Would a nursery notice if child was autistic or neurodivergent?

[G172125]

I’ve had some concerns about my nearly 4 year old son since he was about six months old. I noticed early on that he would avoid eye contact if anyone spoke to him and would try to turn his head all the way around to avoid looking at them. He started to say words around 1 years old and could babble along with nursery rhymes. This suddenly stopped and he didn’t start to speak again till age 2-3 and he is still behind his peers with he’s speech. He has a speech therapist who has recently seen him and she says he passed the understanding part of her assessment but is missing the ending of some words a lot and is unable to pronounce some sounds. She also said he is nasally pronouncing some sounds. He has had frequent ear infections but has had an hearing test which he passed. He has been in nursery for nearly six months now but still has no friends and will get upset if any of the children or there parents say hello to him, he will also try to turn his head around so he can’t see them. He has become attached to one of the teachers and is always with her or he will play by himself. He will watch other children play but won’t join in. He gets distressed going in to nursery and has a repetitive routine of stepping over obstacles and touching wind chimes and looking in mirrors which he does everyday on the way to and from nursery. He will get upset if he doesn’t do this. He has become resistant to wearing any clothes that are new and will get distressed if I try to put them on him. He has also become really sensitive to strong smells like cooking food. He has no problem with eye contact at home and is affectionate and can pretend play on he’s own at home. My other children are shy but it seems something more with my youngest. I really thought nursery would pick up on his behaviours once he had started but they haven’t really said anything other then he seems anxious going in to nursery. I don’t have much knowledge of autism or SENDS and I’m not sure if I should bring my concerns up the nursery because they haven’t said anything

I'd suggest you bring it up. Sometimes nurseries notice possible symptoms but don't know how to broach it with parents

Not necessarily.

I would speak to the nursery and also the HV if you are concerned.

Tbh a good nursery would absolutely bring it up if they had thoughts.

i would ask for a meeting, tell them your concerns and see what they say.

I would also give your health visitor a call too for some advise. She may want to come to your house for a chat and to see your child