Maybe autism

[Mmikis]

Hi all. Our daughter possibly can be autistic she is nearly 2. As shows so many traits including hands flapping, tip toes, not always answering to the name. Very fussy eater. Not I reacting with 7 months old sister. She just started nursery last week. 2 hours 3 day a week. She is quite confident in there but not playing with another kids. Also don't eat in there. She also got speach delay waiting for app with speach therapist now. What's your advices with a child like that and how I can help her !!!!....

2 is quite young to get a firm diagnosis for autism but you can ask your GP for a referral to a paediatrician if you are concerned. It's worth having a chat with nursery to as if they also have concerns they can ask for education specialist to come in and observe / work with your child.
There's lots of help out there - autism West Midlands have a help and information line for families ( not sure what area you are in). However the main thing is work with your child's individual needs and don't pigeon hole them too early as you may find that they get a label that doesn't really fit them.

I don't label her. I know it's early age. She is not where she should be in her age. They did noticed that she is not answering to name. We do live in Midlands. Any advices how I can help her at home? Like is said she is not verbal yet .

I'm not a parent of a child with autism but have worked with children under 5 with autistic traits and their parents at home. Routine is very important and this can help with flash points like bed time, bath time, eating etc. If you stick to the same routine each time it will be less stressful for your child. As she has just started nursery ask if you can have some photographs of her at nursery and the key staff who work with her so that she can become familiar with them. Nursery generally tend to have a set routine so once she gets used to it that will help her.
You say she is a fussy eater - make a list of foods that she will eat - if you get more than 20 on your list then be reassured that her diet is varied enough.
Autism West Midlands are very helpful and I would suggest you get in touch with them and have a look at their website.

Can you ask for access to portage? They can doe into home and help you with ideas of things that work.

My suggestion would be very short bursts of interaction. Give her photos - eg biscuit, get her to give you photo - you give her piece of biscuit. Keep practicing. Try introducing photos for drinks, then favourite toys, then daily routine things. You can build up a way for her to communicate and if she will be one verbal she's likely yo start saying words on photo.

A good way to interact is to put some fun sensory type toys on floor. Copy her actions, or any noises she makes. The aim is that she'll start to respond to you. It's worth looking up intensive interaction.

Other than that let her be a toddler. Let her explore sand and water, run around a park or field, watch TBH if she wants etc. All these are valid learning experiences - whether her responses and play is the same as her peers or not.

Thanks for ideas. Anybody going through the similar things with their kids?

There is a special needs board on mumsnet - you should find helpful people there.

Speech therapists are often the first step in Diagnosis as they specialise in all forms of communication and interaction their reports are used by CDC's in helping form a diagnosis. In the meantime you've been given some good advice re routines etc.

I was told at my sons 2 year check up Autism. To be honest none of what you said screams autism to me, all kids are different and progress at different stages. If there are red flags health visitor will pick up on it and refer to portage and paediatrician, nursery will also be involved. You can go to your gp but to be honest I'd wait and see what's said by health visitor and nursery. If it is autism it can take years for a diagnosis and you have to tick a lot of boxes with a lot of different professionals so rushing to the gp won't really kick start anything.
There are questionnaires online you can fill out which can give you a better idea X

Help at home can be a bad thing, if you teach her and help her she might not get the help needed as she'll be seen as OK at home so write down everything you put in place and how it helps her.
Use makaton and repeat words. Visual routine and picture cards will help communication X

Not all areas use Makaton in our borough its Signalong alongside PECS so if your thinking of signing check what your schools will use.