Autism

[jessiah91]

Hi there I'm new here! I just wondered if there were any mums on here with children who are autistic or have learning difficulties? My three year old son has just been diagnosed with autism after a long waited battle and fight to get a diagnosis. None of my friends have children and I just wanted to maybe get some hints and tips for meltdowns and just to hear about other parents stories really! I have been really struggling to process everything causing severe anxiety.
Thank you - Jess

Hello: I’m a mum to a 2 year old newly diagnosed with autism

There is a special needs section that’s really supportive with chat threads etc.

I posted in here the other day and was given details of useful books and you tube vlogs etc (the thread is called shock autism diagnosis, or something like that!) www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs_chat

Thank you for advice :)

Hello, how did you get a diagnoses so early? I'm just wondering because my ds has just turned 3 and have expected asd for a while, he sees a specialist and salt etc but they just keep saying he's too young. Thanks

@Nj200 my son was diagnosed just after his 2nd birthday. He has been under a variety of specialists and have various assessments/tests since birth: brain MRI, hearing tests, SALT, scans, Development Paediatrician, Dietitian, Allergist, OT, HV, Genetics, and Neonatal Paediatrician.

All of them were involved in providing reports etc, but it was a shock because I didn’t think they gave them until children turned 4 so I was quite surprised when it happened.

Hello, thanks for that, yeah a lot of them are involved with my son not all of them though , and the specialist did say doesn't really matter if he has a diagnosis As all the right people are involved :/

Many times a child is diagnosed much later on (from 3 onwards) only because parents are waiting long times (many times over a year) for them to be assessed, however, when there is no waiting list (going private) in some cases of autism reliable diagnosis can be given from 2 years old (with concerns having been raised at 18 month - ie. a child not pointing to share interests by 18 months is at serious risk of later diagnosis).

I work at a disability college so I started to see children and young adults that had similar traits to my son and I noticed serious signs from when my son was born. He has never pointed until now and he is now 3 years and 3 months old. Lots of things including spinning for long periods of time sometimes up to an hour. Constant meltdowns. The list goes on You really have to push and fight for answers I went to the child development centre last Friday after waiting for our 4th assement appointment, he has been with the centre for 2 years now and the waiting list for appointments is soooo long and I begged them for some answers as I am finding everything difficult. Keep fighting keep pushing ask the questions it's in your every right to make sure you have all the help that's there for you if you need anything just ask!

In addition the majority of parents start raising concerns when at 2 years old their child has little or no speech (it is the first 'red flag' they see), this then starts a chain of doctor appointments, assessments, etc that can take years to conclude hence why many children receive a diagnosis much later on (from 3 or 4 years old). However, if a child really does have autism there would have been many many other subtle signs way before 2 years old, as early as 12 months (and certainly very reliable markers by 18M like serious deficits in pointing/showing/praise seeking/social referencing, etc). However this is not always the case, specifically in high functioning girls, that are able to mask and compensate for some of these deficits very well, way better than boys can.

Hi I'm mum to a just turned 3 year old who is waiting for the mda which should be in the next couple of months. Feeling very nervous about it as worried what if they don't give diagnosis and the support will stop. Their behaviour is very challenging. Please can anyone advise what happend after their child got diagnosed? Did they get more support? Many thanks

I haven't had any support as of yet but I will let you know it's nice to have support from this thread too! :) xx

Thank you. I guess everything has such long waiting lists. 😊

Our dr wanted to see my ds jn Sep but got an app through for Feb next yr so he will be neatly 4 and only his 3rd app with paeds because the apps are a year apart

That's terrible that they are so far apart. I keep calling to chase the assessment but keep getting told they cant say when it will be.

My sons has only had 2 official assessments in the past 2 years and the diagnosis I pushed for as he has Portage & speech therapy at home regularly, knowing the assessment appointments are so far apart I've had to fight for everything I have been in touch with my local SENCO as well xx

Yeah salt ad portage go into nursery to see my son, speech and language said he's deffo got signs of asd but they can't officially diagnose him, you have To push for everything

Hi all

My son is possible path way to being diagnosed he is 3.2 months and doesn’t say a single word. Dawn paediatrician back in jan he wasn’t concerned said he was just delayed but I know the spectrum is so wide he doesn’t have major traits he is very sociable just doesn’t talk, gesture really, he understands but it’s basic. Waiting for a diagnosis is hard I feel very low not having the answers I can accept him having a title or autism it’s the worry will he ever talk I find very hard

Dawn x

Hi dawn I totally understand your concerns my son was the same he was 2 years and 10 months until he started to say anything, he never gestured or pointed he was constantly spinning and banging his head and hitting me he still does these things just he says words now, he still doesn't ask for things he will take me to the cupboard where he knows treats are and he puts my hand onto the cupboard.. it's very difficult isn't it I'm here if you need to talk :) thanks - jessica x

Hi

Thanks for writing back. It’s just a worrying time you sit and count down the months thinking why havnt you said anything. He’s such a happy well behaved boy nothing stands out to me apart from his speech and understanding being behind but there’s something not normal for him not to talk, I long to hear his little voice 😔 I bet it was lovely to hear your son speak. I’m also expecting baby number 2 soon so my anxiety has kicked in I’m worrying that this could be the same situation with my next child! All we can do is push for help, does your son have speech therapy?? We are going private as nhs have been useless so far xx

@dawny30xx hi sorry for delay! He does have speech therapy yes and I remember feeling just like you you're not alone :) it was Christmas Day when my son started to speak single words I couldn't believe it! All the excitement must have brought his speech out! It's very difficult I can totally relate to you completely and if you're having baby number 2 I can imagine why you're emotions are so high. That's right all you can do is push and push and fight for help and what you're entitled to! Xx

It is really horrible waiting for them to speak. My little one took a long time to start speaking and even now will not say alot when we are out. You definitely do have to keep fighting for them and chasing up appointments etc. Its very difficult when there is challenging behaviour and your out and about as people do not understand they just think their a naughty child.

Hi ladies

Having kids is a worry and I know you should never compare to others but it is horrible when my friends little ones are the same age chatting away. Summer1212 when did your little one start saying words? My son is very behaved so he just seems quiet when out but I hate it when people say oh hello what’s your name etc to him and you feel sad because he can’t speak

Xx

He started saying odd words from a young age but then never said them very often. He would never ask for anything and has only really started speaking over the past few months and seems to be improving all the time. His speech is very limited when we are out around other people and like ur little one wont speaking people talk to him. I thought his speech would never get any better and it did. He's still under speech and language but that's been put on hold until he's had his assessment.

It’s good your son is saying words now though I would be so happy to hear something! As the months go on it gets soooo much more worrying! Although last few weeks when we say dad or daddy he sounds like he tries to say it back! He’s just such a good happy little boy he’s like a normal boy that can’t speak! Has your son got good understanding? Also what have speech therapy done with him is it pecs cards? Xxx

I know it's hard but the words will come. Not that long ago he would try to talk to us and I would have no idea what he said now it's getting clearer. No his understanding is not great and his behaviour is challenging he is also quite sensory so lots going on. Yes he has used now and next board. The speech therapist also suggested giving him two choices of something and getting him to pick one. Is your son just under speech and language then if everything else is normal.