be signs of autism?

Baby cakes that's outstanding. I'm really pleased it was so fast for you - that's how it should be of course.

If it is any help, my DS will be four in March. He was referred for "statementing" at his 2.5 year check last year. We are still in the process. He also used to describe things by colour only. It took us a while to decipher what he meant ie : my red, my blue, my yellow. He also has super sensitivity to sound, smell (vomits around dogs, his own poo, any strong smell or even just a smell HE doesn't like). Sound is an huge issue. He also has issues with paranoia in crowded places or even when he notices people walking behind us, running away shouting "people". He has issues with animals, ie : does not understand they are living things with feelings and has no issue with trying to hurt. He also has a distinct lack of empathy, does not understand "wait" and flies off the handle if things aren't "just so". On the positive side, his speech is amazing, he's bright, he sleeps well, he is fairly social, has a good imagination. The suggestion is Aspergers according to the special needs HV. Next assessment on Monday. We are now 16 month into this process. It's hard, it takes patience and persistence and I also found HUGE improvements from joining pre-school and recently the nursery at his primary school. Diagnostic tests will check absolutely everything. Good luck!

Following on from last post, my DS also has meltdowns about things such as seams on socks, collars, hoods, cuffs...while he is normally quite articulate, these things can send him into screaming hysterics within seconds. He also often speaks in the third person. I am so used to how he is but other people quite often look a bit traumatised! I feel so much for his grandparents who have never been able to cuddle or kiss him or pick him up, he just doesn't respond to that with people other than his immediate family. On the positive side, he has stopped smashing his head on the floor at every opportunity, that was awful.

I agree with Lonny often the referal process is very long and drawn out anyway so it is important to get it started ASAP. Ours was 9 months start to finish and then as soon as that was done we started the process of getting a statement of special educational needs (well education healthcare plan now) which then took a further 6 months. I am so glad we pushed though as it meant everything was in place before he started primary school.

For some reason once a child is at school the statementing process seems to drag on for ever. I know too many people whose children who have missed out on vital support in the first few years of school because of this.

Totally agree itis ds1 was finally statemented at 8 years old and it took years for us to get it to that stage- his reception teacher was pushing for it when he was 5, he's reasonably high functioning so it took a lot to get our county to assess, they very rarely statement children unless they absolutely have to. When he was finally statemented, I do have to say that his support has been superb.

Ds 2 has been very different, it's the one time I will say that the severity of his disabilities have been to our advantage, he already attends nursery at a special school and his statement is due to be agreed on tomorrow, it's pretty much a foregone conclusion considering the county's own assessment staff have said there is no other placement suitable for him. So far it's taken approx 9 weeks.

It's so lovely to hear babiecakes experience of a quick diagnosis, that's fantastic but unfortunately really quite rare in my experience, waiting lists in a lot of areas are horrendously long.