How to tell when non verbal child is very ill?

DontWantToWasteResources · 2023-03-22T16:05:54+00:00

DC is KS1 age, autistic, learning disabilities and non verbal. He has mild epilepsy but currently been weaned off medication because he wasn't even having absences anymore. Last two three days he's been acting really strangely - crying continuously, pacing, calpol not working, large pupils then small pupils, not eating much, fast blinking and vacant periods, really very pale and dark rings around eyes. He's just acting really unwell but there's no temperature or breathing difficulties or anything like that. It's so hard when he can't tell us what's wrong! Is taking him to A&E an unreasonable thing to do??

cocksstrideintheevening · 22/03/2023 16:07

I'd take him to A&E. Step back, if he was a baby (ie non verbal) with those symptoms, what would you do?

yogaretreat · 22/03/2023 16:08

I would take to a&e. My son is non verbal autistic and we have to look for these type of cues. Don't doubt yourself. He's probably fine but get him checked.

Original poster

DontWantToWasteResources · 22/03/2023 16:09

cocksstrideintheevening · 22/03/2023 16:07

I'd take him to A&E. Step back, if he was a baby (ie non verbal) with those symptoms, what would you do?

Yeah, this is what I was thinking. The school called us very panicked saying "something is just not right".

OP posts:

Maray1967 · 22/03/2023 16:10

Take him right now.

Original poster

DontWantToWasteResources · 22/03/2023 16:11

Thank you. A&E have made us feel like time wasters before, but once we actually took him back again and he ended up in for a week.

OP posts:

TempNCforthis · 22/03/2023 16:13

Your poor little boy. I really hope everything goes well.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 22/03/2023 16:16

DontWantToWasteResources · 22/03/2023 16:11

Thank you. A&E have made us feel like time wasters before, but once we actually took him back again and he ended up in for a week.

Not time-wasting at all. At least two members of qualified staff who know him well have been concerned enough that they've made the decision to call you.

Skiphopbump · 22/03/2023 16:19

Agree you should take him in, it’s better to be cautious and get him seen.

KEG05 · 22/03/2023 16:19

OP the best thing to do here is listen to your gut. You know him best. If you think he’s poorly then he probably is and if I were you and I was worried like you are I would take my little one to A&E. he can’t tell you. You know there’s something wrong and you need to go to where it can be investigated. I hope he’s feeling better soon ❤️

Wishiwasatailor · 22/03/2023 16:21

I agree a&e but also a call to your epilepsy nurse or paediatrician because rapid pupil change, fast blinking and vacant periods could be seizure activity or side effects of withdrawal from meds

yogaretreat · 22/03/2023 16:22

People who don't have a child with these needs, they have no idea. Don't let anyone make you feel you're wasting time. They have never been in our shoes.

Untitledsquatboulder · 22/03/2023 16:27

If you have a good relationship with your gp you could start there but a&e is a perfectly valid option - they can do on the spot scans and blood tests if needs be.

A friend had this with her ds (autistic, non verbal) and it turned out to be a tooth abcess in the end but it took quite a lot of time and a GA to work it out as her ds was very non-cooperative re being examined (unsurprising given the pain ).

redmillhouse · 22/03/2023 16:36

Take him to a&e.
The same as you would with any very young child who can't communicate their needs but you sense that they are not themselves.

Chilloutsnow · 22/03/2023 16:38

Absolutely 100 percent take him.

User13579367337 · 22/03/2023 16:40

Get him in. Don’t be made to feel like a time waster. Make sure you tell them even the school are extremely concerned.

Snowdropsarelovely · 22/03/2023 16:44

Is he at a special school ? If so they may have a nurse on site who can ring A&E with concerns which will help you to be heard

Dalekjastninerels · 22/03/2023 16:56

I would take him to A& E especially as he cannot say where it hurts/how he feels.

Marchforward · 22/03/2023 16:59

The paediatrician at our local A and E always says “If Mum is worried then I’m worried”. You know your child just go to A and E.

Original poster

DontWantToWasteResources · 22/03/2023 18:18

DH took him to hospital, they took him straight up to Paediatric Assessment Unit. They haven't been able to get him to cooperate with any obs yet though 😬

Yes, he goes to a special school. They got the school nurse to look at him at the end of the day and she was worried too.

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Rainbowsandbutterflies1990 · 22/03/2023 18:24

Hope everything is OK, I have non verbal 6 year old daughter and it's so difficult to know , she usually goes off earing chocolate r cake and that's when I know something is up! I had to pick her up this afternoon from her special school as explosion nappies ! I'm not too worried as she is eating everything in sight since getting home! Hope u find out what the problem is. It can be extra stressful

Dalekjastninerels · 22/03/2023 20:51

Rainbowsandbutterflies1990 · 22/03/2023 18:24

Hope everything is OK, I have non verbal 6 year old daughter and it's so difficult to know , she usually goes off earing chocolate r cake and that's when I know something is up! I had to pick her up this afternoon from her special school as explosion nappies ! I'm not too worried as she is eating everything in sight since getting home! Hope u find out what the problem is. It can be extra stressful

Fingers and toes crossed for your son OP.

It is hard when he wants to say he feels ill but cannot get the words out.

x2boys · 22/03/2023 20:59

Of course take him to A&E,I have a non verbal nearly 13 year old it's hard when they are ill and they can't tell.you or understand
one question ,how are his bowel movements?
My son suffers with chronic constipation ,and he gets terribly distressed with it.

Original poster

DontWantToWasteResources · 23/03/2023 06:19

x2boys · 22/03/2023 20:59

Of course take him to A&E,I have a non verbal nearly 13 year old it's hard when they are ill and they can't tell.you or understand
one question ,how are his bowel movements?
My son suffers with chronic constipation ,and he gets terribly distressed with it.

He's OK. The hospital were absolutely fantastic and gave him a 48 hour pass to come back etc.

He came home and did an absolutely giant poo and it solved the screaming (but not the other issues) straight away.

Thanks everyone for your reassurance. I always feel a bit silly taking him to A&E but they were amazing according to DH.

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Rainbowsandbutterflies1990 · 23/03/2023 19:15

So I'm now in a and e because my daughter chewed a battery 😞 she didn't really have it the nurse has just said but waiting for doctor. Feeling really emotional and husband is home with my 4 year old.

x2boys · 23/03/2023 19:24

Rainbowsandbutterflies1990 · 23/03/2023 19:15

So I'm now in a and e because my daughter chewed a battery 😞 she didn't really have it the nurse has just said but waiting for doctor. Feeling really emotional and husband is home with my 4 year old.

Oh dear ,.my son,once drank.a bottle of calpol,we thought,and we rushed him straight up.to.A&E ,in a panic ,when my dh,went n me to.collect some clothes ,he found a pool.if calpol.on the kitchen floor ,it's so much harder when they can't tell you 😥