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

Suggestion of autism

4 replies

Potofgoldfish · 26/02/2025 22:04

My four year old son has a speech delay, and as he couldn't sit still to take part in SALT, the therapist suggested we try OT first. After ten sessions with my son she suggested he have an assessment for autism. This has come as a complete shock. I thought ADHD was prob going to be mentioned but not autism. He makes lots of eye contact, is great socially while also being well able to read a room. He's bright in that he finds ways to communicate around his speech issues, can get a joke and is very funny himself. He has no sensory issues and not rigid in terms of routine. This is all based on what I have googled today about autism! I hope I am not offending, I just had a different idea about what autism is. He Def does his own thing at school and doesn't sit often with the group. He's very boisterous but it's always in fun and he hardly ever has a tantrum. They said he is rigid in that he only plays with certain toys, and not taking part in group stuff, happier to play on his own. However, we do play dates with kids and my son is very socially engaged. At the playground he's always keen to join in with other kids.

I'm not sure why I'm posting. I'm a solo mum, no family nearby, and cried my eyes out today, and just need to reach out.

OP posts:
StrivingForSleep · 26/02/2025 22:44

Whether it is ASD, ADHD, both, or neither, it sounds like further assessment is a good idea, so it is brilliant this has been raised. Many services don’t assess for ADHD at 4, anyway. Nothing you mention rules out autism.

Was the OT you saw a sensory integration specialist? Because the not being able to sit still and appearing to be boisterous can be related to sensory needs.

Potofgoldfish · 26/02/2025 22:59

@StrivingForSleep thank you for replying!

No, I don't think she is a sensory specialist. It's a place I found that has great reviews and use horse movement therapy. My son loves animals...so that's why I chose it. The more I read about autism today the more confused I am. I guess the GP and then assessment is the best step. I think I just want to know that it's possible for my kid to thrive. He's my world and I think he's just the best little human. I've learned so much about animals through him! 🥰 And he's just so full of joy and fun, I don't want life to be extra hard for him. We've had a tough road together already, and I wasn't expecting that today x

OP posts:
StrivingForSleep · 26/02/2025 23:21

It would be worth reading about sensory processing difficulties. There is far more to it than the stereotypical not liking certain textures , certain clothes or loud noises, and DC can DC who don’t show the stereotypical difficulties can still have sensory processing difficulties.

Wingingitnancy · 27/02/2025 17:59

I second reading up on sensory processing difficulties. My DD has sensory differences, I (ignorant at the time) presumed sensory was being sensitive with senses so made no connection..but i now know it can also be the opposite, in needing a lot of sensory stimulation in certain senses. So when she was boisterous and hurt herself, it was because she was craving specific feeling that she can't acquire through normal means.

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