ASD in toddlers.... Advice or opinions?!

[Graysonsmummy21]

Hiya, so my 18 month old son is showing alot of traits of asd. Spinning things, humming (morning till night) arm flapping, non-verbal, tip-toe walking, doesn't respond to his name, doesn't interact with other children, very limited eye contact. I have spoke with his health visitor but she is saying this could be normal with his age?! Any advice on where I could take this next or get further help? Thank you.

Go through the MCHAT screening questionnaire and then go back to your HV with the results and push hard for the appropriate referrals.

Be prepared to be a very squeaky wheel, all these services are chronically underfunded and they will try to fob you off if you let them.

Maybe go to your Gp see if they can refer you to mosaic. X

Molliciousintent- thank you didn't know I could do that off my own back I've just been told to wait until his 2.5 development check. But I think that's what they are trying to do is fob me off, will definitely check that out thank you.

Allboysherebutme- I was thinking about contacting the gp but when I spoke with my hv they told me that there isn't any referrals that can be made until his development check so wasn't sure that would be any help.

You may need to go private, just to warn you.

Dd was diagnosed at 2.5. There were obvious signs from birth in hindsight. She didn't have all those typical traits though. We started the process at 2 when she still had no language

Yeah I am basically being told to wait until he's 2.5 for his check but that's a while away so just wondering if I could maybe get anywhere before that. The sooner the better

I know it's not yet but the check should be between 2-2.5 years so you could get it sooner. But yes you need to push things, they like to work to their existing targets for the population, not in the best interests of individual children, which is not great when you are after help right now

What outcome are looking for? I mean beyond knowing the diagnosis what are you trying to achieve/access? Lots an be done without diagnosis and no harm will come with treating him like he has ASD if he doesn’t.

Whether the GP can do a referral or not depends on where you live. In Suffolk the process has changed and GPs can no longer do this.

Ignore the HV they are useless on this issue. Are they in nursery? The SENCO can support. Self refer to speech and language too and they can make all the appropriate referrals. Do not stick to HV timeline, IME with a 2.7yead old with obvious autism, the HV was less than useless.

Here you can self refer for, hearing, eyesight, speech and language so get that started. If they all come back you are a jump ahead when you do get referred.

@Graysonsmummy21 how's your little one now? My 19 month old does all these things and I've also been told the same thing from HV!

Nephew was diagnosed before he was 2.5. Health visitor pushed for assessment when he hadn’t progressed between the 12 and 18 month checks. My sister had to push for it. He has ARFID as well but has been told all toddlers are fussy and to wait till he is 5 to assess that.

Heya.. he's doing fine thank you 😊 he's still definitely got signs of autism. If anything there is a lot more. But as started baby babbling. Still got to wait for an official diagnosis but they told me also it wouldn't be until he is 5. But he is on the right track now... And waiting on a appointment. X