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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

Autistic traits in 3yo

8 replies

dextermorgan00 · 05/07/2021 12:14

Hi we went to see the Paedtrician recently who said my 3.3 yo boy is showing traits of autism. My sons main issue is that he's only saying single words but also a cause for concern is

Limited interest in pretend play
No pointing
Gazes off into space at times (not too often)

Paedtrician said he WILL speak when he needs to. Was speaking briefly to our SALT today who said we need to try and motivate him more as he does say words when he's excited as she has seen this herself.

But like I replied to her, I can't spend all day trying to excite him and school will be the same. So he he only ever going to talk when he's excited? Is he going to not speak much at all?

Anyone have any experience in my situation would be great to chat

OP posts:
Original poster
dextermorgan00 · 05/07/2021 16:57

Anyone

OP posts:
Ellie56 · 06/07/2021 11:35

When our son with autism was 3, he had virtually no language, no social skills, exhibited bizarre behaviour and regularly had meltdowns.

When he went to school at 5, he still had poor language skills, no social skills and had no idea how to behave. He regularly lay down in assembly, refused to co operate in class and used to hit the staff and other children.

He was not diagnosed with autism until he was nearly 8. He had SLT until he was 9 and then they discharged him from the service as "there was nothing more they could do for him." Hmm I thought this was as good as he would ever be.

He would talk at people and could not keep a conversation going to save his life.

When he went to a specialist college at the age of 21, he started having regular SLT again. The progress he made was amazing.

We now have proper conversations, he has learnt to say, "No," and become more assertive. (He was a real people pleaser before and used to say what he thought people wanted to hear.) And In his final term at college, he was asked to take part in a promotional video for the college, as he was considered to be one of their success stories.

Original poster
dextermorgan00 · 06/07/2021 11:50

So does he not say much at 21?

OP posts:
Ellie56 · 06/07/2021 12:23

Yes but not as much as he does now. He never started conversations although he would ask for things, answer questions, and he would tell you things about his special interest. (There were lots of those.)

With (very good)support he was able to function in a mainstream school up to age 16. It all started falling apart in mainstream FE.

Is your son having regular SALT?

Original poster
dextermorgan00 · 06/07/2021 12:29

Yes he is and we saw the Paedtrician on Friday upon her referral (the salt referred us)

OP posts:
Adriana87 · 18/07/2021 11:49

@Ellie56

When our son with autism was 3, he had virtually no language, no social skills, exhibited bizarre behaviour and regularly had meltdowns.

When he went to school at 5, he still had poor language skills, no social skills and had no idea how to behave. He regularly lay down in assembly, refused to co operate in class and used to hit the staff and other children.

He was not diagnosed with autism until he was nearly 8. He had SLT until he was 9 and then they discharged him from the service as "there was nothing more they could do for him." Hmm I thought this was as good as he would ever be.

He would talk at people and could not keep a conversation going to save his life.

When he went to a specialist college at the age of 21, he started having regular SLT again. The progress he made was amazing.

We now have proper conversations, he has learnt to say, "No," and become more assertive. (He was a real people pleaser before and used to say what he thought people wanted to hear.) And In his final term at college, he was asked to take part in a promotional video for the college, as he was considered to be one of their success stories.

I would be very interested where you went for SLT. Our son is 4, can read somewhat, knows math but his speech is well behind. His speech therapy classes have done very little to help to be completely honest. I feel like he has the ability to be fully conversational but it's just nailing down the eight approach. Did you go private?
annieannietomjoe · 20/07/2021 22:16

My DS (ASC) wasn't saying much at 3, he only started to say mummy and papa (dad french) when he was just past 2...he will not stop talking now...mostly about dinosaur facts and information about the human body, he will be 5 in September. You never know what will happen but I would say that it's great that your DS is saying some words and that's a fab place to start (even if it doesn't feel like a fab place to start). There is so much advice around but you can only do what you can do so try not to put too much pressure on yourself.

Things that helped in our house was a white bored and the attention bucket - really great way to get them to engage and you can use lots of language around it which is fun. Only takes 10 mins as well to do. Also, any games (crocodile dentist/pop up pirate) as again you can use lots of language, DS turn, mum turn, what colour sword, I would like the red sword ect

Good luck - it's a tough time waiting for language and wondering where it will all end up!

Ellie56 · 25/07/2021 14:03

@Adriana87

Sorry only just seen your question. Our son had SLT through the NHS but this was over 20 years ago. I was also given stuff to do with him at home.

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