Overwhelmed

[excitednerves]

We are certain at this point that our little boy is autistic, however as he’s only 2, he won’t be referred for assessment here until he is almost 3. He’s having speech therapy - although we’ve only had 2 sessions over the phone so far, they haven’t seen him in person yet due to covid. The SLT sent me sheets of activities to do and whilst I’m 100% invested, my little boy has zero attention span and it’s really difficult to get him to settle to do any tasks. I’m changing how I talk etc (one or two word phrases, lots of repetition etc) too but SLT wants us to work on attention and imitation. I’m finding it really frustrating and often overwhelming. I panic about what I’m actually achieving with him and whether I’m impacting his future by not getting him to settle and therefore make progress.

I’m doing lots of reading but feel like I’m not achieving much. Has anyone who has been through this got any advice?

Hello excitednerves - does your little one imitate at all? Does he say any words?

Hi @Sunshinejoll thank you for responding. No, no imitation, no words a d not really any gestures although he will take me by the hand if he needs something.

I just feel like parents are just left to crack on with things and there’s not a lot of support, even when everyone agrees the likely outcome.

I’m lucky and very grateful to have a happy, healthy boy. He seems perfectly contented. I’m just worried I’m not doing enough for him.

Hi - I have been where you are and the good thing is that you are starting early. My son was 3 and he wouldn’t sit still or copy. So each day I tried for a few minutes doing something and reiterating the word copy to him whilst also showing him what to do until one day he got it. Fast forward 2 years and he is at school and whilst behind with speech and language he is speaking and starting to read and write. No one helped me - all SLT/ABA therapy etc were useless because they were only highlighting things I was already doing. It was really hard at the time but it did pay off somewhat. My advice is hang in there, you are doing an amazing job that you are searching for ways to help. If you can find something he likes to give him the motivation to copy? For my son it was smarties - he learnt colours and counting with these and got to eat them after! Sending you best wishes and luck x

@Sunshinejoll thank you so much. We just have to keep trying. I’m so glad your son is doing well now. X