Autism - maybe?

[steph007]

Hi all,
not sure I'm posting in the right section but thought I could turn to my lovely fellow Mumsnetters first - I'm still a bit in shock after being told yesterday that my younger girl (2 and a half) may have autism (or do you say 'be autistic'?! I have so many questions this morning). She's yet to be properly diagnosed, but it is likely, although if so she's borderline - I don't have huge problems with her but some behaviour things are apparent. So i thought I'd just ask if anybody has any general advice, ideas on what happens next etc?
Thanks all

Steph

Hello, have you tried looking at the special needs board? I am mostly a lurker but my DS2 also has some autistic traits (although has been recently assessed and wasn't formally diagnosed). The Special needs MNers are a mine of really useful information. Good Luck

I have two children with autism.

Who told you that your dd might be autistic?

What happens next will depend on where you live and how far you've passed through the system already. Ideally your dd should be given a multi-disciplinary assessment where she is seen by a speech & language therapist (SALT), an occupational therapist (OT), a physiotherapist, a child psychiatrist and a paediatrician. The Paed then decides whether or not your dd needs a dx.

There's a range of things that can be tried to help with various behaviours but it's hard to suggest anything without more specific information.

Generally though, I would look at things like:

• Keeping your use of language simple to help your dd to understand instructions. So instead of "Can you go and get your coat on please, dd?" you would say "Dd coat."

• Visual timetables - these have pictures or symbols to show what is going to be happening next for your dd. It can reduce frustration if you have a child who needs to know what's coming next.

• Keep a basic diary of things that happen. Sometimes you can find a pattern or trigger for particular behaviours. Sometimes the trigger can be something seemingly insignificant, eg leaving the house via the 'wrong' door, or missing out a stage of a particular routine.

There are quite a few of us over on the Special Needs board. Feel free to come and join us.

Link to the SN board.

Thanks guys, am off to the SN board right now!!

Who has told you that your daughter might have autism? Is the person a health professional.

When my son was about the same age I had a pre school leader tell me that my son was autistic. I got incredibly upset. Infact the problem was that he was deaf with glue ear, but we went through incredible stress.

thanks, but yes it was a paediatrician, who did seem to know her stuff. But yes it's a concern that I'm not sure she is right, but on the other hand I do think she is, iyswim! Maybe every parent is in denial because you don't want anything to be wrong?