Autism on dad's side

[Starfish25]

Hi,
I don't have a lot of knowledge of autism but my just turned 3 lb had his 3 year review and he wasn't scoring high with the health visitor so she has refered him to a pedatrician. He is under salt due to only saying over 20 words. Just the other day another health visitor rang me up to say they are fast tracking my lb as autism is on dad's side (sister has 3 kids with autism) I really don't see anything in him but is there anyone out there going through the same thing? Xx

Autism does seem to run in families but just because his cousins have it doesn't me he will. Also a family diagnosis seems to happen more in reverse currently as in a child will be identified as having autism and then a parent and then a grandparent. I think they are doing the responsible thing try not to let it worry you.

At least they're checking now, it can take years to get a diagnosed and then the help needed.
It's a good thing :)

only 20 words at 3YR is certainly speech delayed (10-20 words are expected at 18M). However, a speech delay alone does not mean autism, there would have to a myriad of social communication delays for autism to be a possibility. If he is unable to talk, how does he communicate with you? to request and to share enjoyment (like involving you in his play, or pointing out a plane in the sky, etc?)?

Thank you all for the reply. I do appreciate that they are doing it so early on, I did tell them this. It's just made me worry even though I don't see it in him but then I don't know that much about it. If he ever wants anything he will take my hand to what ever it is- to play a game etc he does point at stuff and make noise or talk in his own little babble way. Took him to SALT 2 weeks ago and she got him to say 2 words - car and pop, this was the 1st time she met him xx

I wouldn't have thought 3YR is too young - there are many examples in this forum of infants diagnosed with autism at 2YRs old, with the assessment starting around 18M. This is because development until 2YR is crucial and missing certain milestones by a certain age is very concerning. So for example, not pointing to request AND to share by 20M nearly always means autism.

How is his receptive language? at 3YRs old he should be understanding more or less everything you say to him, including 2 to 3 step requests.