not sure what to do

[SkyBluePearl]

There is a lovely little boy who i see a lot of. I know his childminder very well and we meet at friends houses/toddler groups/park/soft play etc. I see his Mum a little but we don't move in the same friendship groups.

I work with young adults who are on the Autistic ASD spectrum and am sure this little boys is on the spectrum too.

I think it might be in the little boys interest to have at least started the statementing process before he starts school in 2011. I'm worried that he could find starting school very hard and that his needs wont be met. It is really non of my business though so think i might be out of line raising the subject of an assessment. I'm under the impression that his parents think his behaviour is typical boy behaviour.

Any advice please.

I would suggest you speak to the childminder, and make sure that she is aware of the red flags for an asd in a child of this age. In my opinion (and I know others may have different views) it's worth sharing with her the signs that you see in this child. She can then speak to the mum, who can arrange a proper assessment.

From what I understand, childminders in most areas can theoretically access advice from the early years teachers, autism specialist team, ed psych etc. They definitely have to fill out all the crap paperwork foundation stage curriculum documentation which they pass on to school. But a child can look ok on that and still have significant problems.

In our area childminders can only access specialist teachers and SEN support if they are accredited to receive Nursery Education Funding. However I would still agree that speaking to the childminder is the best first step. You could point her towards the NAS website.

SBP I know not all agree with me, but if you put the child at the centre of your actions then I think you'll make the right decision. Do what is best FOR HIM!

I think that if the mother is in denial, there is very little anyone can do.

Before my little girl started school a formal notice was sent to some big person in the education offices from the paediatrician to state that in her opinion my child had special educational needs. My child has been in school for 2 years and 1 term exactly and nowhere near statemented yet and we've never heard anything from that notice.

My child is registered disabled and still the only medical opinion I've had is 'immaturity'.

There's no way that anyone without an ASD diagnosis can access an autism specialist team. A referral to one can only be made by a paediatrician - and a referral to a paediatrician has to be made by another health professional.

Since the mother could possibly be in denial, then I think it's wiser to be gentler. It would be a good idea to pass on some concerns to the CM who could then pass on her concerns to the parent. The parent would then need to see HV or GP (depending on area) for a referral. Your opinion may indeed be correct and certainly you have a lot of experience to draw from. However, when it comes to autism spectrum disorders, opinions other than medical ones (written down) mean nothing. I think you would be wrong to raise the subject of an assessment, but I think you would be absolutely right to mention the developmental concerns you have.

Hmmm, a mothers denial imo is over-estimated and encouraged. A mother may have some small concerns that she has highlighted to professionals who have fobbed her off with the usual 'boys talk later than girls', 'he's just an indpendent chap', 'He's just expressing his individuality' etc etc. and then the 'well, let's wait and see how he copes with school' etc.

I spent almost a year begging 'professionals' to assess ds as I knew there was something wrong. By the time I got my paed appointment I was confident in my own developed opinion that I was a neurotic mother and only getting to see the paed to 'put my mind at rest'.

I will never get over the shock and anger I felt at that first screening appointment when the paed said simply 'He has classic autism, possibly severe, we'll refer you to the assessment team'.

This mother might need to know that others have noticed things too. We are all in denial to some extent. It is the temporary happier place to be.

Thankyou for all your valuable advice. Been really good to get different takes on my dilema. I think when term rolls round again I'll talk to the CM about developmental concerns. I know CM is aware that he is different but we haven't talked in detail. CM is approachable but quite new to CMing and still finding her feet - I'll point her towards the NAS website though thanks.