My DS is 21 months and showing traits of ASD. To clarify, my brother was diagnosed with ASD age 4 (now an adult) and I was always aware there would be an increased chance of my own DC having ASD.
We had a traumatic birth and my DS was unwell for his first year of life, spending lots of time in hospital etc. In the last 6 months, I’ve noted a number of traits. I have recently discussed this with my parents and sister (who is a childrens nurse) and they all shared that they had noticed some traits also but didn’t know how to raise this with me.
My sons language is non-existent - he babbles and makes noises but no words. He will occasionally try and mimic a word he hears someone say, but will likely forget it by the following day, and there is no understanding. He does not have any understanding of basic words (like cup, mummy or garden - words we use every day). He will not look if we point at something and does not do things such as being us toys to show us or look at our faces/expressions as a point of reference in different situations.
Eye contact has always been very limited even when speaking to him. He will not look to mine or my partners face when we try and talk to him. He never responds to his name or if we talk and he is in the same room.
He has strong reactions to certain foods. Jelly makes him physically retch, and he will not eat anything cold at all. The foods he will eat are becoming more restricted over time but he will mainly only eat beige, crunchy foods (toast, crisps, crackers). He becomes upset if anything of a soft or wet texture touches him (such as yoghurt) or touches any food on his plate.
He is very sensitive to loud noises, and will scream and cry. He has always been fearful of any toys which have lots of lights and sound. He hates lots of people or busy places.
He shows no interest in other children when out and about, or anyone really. He does not smile often, and certainly doesn’t smile socially. More so if he is engaged in an activity he likes.
He shows stimming behaviours, flapping his hands and arms when he is excited or stressed and overwhelmed. He also has began twirling and head banging.
He doesn’t engage with toys like I see other children do at groups. He will sit and examine parts of a toy, such as the wheel of a scooter he will sit spinning rather than trying to ride it. He likes waving toys in front of his eyes, back and forth in repetitive motions. He is showing no signs of imaginative play, preferring to line or stack toys up or move them in repetitive motions.
He is our first child but regularly take him to groups and out and about to socialise with other children. We have always read to him and engaged in activities to support his development. He sat, crawled and walked in line with expected developmental ages.
I am aware he is not even 2 and I certainly do not feel there is a ‘need’ for any labels but I am keen to access support and any type of Early intervention, such as SALT, to ensure as a family we are supporting him as best as possible. I have taken the M-Chat screen online just to try and gain more of an objective overview and it has said the answers I gave indicated high risk.
Just to add, he isn’t in nursery or any form of childcare at present. We are incredibly fortunate to have grandparents providing care whilst myself and partner work.
I am taking him to a drop in clinic with the HV tomorrow to see if I can get the ball rolling but would love some advice on how best to approach this. I am worried I will be dismissed as these are ‘typical toddler behaviours’. Whilst I am aware some of the things he is showing are typical, I do think altogether, it could be indicative of him requiring a little extra support.
Has anyone been through a similar experience? Any advice or own experiences would be really appreciated. I just want to make sure DS has everything he needs to thrive.