2yr old DS possibly autistic - help!

[lottytheladybird]

My DS is 2yr & 2m old and we're seriously concerned that he is autistic. He doesn't wave or point, has poor eye contact, doesn't give things to us when requested, takes our hand to help him with things, doesn't do pretend play and isn't talking yet. We took him to see our GP on Tues, who's referred him to a paediatrician. We don't know how long it'll take for the appointment with the paediatrician to come through.

In the meantime, we really want to help our son. We are so worried. What help can we get privately? Any advice would be welcome. Thank you!

I would try asking this on the special needs boards, there are lots of really helpful and lovely people there.

Has he has his hearing tested? If not, I would suggest asking your HV or GP for an audiology referral and then see what happens. Most of the things you have described above could be as a result of a hearing issue. He is very little to be concerned about ASD.

Lucy - our GP checked his hearing on Tues and said it was fine.
Hazey - will try that - thanks!

Hi, come and join us on the Special Needs: Children board.
DS1 and 2 both have high functioning autism. DS2 was non verbal until he was nearly 3 but came on in leaps and bounds and is now in mainstream school and doing well. They do both struggle with life, don't get me wrong but when I look back to how hard things were when they were younger we have come a long way.
Ask on the Special Needs board about ABA - it won't harm an NT child but can be a very good early intervention.

Lotty, I know this is such a worry. You have already taken the first step in highlighting your concerns to your GP who has made the referral to the paed -that is positive. Perhaps ask your GP how long the waiting time in your area is?
I would ring your GP or HV and ask to be referred as well to the speech and language therapy service in your area, or perhaps see one privately.
My DD has social/communication difficulties, and something that really helped was a book called More than Words, by the Hanen Organisation. I'm useless with IT so I can't do links, but you can get it from the Wimslow Press, or Amazon. It's expensive unfortunately, but worth every penny. This book is aimed at children with ASD. I am not saying for one moment that your DS has ASD, but the techniques in it are so helpful and beneficial for any child with communication difficulties.
In terms of communication, I found with DD that it really helped to keep my requests/instructions/comments to her really short (one word/two word), give her a good length of time to process, then repeat. What does your DS like to eat/drink - hold up two choices and try to get him to indicate with body language or eye contact which one he wants - communication. With eye contact, I say DD's name (several times if necessary) and when she looks, I point at my eyes and say Look in a really bright, happy tone. Same with listen, pointing to my ears.
All the best Lotty, and I agree with Hazey, there's always great advice on the SN board.

marchduck - Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me and for recommending the book, which I've now just bought online!

Lotty, it's a great book. Just thinking, the best game I bought for DD was Tomy Pop up Pirate; very easy to play and good for turn taking etc.