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Behaviour/development

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Glue ear/ASD/Asperger’s

7 replies

MamaAl27 · 08/03/2023 21:58

Hi All

So I’m wondering what everyone else’s thoughts are before I book anything.

So nursery pulled me aside at beginning of year and said our little one wasn’t really communicating, interacting or talking to them at nursery and asked what he was like at home, I said he communicates and interacts with us all the time and that we know his speech is slightly delayed but we were working with him on it.

They said perhaps to get his hearing checked and it has turned out he has glue ear in both ears and the audiologist said that when there is a lot of noise going on, our little one is finding it hard to pinpoint the noise and where it’s coming from so he may not communicate etc at nursery because he is finding it difficult. We may need grommets, so going to cross that bridge when it comes to it.

Whilst I can appreciate that, I am unsure whether he may be autistic, have Asperger’s or just the glue ear.

He tantrums really easily at the moment, has started speaking in sentences but now also echoing alot of what we say, so for example we say “say bye bye to xx” and he will sometimes (not all the time) repeat it back but then alot of the other time will say it fine, sort of imaginary plays but not massively, lies head on floor to play with car toys, will take himself off to play some of the time, obsessed with riding his balance bike at the skate park, when he comes to his stair gate in the middle of the night he will do a whinge and we have to remind him to call for us, will have a meltdown when someone tries to take something he is playing with from him. But has got better when we modelled with him and he was very caring to the boy he was playing with and kept going over to him to share the car and saying “share with xx” He will also recite two books he knows that we read to him and also tell us the missing word in some. He will also recite lines from Mr Tumble like “if you see it wave and cheer” and if he sees a lorry for example he will say “lorry, you sign, lorry” and does the makaton. Doesn’t always say this, sometimes he will say “it’s a lorry” or “I see a lorry”. He will also get the pronouns confused so will always say “xx like a banana” has known his alphabet since about 20 months and also counts 1-20 since then. Recognises letters and numbers.

He is very good with joint attention always wanting us to join in with things, loves babies and aware of his surroundings, he does love socialising with peers he knows, aware of who everyone is, knows what things are, aware when someone has left or entered a room, points at everything to show us, loves a disco to dance with people, copies movements and actions, good eye contact, interacted well and listened to instructions well with speech therapist and audiologist. speech therapist had no concerns nor did the audiologist as he loved interacting with them. Asks us to do something like “mummy do it” when he wants me to push his toy train along track or asks for water and food when he wants it. Understands some instructions.

What would you guys think? Has anyone been in similar situation? HV is visiting soon as well.

OP posts:
Muddays · 09/03/2023 04:26

Absolutely similar situation with me. He is probably on the autism spectrum like my son, which is something that is actually a gift if understood. It's a tricky road though. Not sure how PM works here, you're welcome to contact me if you want. Either way, my advice is to trust your instincts and not be afraid to give your child space, because many well meaning people can be very overwhelming for you both. Your child needs routine yet chaotic adventures. Lots of love, hugs and laughter will make the learning experience far, far easier.

MamaAl27 · 09/03/2023 06:29

@Muddays thank you for responding.
was your son ok in new situations? Our son if anything loves new environments and at on holiday at the kids club loved joining in with everything and at nursery plays and joins in with the children. What signs did you notice with your LO?

OP posts:
Muddays · 09/03/2023 07:25

My son loves new situations, gets involved, makes the kids laugh, is adventurous although probably too independent and very happy exploring with new friends, loves babies, is kind and caring and extremely aware of his surroundings. (We only have to visit a place once and he knows exactly where to go when he returns, sometimes several months later!) Then it's time to leave. Meltdown. The end of the world. He's exhausted and doesn't seem to understand it. Inconsolable unless a titanic amount of distractions like ice cream and/or constant reassurance that he will play and have fun again just not right now. Etc. He doesn't have consistent sentences when speaking, so his communication is an issue that causes immense frustration for him and us. It's upsetting knowing he's intelligent enough to understand what's going on but seems to have a speech dyslexia. We're lucky enough to have support from SEND so hopefully we will get through this mutual fog soon. If your son has no problems with talking, especially considering he had hearing issues, then he's probably absolutely fine and simply a healthy, imaginative little boy exploring and enjoying learning about the world around him.

Muddays · 09/03/2023 07:30

My son has just had his 5th birthday, so is obviously older. I should have mentioned that.

MamaAl27 · 09/03/2023 07:33

Your son sounds the absolute sweetest boy ❤️ you have done an amazing job! He is slightly delayed with his speech but will say “mummy pass the car to me please” and when we get in the car after I’ve picked him up from daycare he will say “going home to see daddy” but will also echo a lot but unsure if that’s just him learning or a wider picture of something else xx

OP posts:
Muddays · 09/03/2023 09:15

You sound like the most wonderful mother and no matter what the future holds, the love you both have for each other will really be all that will ever matter. Some kids are just slower 'developers' than their peers in obvious ways but are extraordinary in others. He's a very lucky child to have such a strong and loving mum. You're going to be just fine xx

Muddays · 30/03/2023 03:02

I must let you know of a recent discovery that I've mentioned on another thread re autism. Please do check out 'Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew' by Ellen Notbohm, (3rd Edition). It's a lighthouse in the foggy ocean.

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