If you already have one child with a diagnosis, and you have concerns about another, what's the quickest way back into "the system"?

[dinosaure]

As some of you know, my DS1 has a diagnosis of high-functioning autism. (He's nearly seven now.)

My DS3 is 21 months now and not really communicating, let alone talking, at all. He doesn't point (although he used to) and although he did seem to say a few words last year, they have pretty much disappeared during the last few months (he does still say "mi'k" for milk).

He's not really like DS1 was in other ways though - he's not particularly obsessive about doors and gates, and he doesn't seem to get terribly terribly upset for no discernible reason. He also sleeps well.

Although I thought I knew my way round all the "red flags" I'm really having a kind of crisis of confidence about him - I'm just so unsure about whether he's okay or not. ]

Anyone have any views about what I should do now? I wondered if I should be trying to get him some private speech therapy (waiting lists are a disaster round here) just to try and get the ball rolling?

well you could do but fwiw, my ds didnt have much communication at 21 months. I was worried about him too, posted endless threads but at about 2 yr 2 months it just happened. Sometimes it can just make you more paranoid as you are looking out for things

If you are really worried though dino and can afford it, i would go for for the private salt

We got ds2 seen fairly quickly because ds1's portage worker spoke to the Paed about ds2 for us. Ds2 then went on the CDC list.

Does your ds1 still have appointments with any pro's? I found that ds1's Paed and the SALT would ask informally if there were any concerns about ds2.

It sounds as though it might be worth trying a private SALT if the waiting lists are bad in your area.

My health visitor could get my 2nd dd an appointment with the SLT quick as a flash as we had concerns that dd1 had HFA.
Something about siblings....not sure what. Ask??

Thanks everyone. PKP, I know what you mean about the paranoia, I flip flop endlessly between thinking he's okay and worrying about him. We could just about afford some sessions of private SLT though - I might perhaps at least try and speak to one by telephone and see what they think.

Coppertop - DS1 doesn't have any appointments with anyone atm, so we don't have a direct route in to the paed, and DS1 never had a portage worker either (Hackney is rubbish, honestly). But I suppose I could give the paediatrician a call, she was very nice and we got on quite well.

Charliecat, I am sure that the HV would be suupportive if we did ask, but the darn waiting lists are so long...

Anyway, thanks all for input. Coppertop, how are you finding life with three??

So far so good. Dd has somehow managed to fit in nicely with ds1 and ds2's routines (touchwood!). She's also about to be introduced to the wonderful world of IEP meetings, SALT appointments and CDU reviews. :o

Dd is fairly low-maintenance compared to her brothers so it's been a bit easier than I'd expected.

No doubt I'll re-read this in a few months time and laugh!!

well you know how paranoud I am :o when ds2 wasn't talking aged 2 and a half, and had been dxed as having a speech disorder by a private SALT - and of course all the family history we still couldn't get seen by SALT- we waited 11 months (by which time it had all clicked). I wasn't worried about his actual communication though- thought he might have verbal dyspraxia or something but not autism, so did our own thing SALT wise and didn't worry about the rest.

IN ds3's case I've just sent a sample off to Sunderland.If the results are dodgy and he's not poinitng/following a point at 18months I'll ask my GP to refer us to the CDC.

dinosaure tell the HV you just want to talk to someone - it should be easy enough in my experience

Take him to the doctor asap. The doctor will do the necessary referrals I took my son to the doctor a year ago age 2 hes now just turned 3 and on all sorts of waiting lists and not had one single session of any type of therapy yet. The system is a disgrace. The sooner you start the ball rolling the better. My son had months of hearing tests etc and they were all fine and then he went to the cdc at the end of nov and he got officially diagnosed at the end of feb after the asessment 2 months before that. Everything is endless lists and waiting from my point of view. Sorry for sounding so downhearted but i havent got the help for him yet so im not feeling too positive.