Ok, we're going in, hand holding and advice if possible?

[Debeez]

We're arranging to see a GP to request DS who is 8 is tested for ASD/Aspergers. We suspect aspergers. I've written a list of behaviors.

I'm going to write it here and would like to know which the GP would actually be interested in.

• Hand flapping when stressed
• Blinking, winking and twitching his eyes when concentrating
• Stretching his mouth
• Bed wetting until only 3 months ago (every night)
• Learned to ride a bike 1 month ago. Before that we could not get his foot off the floor with any level of encouragement or bribery.
• Repetitive behavior - i.e will watch a film then give you a scene by scene description. Will tell you 20 times how he achieved something.
• Talks constantly, with no cue from others, he will just keep going even if they speak or try to stop him. We have tried various methods to discourage this (rewards for listening, walking away calmly if he refuses to listen, asking him to stop).
• Mad about collecting.
• Started talking at 9 months. (full sentences) So no speech delay.
• Started reading at 2 years. (Has done well at school academically although very poor socially outside of his little group)

Is this enough to warrant the GP taking our concerns seriously?

Do I just go in with my list and say this is what I think?

Thank you for reading.

Fairly clear to me (from what you've listed) that he needs to see a specialist paed for assessment, observations and a dx. Good luck.

my son (10)has not yet been diagnosed with aspergers(I suspect maybe mild asp)but he was diagnosed with mild auditory processing disorder at child psychologist (at 8) and visual processing disorders at educational optometrist (they apparently are related to aspergers)
Because his symptoms are mild and he has a small group of nice friends he has not been diagnosed aspergers
we have attended counselling at psychologist for behaviour issues/ mainly related to frustration at not having his way or not coping with changes- becomes extremely anxious or irritable for ages when not coping
he has had all of your sons symptoms except repetetive behaviour, talking constantly (does quirky jiggly dances often and often speaks rhyming nonsense though!!)and hand flapping only noticed once
Also hated learning bike and we think this is related to a sensory processing disorder
Also early speech at 12 months and now at top of class in maths and spelling
He keeps the dances/rhymes under wraps around friends as is very sensitive
He becomes very anxious outside of his little group also

Debeez I have a similar age DS with ASD confirmed last summer.
He has a lot of similar issues. I think you definitely have enough to go and have your concerns investigated....but be prepared that your GP may be cautious about jumping to conclusions. You can probably expect to be referred to CAMHS or a specialist.
don't be fobbed off.
best of luck.

something that i was advised to do on these boards, and have been thanked for by CAMHS, is keeping a diary

not just of common traits and behaviours, but of how your day/life actually goes. it's helps them build a fuller picture of how your DS interacts with everyone (or not, depending on the situation), as lots of DCs display what are generally known as signs of autism..it's HOW and WHEN that makes the difference

good luck - and keep posting. it's a really stressful process, but the main posters here are so supportive and knowledgeable, a godsend really for them all

Thank you all for your advice and shared experiences.

I sometimes wonder how I'd cope with MN, not just for this but all the other little things in life.

Knowing that I'm going down the right path is a massive weight off and hopefully will give me the strength I'll need if this doesn't go smoothly (when does it ever!)

Just popping back. Starting the diary today.

Not sure if it the whole starting a new school thing but he's started blowing constantly. Not sure how to describe it here but it's brand new. So we have blinking, stretching and now blowing.

Good luck with your referral Sweetiesmum

with me school asked me to take my son to the GP and i explained to him my concern - he then gave me a piece of paper to write down my concerns and bring it back the next day which i did. he then did the referral - we were seen within 2 months and was dx almost immeadiately so writing your list of concerns is a very good idea

Thank you BJK, more and more concerns have appeared over the last 18 months and it's played on our mind greatly. We don't want to waste anyone's time and it felt weird to say "I think there's something not right with my child" IFSWIM.

I know if we get a DX he'd be the same amazing person but this might help us understand why he acts the way he does and let us help him. Knowing we might be on the right track and be getting help within months is heartening. Thank you for sharing.