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

DS3 might have autism/sen?

3 replies

BC67 · 22/10/2025 12:53

Speech therapist asked today if we wanted to refer DS3 for a social communication / autism assesment but I’m not convinced if it’s needed. The balls very much in our court so I’m interested to know others thoughts.

Our DS:

  • speaks mainly in 3-4 word sentences. Has a good vocabulary and understanding but often reverts back to simple sentences he knows. As a result, his language today in front of the speech therapist was a bit repetitive e.g X toy is eating, X toy is hiding
  • is sensory seeking, mouths objects when tired, jumps on the sofa
  • has trouble sitting still when having to take turns. For example, he will spin on the spot when waiting during his sports class and can be quite disruptive to the lesson
  • doesnt always respect others personal space / boundaries, e.g we told him daddy’s friend was coming over who he’d never met before and the first thing he did was give him a hug and then was climbing all over him
  • asks the same questions even when he knows the answer, e.g where is friend’s name? When he knows they’re on holidays.
  • can concentrate on independent play for 10-15 mins
  • prefers to free play with others than by himself. However doesn’t seem to enjoy structured play as much. E.g wasn’t very interested in the library’s rhyme time preferring to play with toys instead.
  • loves pretend play and is quite flexible with it and open to your input. Has started to pretend his hands are the characters if we don’t have the requisite toys
  • Is popular and well liked at nursery, has some ‘best friends’ but is also happy to play with children he doesn’t know as well
  • plays properly with toys, doesn’t spin wheels etc
  • has trouble memorising things, e.g only just learnt to count to 10 and can’t recount any books or nursery rhymes word to word
OP posts:
flawlessflipper · 22/10/2025 14:03

I would agree to the referral.

24Dogcuddler · 23/10/2025 15:58

Totally agree with PP.
The Speech and Language Therapist is a qualified professional giving her recommendation.
This will have been based on so much more than the words he used. They will have considered receptive language skills, processing time, intonation and social interaction.
Early intervention is key and can make such a difference. Waiting lists can be long.
His needs will remain the same whether you explore a diagnosis or not. If you agree you will be helping yourselves and others to understand his individual needs.
I know it may not have been what you were expecting.

UnicornSchool · 24/10/2025 21:06

I'd take the referral. My ds 3 has ASD and ADHD and to meet him you wouldnt know it initially as it isnt obvious (to non professional).

he is very articulate, imaginative, socially motivated.... and thwnlist goes on

However many positive and challenging things we thought were "just him" are actually ASD traits..we just didnt know.

It's now much more empowering to know and educate ourselves to try and understand and help him navigate. Im a better mum to him and my 2 other neuro typical children because of needing to learn and adapt.

Earlier the better in my view. You can advocate for him and your family as a whole will adapt as he grows up...

Best of luck

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