Hi. I was wondering if anyone with experience of this would be able to help me. My DS was privately diagnosed with Autism earlier this year at three years old. He is academically bright but struggles socially and emotionally. He is well behaved at nursery.
My DS spent the first nine months crying going into nursery. He now goes in but hides behind parents and initially refuses to talk to caregivers. I can see my DS struggles with anxiety going in.
In nursery my DS can have a conversation with selected peers and other caregivers. There is however a marked difference between how he presents at nursery and at home. At home he shows many signs of ADHD and talks excessively whilst at nursery he is described as quiet. At nursery caregivers report that sometimes they have to stand really close to him to understand what he is saying. He will often say he doesn’t know to questions when he does know but if questions are scaffolded more he can answer. He can advocate his needs at nursery, for example can ask to go to the toilet.
At a recent open day for his primary school (with parents) he completely blanked a teacher who was asking him questions. I’m starting to think about primary school where I worry he will be lost and also if his anxiety will start to mask his abilities and affect him socially.
Would my child fit the diagnosis for selective/situational mutism or because when he becomes more familiar he talks, (albeit quietly and less often than at home) will be classed as ok? My DS has an appointment with SALT soon but I’ve been told it will be Ed psychologist who would be involved for mutism. I don’t know if there is anything to help children like my son. It’s hard to know whether I should be pushing for more support ( nursery were reluctant to even do him a PLP) I know there will be children with a lot more severe needs than mine but I fear because my son is quiet and well behaved he will fall through the gaps of support.
Thanks for any advice or experiences.