Is 5 too early to ask for an Asperger's assessment?

[Shugarlips]

Hello all

My son is 5 and I think he has Aspergers for a variety of reasons. My husbands nephew has it and I know it's genetic. He wasn't diagnosed until he was 15 so a lot of his behaviour I thought was easy to spot and had suspected he did have Aspergers for a while.

My question is 'is 5 too early to test for it?' because a lot of the indicators seem to be things that 5 year olds may do (or not do) due to the fact that they are 5. When I have asked at school they say he is the youngest in the year so will be more immature than his peers and it's too early to tell. They were quite non commital really.

What do you think?

Not too early. Go to your GP and request a referral.

Can I ask what sort of signs he is showing? I have often wondered this about my DD. She sometimes is in her own world, struggles socially and still can't ride a trike.

Thank you mummytime - I think I will trust my instincts (for once!)

Suzyinwonderland - he is a terrible sleeper, tantrums, doesn't understand personal space and body language - so he cannot tell when children (and adults) don't want to play/rough and tumble. No imaginative play, aggression towards his sister, not a lot of eye contact, he gets fixated and will not be distracted, highly sensitive to noises and smells (not so much taste) so he wouldn't go to playgroups when he was younger. Some of this you could put down to being a young 5 year old boy but I think there is more to it.
I have become worried about it since he went to school and has not fitted in or made friends.

If he does have Aspergers the earlier you get a diagnosis and then the appropriate support the better.

IME the earlier the interventiom the better the likelihood of a good outcome. Trust your instincts & push for an assessment.

I second SgtAngua. My dd was 8 when she got her dx, but I knew from her being much younger that there was a problem.
I was told by loads of people to 'hang on til she's older' and I bitterly regret not trusting my instincts.

Good luck x

DD1 was dx at 6years and dd2 is going though dx process at nearly 3, earlier the better imo

sugarlips Some good advice here ... try posting on 'Special Needs Children' board as well, where there is loads of experience with AS. Good luck

My ds was 2yrs old when he got his provisional diagnosis of AS. This was confirmed as AS when he was 3yrs old so 5 should be fine.

Thank you all - really helful-

did you go through your GP or health visitor?

I was going to book a GPO appointment but I don't really want my son sitting there and listening to me talking about him. I thought about making an appointment and just me going. I have made contact with health visitor and am waiting for a call back.

You can go the GP route or HV. DS2 was picked up v early as he was non verbal until he was 4 so the DX process started via HV at 2.6ish.

You can also push for the school to call in the Special Educational Needs Support Service outreach team to come into school & observe your DS. They can then advise the school on strategies that can be put in place to help him cope better with the school environment pre DX, then if it comes to the statementing process afterwards they will already be "aware" of him.

You can go to the GP on your own, I did.

My ds was diagnosed with HFA at age 5. The process began when he was 4, concerns first raised when he was 3 and a half. He is very high functioning as well. Not sure if we are just in a very switched on area but the path to diagnosis went quite smoothly.

We went to the GP who referred him the second time we asked but it really got moving when he went to Reception and his school got involved.

Shimmerysilverglitter - if you don't mind me asking what led you to seek help/advice in the first place?

I have booked a GP appointment for Monday, HV didn't ring back - reminds me why I haven't gone to the HV's before!

Hi, sorry not to reply before not been on for a while.

First thing was when ds went to Nursery. They told us that he did not respond verbally to them without echolalia - ie repeating phrases and whole episodes of Thomas and various other programmes. Although he did this at home too he also had spontaneous speech with us so it was not something we had really picked up on. Even now and he is 7 he is a very different child at home than at school or with people he doesn't know, it was very difficult for us to see what they mean't and we were totally in denial.

Also he just wasn't interested in interacting with the other kids at his nursery, did not want to sit down for stories or songs. We went to a Birthday Party and the whole time they sang Happy Birthday he covered his ears and shouted "stop singing". He was terrified of the hoover, hand dryers, hair dryers etc I mean absolutely terrified (sensory).

At school they said he didn't listen, was in a world of his own etc, but again this is not something we had noticed at home, with us and close family members he was and still is very engaged with good eye contact.

Hope that helps, if you want to ask anymore questions please post again or even email me on [email protected].

I'm wondering what type of support they are given if diagnosed. Everybody says early diagnose is better for early intervention and help. However, I don't understand what they do to help children with AS in the NHS or in private?

5 is def not too early.
My DS is nearly 5 and he was diagnosed 3 months ago. He has been being assessed since he was 3 and a bit.
We have had HEAPS of support since we've been in the system. He has had a year of speech therapy weekly and is now almost on a par with children his own age with his speech.
We have a SN health visitor and a psychologist who are on hand for advice etc. I have both their mobile numbers and if I call with a specific question they offer advice or will make an appt to come visit us at home to discuss further.
We have an education psychologist who has arranged a special induction for DS at his new school (he started last week!) and has been in to school to speak to the teachers on the best ways to deal with him/teach him.
We've also been placed on a couple of ASD courses/workshops that we are going to attend next month.
Am very impressed with how much help DS has been given tbh. Well worth pushing for a diagnosis!

Hi everyone

I went to the GP this morning and asked for a referal. He asked what our concerns were and I listed examples of behaviour. He referred us to a consultant paedeatrician (spelling!!) without hesitation so stage one completed. He said he thought it sounded more like ADHD. He said we should expect to hear in 5 - 6 weeks. The GP said to type up my notes and keep a diary meanwhile. Thanks Fel1x for telling me your good experiences.

Shimmerysilverglitter - it's interesting what you say about your son being better at home but had noticable behaviour at nursery and with people unfamiliar to him. Our son is better at school (now - he had a very shaky start)but goes to pieces at home where there isn't such a structure and when we went on holiday last month we really noticed his need for constant (and I mean constant) attention and for someone to be doing someting with him. He also repeats himself and uses phrases he picks up (from TV or school) to communicate.

Feel better but slightly depressed now. I have a feeling this is going to be a journey.