Could my child be gifted, autistic or something else?

[Kaandii]

I apologise if this is a long post but im a little desperate for some outside opinions. Im growing increasingly concerned about my 6 year old son and don't know if he could potentially be gifted, autistic or something else.
He is in primary 3 (equivalent of year 2 I think) and has been having some issues at school regarding his behaviour. I've had to leave work or numerous occasions to collect him because he is throwing things, running around and generally being unsafe. It seemed to get a little better when he was working one to one with a pupil support assistant but there were still a couple of 'slips'. He was back in class full time for three days, but again I had to pick him up early today. I have no problems with him at home, he is so well behaved, kind and helpful.
He is alone at break times and doesn't have any friends in his class, he tends to want to interact with the older kids, and was rather upset on the last day of school when the older kids left for high school. Myself and the school are concerned about his lack of social interactions but nothing is really being done to facilitate this.
He is great at reading, currently reading harry potter by himself at home, and in the highest reading group at school. He is phenomenal at maths, doing age 9-10 workbooks at home and was doing extra work at school last year with a primary 5 (year 4) teacher. The school said they were going to assess his maths level months ago but I still haven't heard anything other than that he has a lot of great skills that others his age don't have. I don't know if I should be more persistent with them or just pursue another route.
We've done a bunch of online IQ tests, which I know may not be totally accurate, but he consistently scores over 120, and he has asked to do more because they are fun.
He's always been a bright child in my opinion and has always had a particular fascination with numbers and maths. After a lot of google research I still don't know whether he could be gifted or autistic, as it can often be very hard to tell the difference.
Is it worth taking him to the doctors? Or a specialist of some sort? Or am I just being paranoid?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Info re sensory issues,
www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/social-care/disabilities/docs/young-people/Making%20Sense%20of%20Sensory%20Behaviour.pdf?v=201507131117

See the school SENCO and ask if they are going to refer him for Ed Psych and CCH and ask them for a timescale. Ask if there's a waiting list and if so how long is it.

He does sound clearly gifted, possibly quite highly so. It also sounds like there may be something else going on, but nothing you've said is particularly specific to autism.
The running around and unsafe behaviour could just be arising from frustration and under-stimulation but also might indicate an attention issue. The obvious test the school could do (but probably won't) is to give him significantly more challenging work (i.e. 2+ years higher) and see if the behaviour improves.
As others have said, you do need a psychologist assessment - educational or clinical.
It would be worth being aware of Dabrowski's overexcitabilities.
and also twice-exceptionality
Sensory issues can arise from sensory processing difficulty, or sensory overexcitability, or a combination of the two. The best placed specialist to assess sensory issues is an OT with sensory integration training (not a SALT or SENCO).
In Scotland there is legal recognition of high ability as a special need and you should in principle be able to negotiate an individual education plan (IEP) . There is some information here
You are unlikely to get much insight from your GP or the headteacher or SENCO. I would suggest pushing the school to get an ed psych assessment done ASAP or paying for one yourself if you can manage it.

As the PP said, if funds allow I would get an education psych report asap, ideally from someone with lots of experience of giftedness and dual exceptionalities. And go from there.

He sounds clearly gifted, but knowing his abilities in more detail, and how far they deviate from the norm, will enable a proper conversation with school.

There are possible ASD indicators but only a professional can advise whether it's ASD or a massively frustrated very bright and asynchronously developing child - could be either.

I very much agree with the advice of previous posters with regard to appropriate assessments. I just wanted to say that I would also prioritise finding a different school. Any school thinking it is okay to send a child home as you describe really isn't the place for your son (as pp have said it is illegal). In turn I would suggest they will be slow in referring him to specialist help - more likely to push on and keep sending him home. If a change of school isn't possible you need to go in - start with the problem about sending him home (ipsea - will tell you what to say - you can google). Make a stand and then move onto the other things he needs. I did this with my sons Secondary school and things changed (slowly but for the better).

OP please call Enquire. They’re the Scottish national parent advice line for additional support needs. They’ll talk you through your DS’s rights and what avenues are open to you, or should be and how to approach everything.

They’re all lovely people (I may be biased) and they’ve heard it all before so they’ll have brilliant advice. Open Monday-Friday office hours.

We’re so lucky to have them. Www.enquire.org.uk and tel: 0345 123 2303.

We were in a similar boat to you when ds was 6. The presentation at school got worse and worse with more collections, then exclusions and then a reduced timetable etc. Lots of assessments and waiting and then we found out that he is both autistic and profoundly gifted.

He's bright, funny, articulate and social but can not cope with the sensory and social demands of a mainstream school without flipping out. He spent a year at home and is finally back at school at a specialist autism school. It's taken over 2 years from where we were similar to your post so I wouldn't delay in getting assessments.

In England that would be a illegal exclusion. Totally illegal. In England you would have every right to ask to start ehcp assessment as the school clearly can not meet needs. If you was to pursue that you would get it, but again here it can be a bit more work than just asking.

I have a dyspraxic child with a IQ of 150 in a sen school. I also have a extremely bright son who refuses school. The educational psychologist said she has never met such a bright child, yet hes to anxious to attend school most days.

Having ASD and being bright isn't mutually exclusive. But there are many things like add, etc. You need a ep and referral to paediatrician.

If it's anything above just a bored bright child then the earlier the intervention the better. Besides your child has a right to a full time education, which hes not getting

Was he early to read at all, OP?

My son had (still has, actually) a speech delay which was ringing alarm bells for autism for me before the age of two. But he didn’t have any glaring red flags that HCPs look for in young children, so I spent a long time never quite sure whether he was going to end up with a diagnosis or not.

Long story short he taught himself to read. First demonstrated it a few months before he turned 4. He’s quite exceptional with numbers too. It’s hyperlexia, goes hand in hand with autism. That’s when I realised it really was ASD.

That is so bad the school are sending him home OP, I'm sorry you're going through this you worry enough about your children without having to worry about no support from the school. I think you should ask them to send him for assesment he may have a special need as highly intelligent children often do. He may have adhd which would account for the hyper behaviour, it is so common now but you can receive so much help for if hes diagnosed. I think it would put your mind at ease to have him assesed he maybe just attention seeking or to ahead intellectually than his peers but it will definitely put your mind at ease. Hugs to you x

My son is 11 now and was diagnosed asd at 6. He presented in much the same way as your son. I moved his primary school to one which was more inclusive which made a huge difference. We saw the Gp who referred to the paediatrician who asked for asd referral. You have to be fairly assertive to get anywhere I’m afraid. Just keep asking! My sons diagnosis has really helped us to manage his behaviour and he is an incredibly bright child who just needed a few tweaks to do well at school. X

Make an appointment with your GP and explain the situation. Ask to be referred to an Educational Psychologist. The will assess your son. I am not sure about an IQ test for children under 10, however this may be possible. It could be that he is not challenged at school, leading to bad behaviour.
I hope this helps, and all the best for you and your bright son!!