Please or to access all these features

SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Possible autism

5 replies

itsonlyme85 · 17/09/2013 23:05

Hi ladies im posting on behalf of my best friend. She has a 6 year old son, he's a lovely boy and has always been a bit of a worrier. As a baby he was very calm and laid back, he would lay in his toddler bed awake and wait for his mum to get him out. He used to line up his toy cars. He hated change, He has gone back to school now but cries everyday and gets himself very worked up. He is aggressive to his siblings, especially if he doesn't get his own way. He swears at his mum and is rude, as he seems to panic as he goes to school. his headteacher has said its ok for him to come in for a few hours at a time. He is not sleeping well in his bed even though for the last 6 years he has been fine. And in siblings beds he sleeps all night. The headteacher has told her they believe he is autistic. My friend is understandably worried about her son. His eye contact is fine as is his speech, i look after him once a week and he is a lovely little boy, we look through books and talk about what were looking at. And do puzzles etc he has no tantrums and is polite but as soon as his mum or dad walks in he's naughty . i have no experience of autism at all, so i hope i am not offending anyone. My friend has asked me to ask on here for parents of an autistic child for their opinion. Her doctor has said she believes he is fine but my friend is so worried and i think worried that she is reading into things as she is reading things online alot. So sorry this is so long.

OP posts:
Donki · 18/09/2013 06:38

No diagnosis from me - I am not qualified, but if your friend is worried she can ask GP for a referral to Paediatrician or CAMHS for an assessment. (Even if the GP thinks he is fine) School can refer to the EdPsych for an assessment (and she can ask school to do that).

chocnomore · 18/09/2013 07:00

a teacher is not qualified to diagnose autism. very unprofessional of him to 'diagnose' your friend's DS.

you said the doctor said he is fine. what kind of doctor? was it the GP? GPs cannot diagnose autism either and it is pretty common for them to dismiss concerns.

I would push for a referral to a developmental paed or CAMHS (depending what the pathway in your area is). Ask you friend to write down all concerns and maybe keep a diary.

oh, and send her over to this board herself Wink

mummytime · 18/09/2013 07:25

Your friend should push for a referral. My GPs have the attitude that if parents are worried they will tend to refer, as parents are often right.

Yes the teacher was unprofessional (but we don't have a first hand account of exactly what they said and how).

Eye contact and speech can seem "fine" and a child still have Autism. However the symptoms you describe could be from any number of things. Maybe at your house he has less anxiety as he has one on one time and its quieter and calmer?

itsonlyme85 · 18/09/2013 09:59

Thankyou for the reply ladies. The school is going to refer my friends son. I think your right about him acting different at my house due to one on one attention, he is one of 4 and his mums more interested in her phone and tv. I love her to bits but she's quite lazy (her words not mine). Thanks ladies il pass all this info on and hopefully she will get the appointments she needs.

OP posts:
itsonlyme85 · 18/09/2013 10:01

Her head teacher at first said we have another boy just like yours and he has anxiety and the. A few days later said they think he has autism. I was there and quite shocked that they just said it in the school doorway, wasnt even in a meeting. She has just had the meeting and they are allowing her son to come into school until 11am.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page