How did you know your child had ADHD/autism

[Irishmam2002]

Hi all, looking for some advice.
I have a beautiful son, 7.5, he’s always been a very sensitive lad. I thought he’d grow out of it but he seems to be getting more sensitive.
He’s bright, very creative, empathetic, never had problems with food. Never had issues with eye contact

Things like this are common for my son-

Hates being in large groups
Hates noise
Doesn’t like lots of people talking at once
Gets overwhelmed easily, lots of sensory issues. We cannot go bowling for example, too many things happening around him, too much noise.
Very clingy with both me and his dad, doesn’t like to be apart from us for a long time
Loves being at home, it’s like home is his safe space. He takes a while for all the big feelings to come out once he’s home.
Hates tags in tops, or clothes that feel funny
He cries a lot, about various things.
He hates the idea of growing up as he wants to stay young forever- the thought of growing up is scary for him.

As a mother, I just KNOW something isn’t “right”, but his teachers have all said they have no concerns at all, they said (and obviously I am happy with this), that he’s a sensitive , quiet, happy boy in school. But as they see no concerns, I can’t get anywhere with a referral.

I have told myself that he’s just sensitive for years now, and will always be sensitive (and there is nothing wrong with that), but if he does have a condition, then I want to give him all the tools needed for him to have a happy and fulfilled life

Is this in my head?

I knew something was different with my DD from a young age but had my concerns dismissed by HV and School.

Eventually we got a referral from the GP.

You could try talking to Caudwell Children or your School Nurse Service see if either of them they have any advice

I knew before my DC was 1 something was different. Not in an obvious way that anyone else would of noticed, and generally people don't notice now anyway! It's only when DC drops their guard and stops masking you'd notice anything.
So it's not like my DC had anything obvious from a baby, it was just one particular thing DC became obsessed with. It's still not obvious now years later, apart from to very close family.
But our health visitor and nursery nurse spent 12 months working with us first then supported a referral being done.

The best thing I did, was parent like my child has ADHD/ASD regardless of a diagnosis. I parent the way my children need me to, and a diagnosis is a formality to us. I do still find a pull to parent the way I'm 'supposed' to, especially in public.

Depending where you live, I know several councils have their own online dedicated ND online support areas, there's lots of advice out there but it's about finding processes/solutions and work arounds for your particular child.

In regards to not being able to get a referral, you can sometimes go via your GP but I'd spent a couple months keeping an accurate diary of things first so your GP can see patterns, triggers, that kind of thing as it entirely depends what GP you end up with to how the appointment goes.