There looking for a social communication disorder?

[KillerRack]

my ds, just 3 is currently being assessed , referral being made through nursery.
social skills were a real issue and speech was delayed, he has improved noticeably in the last month or so, but a few months ago saw an aggressive child with no social skills who didn't really speak, it broke my heart because I could tell he wanted to be with other children.
the second trip today and the speech therapist had a chat with me, and said that they are looking at a social communication disorder.
That they are not looking at learning difficulties of any kind but can tell 'he doesn't know where to put himself' socially, but she also said you can tell he wants to be around children.
And his speech/pronunciation could be clearer but at his age a lot of it is wait and see.
So sigh I suppose its something??

Can't believe I spelled their wrong in the title :O

How are you feeling, KillerRack? Has the SALT recommended seeing a developmental paed? The most common social communication disorder is ASD and SALTs can't DX on their own. Who are assessing him, is it a multi disciplinary team or just SALT? It may be a good idea to get a referral to a paed. It's great that he has no LD.

It sounds like his nursery is on the ball. Are they providing him with any support, has anyone mentioned Early Years Action plus or Statementing yet?

It's very hard but try to see this process as providing help and support for your DS and remember that any label he may gain won't actually change him, he'll still be your lovely boy.

Hi killer and welcome to the board, I agree with what ellen says and wanted to add that quite often children with social communication issues can learn how to make friends and take part in social stuff, it just takes them a little longer to learn the spoken and unspoken rules about socialising.

Good luck

Pretty much like the rug has been pulled out from under me tbh, its quite complex my sibling has severe ASD and I asked for a chromosome test at 16 to see the likely hood of me having a child with autism.
They sent me a letter saying basically there's no point as women don't carry autism and did not have the test.
So I feel that safety net was false.
he is having his medical part done soon, they didn' t say it was a final DX but said they were 'looking for it' so they've seen a lot of their evidence so far I'm guessing.

The nursery SENCO is leaving soon :'( , so I dunno who will replace them.

thanks for replies xoxo

Strange old genetic advice you were given!

Anyway, stick around, you'll get lots of advice and support and no hardly any judginess here. Give yourself time to be upset. ((((hugs))))

It said on the letter, women can exhibit symptoms but they don't carry as in pass on autism. apparently men pass it on. I think fragile X's is seen as the female equivalent.

bear in mind this was like 8 years ago info may have changed.

But yeah back to the matter in hand.

I haven't had time to sit and let it stew, in some ways I'm glad I have a name for it and won't be silenced by judgy people assuming 'I obviously don't discipline' or whatever I'm sure a lot of parents of 'invisible SN' have that problem.
I feel a bit numb , no.2 is on the way are they going to be SN too??.:'(

Girls can carry fragile X but often have the milder form.
Both my girls are dx as having autism. It's hard to hear, hard to get head round and of course comes with its own issues. There is light though, and lots of things can be taught, like some social skill, speech and loads of learnt communication. We are all here, we have all been where you are, so feel free to join us, ask questions and use us as you will x

^^ what zzzzz said.
Genetic advice was daft...then or now.

SaLT cannot diagnose ASD alone...it's a triad of inmpairment, social communication is one leg, which SaLT's can diagnose. Paedx and preferably Psychologist for a full team assessment.

OT is usually helpful to assess and treat associated motor/sensory issues which are common in ASD.

It's a slap in the face regardless of what advice you have been given in the past; and even those of us who suspect ASD find it a shock to have it confirmed.

hello Killer, it's good that your DS is being assessed, but of course, it's very difficult to have deal with this.
Has your DS been referred for a multi-disciplinary assessment? Is the SALT part of the team?
My DD was referred to multi-disciplinary assessment after her 2 year assessment & she saw paed, OT & SALT for MDA appointment at 2.6. Paed said development delay, cause for concern, wait and see, review again in 6 months.
It was really the SALT & OT (both lovely), who were seeing/reviewing DD following this, who let me know that DD was displaying ASD traits. They did not mention ASD outright, but described DD as unusual and complex, then mentioned social communication and interaction difficulties at subsequent appointments. I googled and realised what they were telling me.
At the follow-up MDA appointment, the paed said that DD's behaviours/ presentation was consistent with ASD spectrum. She has now started assessment.
I will always be grateful that the OT/SALT had told me, in so far as they could, beforehand. It's so hard to think that our DCs have difficulties, but it's better to know I think. All the best to your DS and you.

You said at the beginning your child has a DESIRE to be social - that's really, really positive ya know?

The desire to be social gives you a mahooosive hook to base any interventions on, as your kid already has a great inbuilt motivator. If you read up on ABA you'll see just how important important finding important motivators is. My DS is similar and his cons' (from a big shot London hospital) was very keen to tell me the other week what a great long term prognosis DS has due to this single factor if I can continue to nurture it. I'm just passing on that info to you. I'm not sure whether your child is not still too young for it but I can say the book by Linda Miller "The 5P approach" has been a fantastic resource over the years to help me harness that social desire and use it to help my child.

It sounds as if his nursery are really clued up (that's rare!). It's really horrible finding out your child has any kind of problem but you are off to a flying start in getting the right help.

thanks for the replies.

Yeah he does want to be around kids I know that's a good indicator against ASD, my sibling has it in a much more severe form, and has no interest in social relationships interaction whatsoever.