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Neurodiverse Mumsnetters

Use this forum to discuss neurodiverse parenting.

Anyone on here with a level 2 or 3 autistic child?

2 replies

samybooker · 03/02/2024 16:55

If so what was your child like as a baby/toddler? My little girl is 16 months. Doesn't crawl/walk or talk. She flaps and rocks. She has trouble with eye contact. Doesn't play with toys typically. Doesn't show me anything or interact with me. Doesn't like facing me when I pick her up. Doesn't like cuddles. Could be left with strangers and wouldn't care. Still on blended smooth foods as she can't bare textures. She's only 17lbs. We already have had her assessed and he said he can't diagnose her yet as she's too young and to wait till she's 2. Iknow she has autism bless her. I am just interested to know what your children were like this young and what they are like now? If they have progressed? Can they talk?

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Snickersnaps · 05/02/2024 01:39

Hi! Not mine, but my younger brother is level 3 autistic - he is completely non-verbal and as "severe" as it can get. He had little difficulties with crawling/walking, but he had no response to his name being called or saying "no" or any sort of shouting, we thought he was deaf very early on. He rocked a lot and held his hands together while swaying whenever he was excited. He also showed little to no interest in any sort of human interaction, and only got excited when there were flashing lights, bubbles, or something visually interesting happening. He was on soft foods for a similar amount of time as your little girl but soon moved on to be fine with fries and chicken nuggets (not the healthiest but all he would eat), which became the only solid foods he would eat for years. He was diagnosed just before he turned 3, he had said a few words at that point, but he soon decided he no longer wanted to speak at all and hasn't since, he's 17 now.
HOWEVER, I genuinely think his case is extremely rare, he is in a special needs school and has been held back 3 years.

I know people who have had kids who were similar to my brother when they were toddlers and then progressed to just have some social difficulties, fully able to speak. I think it is so hard to predict what they will grow up to be like. We're in a lot of autism support groups, and they can be really useful if you're having a hard time navigating it. I wouldn't worry or panic just now, slower development doesn't mean they are bound to be non-verbal forever. Sorry our story is such a downer - but just because he's non-verbal and in a bit of his own world, he's still a joy to be around, and he did become accustomed to cuddles eventually.

Wishing you love, I hope the doctors become a bit more helpful soon! Remember as well a diagnosis isn't the end of the world, there's so much support out there now.

samybooker · 05/02/2024 02:12

@Snickersnaps wow thank you for your detailed response. Bonnie sounds exactly the same as your brother. Bonnie does interact but only when you're singing a song she likes then she will look at me and smile. It's so hard to get her attention, she responds to her name sometimes but the majority of the time she doesn't. She does cry to be picked up and holds her arms out to me which is sweet but then doesn't like being held too long and pushes me away from her if it gets too much haha. She has only ever said mama when she is poorly which is very inconsistent. She loves kids more than adults. She definitely favours me over my husband which also gives me a little hope as she clearly knows I'm mama. I just get so scared of her future. Will she speak? Will I be able to have a conversation with my little girl? Will she understand how much I love her? Will I ever feel her love back! So many things.

It can be very isolating, I joined a group today on Facebook asking for guidance too xx

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