My son is 3. (Just)
I am concerned he is showing signs of being on the ASD spectrum and would appreciate any advice/insight from anyone who has experience of this as to whether his behaviour sounds typical of a child presenting with ASD or can be explained by his age?
Fine around other kids. Says he wants to “go and see the children” when talking about toddler group etc. Likes to say hello and try and join in with chasing games etc with his older sister and her friends. Not at nursery yet (can’t afford it until we get the government hours) but whenever we go to toddler groups he is fine around other kids. Happy being close to them and doesn’t have an issue with people being in his space, although rather than actual meaningful play it is more parallel play than anything at the moment.
He is very overfamiliar with strangers. My daughter was always very friendly and sociable as a toddler too, liked to chat away in shops etc, but my son will literally launch himself onto people and repeatedly tap their leg to say hello.
at home beginning to do some imaginary play although limited - will play with a toy aeroplane, say it’s flying in the sky, but when I ask where it’s going he doesn’t know, so flying in the sky is as far as we get.
went through a stage of lining toys up which worried me but doesn’t seem to do that any more.
can and does imitate me.
can point with one finger. answers to his name although it used to be a real effort but does that fine now.
eye contact good. Smiles and laughs, very affectionate with us all at home.
very clever - can count, knows all shapes and colours etc
Language skills - hard for me to know if he is “behind” or not as I can only really compare to my daughter who spoke very well very early. Some 3yr olds I know speak a lot better than him, but I also know some 3-4yr olds who I can’t always understand what they’re saying. My son is usually intelligible when speaking but his actual conversation skills aren’t great. He can answer questions, make statements, sing songs, knows what everything around him is etc but there’s not much actual conversation.
extremely physical/hyperactive - runs and runs, climbs, finds it hard to sit down quietly when he is “supposed to” ie during toddler classes can’t sit and listen to instructions, he will be running around a bit manic while the other toddlers sit down when asked to.
I have asked the GP to refer him for an assessment and was told that they would do this but I am looking at a 2 year wait to be seen.
going out of my mind with worry. Any advice as to whether this sounds like ASD appreciated hugely.