Is ASD still worth investigating?

[Lynn1892]

So son had differences from being a baby, didn’t respond to name, very delayed speech, understanding, physical development amoungst other things. He started nursery they had the same concerns and we were referred to the paediatrician. Social communication assessment deemed there were some social communication difficulties so we are awaiting an ADOS assessment. Nursery and first year of school teachers saw signs and were all in agreement. Son has made huge progress since starting nursery and is now 6. He’s gone from teachers seeing what I see to starting a new class and the teacher literally saying there’s nothing wrong? We often get comments such as he’s a people pleaser, has anxiety and is sensitive but teacher does not believe he has autism.
At home he has melt downs following school, still repetitive, deep thinker, very sensitive. Doesn’t like noise, very beige eater, can be socially avoidant, worry’s in new situations, also hyper fixates on interests (what he can learn in a short space of time is phenomenal, still some language difficulties (amongst other things) but because at school he’s quiet and doing as he’s told and the teacher says he’s very clever I literally feel they think I’m mad. How can a child have full engagement from the school then have it stripped away? I feel he’s begun to learn to mask? He often doesn’t want to go to school and delays going in the mornings, ignores friends in the morning, complains so much about lunch time too. I’m finding it hard on what’s best to do? Has anyone had the same thing? Or can offer any advice?

The teacher doesn't seem to know much about ASD. Training in ASD awareness is still not compulsory for teachers, or he might have fast clicked through his online course. It's so sad that children often need to have violent meltdowns in school or refuse to attend school until someone accepts there is a problem.I hope the ADOS assessment happens soon. If you fear you are at the bottom of a years long waiting list, you can request to switch over to a Right to Choose provider.

I would continue the assessment process.

I would also request a meeting with the SENCO. The school should be providing support regardless of whether the current class teacher thinks DS has ASD or not. And “people pleaser, has anxiety and is sensitive” can be how some DC with ASD present at school. Just because the teacher doesn’t see it doesn’t mean DS isn’t autistic.

Lyn1982
This describes my nephew. He has been referred for autism assessment now at sge 12.