DS2 was born at 30 weeks, had grade 3 brain bleeds which led to hydrocephalus and VP shunt when he was 5 months.
Fast forward 2 years, walking, talking, doing well, discharged from developmental paediatrician.
At 3.5, we realised there were some sensory issues - touch, temperature, hand dryers - and a gap growing between him and his peers physically. Paediatrician said sensory immaturity due to his difficult start and a private OT assessed him and said it was likely he had dyspraxia.
He is 4 now and has a year before he starts school - we've held him back as he should have been a Sept baby and his prematurity meant he was born in July - and I want to make the most of this time to get him ready.
Back to original paediatrician who said the sensory issues we describe are often seen with autism, but that doesn't seem to be the case with DS2 after they played together. He has referred him to an OT.
So what's my question? This is just the bare bones really and only scrapes the surface of my lovely boy.
I googled hydrocephalus and autism and there is an acknowledged link. I really don't care what the word is - dyspraxia, sensory processing disorder, autism or a mix if that's possible - but what would be the way to pin things down so that I have all the information DS2 needs for school?
His old neurosurgeon said that when he started school we would have a clearer view of any effects of the hydrocephalus and we could see a neuropsychologist (at Great Ormond Street). But she has left and when we had last check up we pushed hard (but clearly not hard enough) to see one. Nothing came of it. Is he too young at 4 and would it be better to wait till he's a bit older?
Does he sound like any of your DCs? Can you have sensory issues without autism? Does it really matter what it's called?