What could this be?

[rainbowfairydust]

Hi, I'm hoping someone might read this and relate to the difficulties my son is experiencing. We had him privately assessed after problems at school from year 2, they diagnosed Autism but they did struggle to find something to tick off for the repetitive or restrictive interests (so I'm wondering if it could be something else)
The thing that keeps standing out to me is that my son struggles to recall some simple details, and I relate to this too and have the exact same problem. Sometimes it can take me an extra few seconds to recall something very simple like what year we are in, the name of a road/shop if I haven't thought about it, before someone asks me the question.
Today my son was telling me about how he enjoyed literacy because it was about a topic he enjoyed, but he couldn't recall the area that it featured, he knew it was 2 words and an island but he couldn't remember the exact name. He was also was mid sentence and just couldn't get this 1 word out or recall the word he wanted to say ...I ended up guessing the word and he knew instantly it was that.... Occasionally I struggle with this too, almost as if because it isn't a common word, I can't instantly recall it. Pronounciation is a big thing too for us both, unless it's a common word, I can struggle to pronounce it, yet my spelling is pretty good... My partner on the other hand laughs at how I can't pronounce some things but his spelling of simple words is awful.
I'm just wondering if we are missing something as although we have an ehcp focused around Autism, it almost feels like we are missing something to do with recalling information which makes him anxious about his school work and gives him low self esteem. I have thought about Add or Adhd but because I can also relate to the recalling of information and Pronounciation (but I don't feel like add or adhd fits for me) that there could be something else?
Things my son struggle with are:
Low self esteem
Reluctance to read aloud,
Strong dislike for literacy
Strong dislike for anything requiring effort or perseverance (unless he is really engaged with it)
A bit scatty with remembering things and organising things
Moodiness
Forgetting common words mid sentence
Struggles to recall information
Struggles to know where to begin with starting work, tackling work, needs to work with a partner for ideas or with a 1 to 1.

I know alot of these flag up for Autism but I'm wondering if the forgetting of words or recalling of info could be something else too? I struggle with this too and although I can relate to some of the common Autism traits, I don't feel like I tick off enough to have it ( I have done quite a few online tests too) I am now wondering if he also doesn't have Autism and if in fact it could be something else or a crossover of Add too?
Any insight would be appreciated if anyone can relate to these issues

I'm like this - possibly asd possibly dyspraxic, I can forget people's names I've known for years, it just suddenly goes out my head when I'm trying to remember, or things like the title of a book I'm reading, I can never remember it for some reason. I also have a real problem with keys, leaving them in the door or forgetting them. My son (asd and dyspraxia) is also the same. Maybe it's an executive functioning issue which is typical with asd.

Oh and his biggest trait is that he is so incredibly stubborn.... As am I... But I recognise this in myself now and can stop myself before I go down the route of being stubborn for no good reason!!

Oh yes Names and keys is a big thing for me too! Same for my son!

I'm a SENCo. It's sounds to me like it could be a word finding difficultly. The pattern you suggest seems to match with children who say 'thing/thingy' or click their fingers/tap them to get the word out. It's almost like they know the word but can't 'pull it forward' quickly in their brain to use their speech.

I would suggest speaking to the SENCo about it and ask the Speech Therapist to assess his word finding and level of vocabulary. This could be raised at his EHCP annual review if it's in the next term or so. It's something that can be well supported when children are young as their vocabulary is build and explicitly focused on.

I'm not sure it's just related to the word though, I think it's related to pulling that 'detail' out of the memory, especially if suddenly put on the spot, might be a bit of sudden pressure to recall a detail causing some anxiety to recall the info on demand. I Googled dyspraxia and although the memory and learning issues feel familiar (for us both) the balance and fine motor skills aren't a problem at all, he rides a bike really well and his strengths are throwing and catching balls, batting, sports, he writes neatly (although hates writing)
Perhaps it is all related to executive functioning which I didn't realise was related so easily to autism (often you think of social issues with autism as opposed to executive functioning)

Could it be Developmental Language Disorder?

My son has DLD - it is far more common than autism yet awareness is REALLY low. It honestly sounds like your lad might have it xx