4 year old could have autism

[nicolababe01]

Hello can someone help me in how I can go forward/ anywhere else with this so my 3 year old nearly 4 year old has shown the signs of autism since she was around 1 and a half, I've said things to my health visitor they just say her behaviour is normal ! . She doesn't share at all . She wants to play on her own . I took her to a circus and she was sat on floor and was covering her ears she, she even covers them in different places shops and says she don't like the noise she lines up toys sh me has lots of energy she gets really excited about silly things jumps up and down / Spins around has no sense of danger at all and don't listen to me any help I will appreciate I am sick of been told it's normal and just to carry on I have 2 younger kids I just want to do something so I can find ways of understanding her a lot better. If they is something there thank you!x

Hello @nicolababe01, can I ask a few questions?

Is DD in Nursery/preschool or with a CM? What do they say about her behaviour.

When is she 4?

And how's her speech and understanding?

Some practical things that might help with her in public are giving her sunglasses, a hat and some ear defenders. This will help to cut out some of the stimuli so that she's less likely to have a meltdown.

Shes 4 in July and nursery have noticed some things and talks really fast she stutters a lot, say like if I say put that toy away she just stands and looks at me and makes a big deal about picking it up

Ok so I'd do this SLT progress checker. It might raise a few concerns, don't worry. They will tell you if they think she needs some support with her Speech and Language.

Once you've done that. Speak to the HV again. If the progress checker above says that your DD needs some support then ask the HV to refer her for a hearing test and SLT. The Speech & Language Therapist will want your DD to have had a hearing test to rule out glue ear.

Also ask insist that the HV does the Ages & Stages assessment. You can download it and fill it on and take it to the appointment with you.

So that's potentially a hearing test, a referral to SLT and an Ages & Stages assessment that you need from the HV.

Don't be put off by her and let her tell you'll "we'll wait and see". Just be polite but firm and remind her that you've already had concerns for two and a half years and it's time she was assessed by Community Paediatrics.

Oh and come on over to the SN Children Section. There are lots of MNers in there who can help you to navigate the assessment process