When did you first consider an autism assessment for your child?

[Wajeehakamran]

I’ve started noticing a few things about my child that have made me wonder about autism. They can struggle with changes, get overwhelmed by certain sounds or situations, and sometimes find social situations difficult.
At other times they seem completely fine and happy, so I’m not sure whether I’m reading too much into normal behaviour.
For parents who have been through this, what first made you consider an autism assessment?

It was part of the process of sorting out an EHCP due to ongoing additional needs in the classroom from Reception class onwards. The issues became progressively more noticeable and I was aware of several indicators of autism due to having worked in education. We paid for a private initial assessment, which indicated a likely diagnosis without being definitive, and then we were referred for an NHS assessment. The private initial assessment was in Year 2, and the NHS assessment was finally done about two years later in Year 4.

The social differences were the main thing that made it pretty obvious. Hyperfocus on a chosen topic, uninterested in playing with other children, really poor at picking up social cues from others etc.

About 2 and a half

When…never! Especially given what you have listed.

I’m not ASD but I am quite shy. I don’t like going into new situations either. Have you never been nervous going into the first day of a new job, going into a new classroom…

I did develop strategies to help myself though.

I think that considering an assessment would be reasonable @Wajeehakamran if your child is having issues in many situations, consistently, where other children would not. Beyond being shy or being nervous of new situations or similar typical responses to those situations.

We suspected autism from his toddler days, but it wasn’t until it started to affect our DS’s mental health in his teen years that an autism diagnosis became necessary. At Camhs he was given psychotherapy to help with his intrusive thoughts and anxiety while he underwent tests for autism. This was aged fifteen. Before then, we just supported him through any difficulties in school and home life as he didn’t require any massive adjustments to be made. It was the teen years where his autism started to cause more problems. Thankfully, the diagnosis and the support that has brought him means he’s now successfully attending university and flourishing.

Robbie williams has autism, if he can do it your child can do it aswell. I am optimistic.

Reduced eye contact, repetitive behaviours are some of the noticeable changes. Still regulating behaviors and an early assessment could be helpful.