2yo with suspected autism has first paediatric opthalmology appointment

[TooBusyGazingAtStarss]

... and I am freaking out. There was no leaflet to say what to expect or whats going to happen. Its at midday so right when he has his nap too.
He doesn't speak. Doesn't understand.
If i call to change the time they will most likely have to move it months away..
I'm just so anxious about everything about it!
When the HV referred him for suspected autism, we're still waiting for that appointment 9 months later, he got referred for hearing which he's had two tests and they didn't go great because he doesn't like people messing with his ear.. hows it going to work with eyes? And he's going to be a screaming mess because its when he usually has his nap!

What do I do?

Phone them to check but i would imagine they will want to put eye drops in to be able to properly check them. These will take about 40 minutes to work so expect to be waiting around. (We now get them in advance to put in before we go which may be worth considering if it’s going to be a regular thing)

i don’t suppose you have any chance of getting them into him while he sleeps?

if you can take another adult with you to help I would. Good luck!

Thanks for your reply!
I don't even think he will let me get drops into his eyes. Whenever he's had a eye infection before, ive had to get the thick ones so something stays in. Otherwise its just a mess of eye drops everywhere!

I would 100% benefit from having someone else with me but my only option for assistance that day will be looking after my 3 year old..

:(

The hospital should have play specialists so ask for them to be available. From my experience they are a godsend for parents as well as children

The drops are to dilate his eyes and work pretty quickly. They aren't like an antibiotic that has to stay in the eye.

If you can manage to hold him when they put them in it will be ok.

Sounds challenging but nothing the hospital won't have dealt with before. Ring reception, ask for a play specialist and ask to move the appointment earlier in the day/ or to take any cancelled appointments.

Then be kind to yourself, be prepared for the appointment with drinks and snacks for both of you and some distraction toys.

I've had to do so many appointments with my autistic son (4.5) that have been really hard. There's only so much you can do if he is resisting it. If you have to hold him really tightly and he is upset of course it's going to be really stressful but keep reminding yourself it's to help him and you can breathe such a relief when it's over. You'll manage x

A big blanket to wrap him in may help too, means you can keep his arms comfortably in when your hugging him

Also work on social scenarios of what the hospital is like if he hasn't been before and maybe find a children's show that shows what happens at a normal opticians so that he is at least a tiny bit familiar.

Thanks everyone for your replies and suggestions.
Never heard of a play specialist before so I'll give that one a go.
I just panic so bad in these sorts of situations because even a check up at the doctors is difficult and this is so much more.
I can't even explain so he understands and it breaks my heart

Hey I hope you don't mind me asking

Did you notice any signs before your baby was 1? I have a few concerns and just wondered if they're early signs.
Lack of eye contact when up close being the main one

@Chzm just note anything unusual down in the red book and kept it safe. There is really very little that can be done at such a young age. And of course look to rule out physical issues with an eye test.

I'd start saving as well so that if you do need to go for assessment when closer to school age you will have the choice of going private ~£2.5k, or waiting on the NHS ~3-4 year wait.

So I would say the signs before 1 are pretty limited. But by 2 you could definitely tell.

Limited eye contact, if any, by that point, amongst a lot of other things.

But I didn't notice much before 1.

Since my post, he has received his ASD diagnosis.