If your child is on the ASD spectrum

[crispyporkbelly]

When did you suspect it and why?

Thank you

One other thing to consider- I went to an autism work shop once where we were told that autism is like a jigsaw- we all have a few pieces some more than others- but that doesn't make us necessarily on the spectrum. In hindsight my 2nd DS would have been a grave cause for concern if I'd known what I know now- he never ever played only sorted. He was a terrible sleeper, he had shocking tantrums and taught himself to read freakishly early ( before 2) but he outgrew a lot of this stuff and is a happy successful popular student at a v good Uni. Maybe slightly overly obsessive about music and football- but all socially acceptable. My 3rd DS is def asd. And will not be able to overcome many of his issues. The main thing I'm getting from this thread is that although we have common ground, our children are all different...I remember being so cheered when my son cuddled and smiled at me- and even played with brothers, only to be thrown into despair at the next dire mother toddler group. It's an awful emotional roller coaster at this point- keep positive- let us know how things develop.

I agree with the advice to bypass health visitors. I first took my child to one with speech delay, no words at aged nearly 2.

HV observed her, no interaction with me,a boarded in her own world and declared "this child is not autistic".
This was my concern. I went on my happy way, reassured.
DD diagnosed with autism aged 5. Signs were all there on retrospect. I just didn't want to hear it.

Life is much better, more hopeful and positive now.

Trust your instincts as a parent.

I'm trusting my instincts definitely but it's hard because one minute ill be worried and the next ill think I'm making something out of nothing?

Definitely staying positive too, he's still very young and seems to be babbling a bit more. Also his molars have been causing him a lot of trouble so maybe that's affecting his behaviour too.

Thanks for all the advice it really helps

I knew DS was autistic when he was 9 months old, indicators included:

Not responding to his name
Sitting in high chair playing with his fingers...for AGES
Looking at his toys from odd angles
Not clipping his legs round my hips when I picked him up, just sort of hanging there
Never noticed when I entered or exited a room
Shunning all toys in favour of a potatoe :)

I contacted HV and they just smiled at me as though I was slightly silly, but cute ("oh love her...she's all wound up over nothing")

Got GP to contact them and when they came again I was ready, had listed all worrying behaviour, and was polite but firm in insisting they refer to CDC for assessment.

DS diagnosed at 2.3. Go with your heart, you have experience of children on the spectrum, do what you have to do to get people to listen. Good luck, keep posting.

Thank you, it helps reading people's experiences.

Did anyone have an assessment like my ds will be having? Apparently they will observe him 1:1 maybe over a couple of sessions.

What happens after if they have concerns?

Went to see a friend and her younger dc yesterday who was pointing and making words for things :(

We blamed teething for ds2's loss of skills and when he came through and still hadn't regained skills he'd had before after a few months it was one of the things we thought pointed to autism. At 2 1/2 he still hasn't regained words and skills from pre-18 months though he has new ones. But, in hindsight, there were clues even before then. Like he learnt to wave bye bye at an appropriate age but always watched his own hand, fascinated as he did it. We had nothing to compare it to though because ds1 never did social things like that.

The very small children pointing and attempting words really gets to me too I've sort of isolated myself since September and I know I need to just get out and deal with it, it's not going away after all.

ds2 has his first paediatrician appointment tomorrow.

Good luck for tomorrow, feel free to come back

I avoided all social situations involving other children of a similar age to DS, I remember taking him to a party at a soft play where all the kids were toddling about being all 'normal', while DS spun round in circles and repeatedly slapped the fire escape doors :(

It was my Mum who forced me to get back out and into groups, she really had to shove me! Hard at first, lots of tears once we got home - but - I found so much support from other mums. And group leaders. Once the library Story Time leader found out we were signing with DS, she finished every session with a singing/signing song :)

DS didn't get seperation anxiety or notice if i re-entered a room until he was 2.

Ds doesn't really care if I come and go unless he's poorly, then he really cries for me

raffle that sounds hard :( glad you went back and got the support you needed

Op here, updating.

Saw SALT and he's started his therapy. She agreed she would expect more interaction at his age.

Then he had his hearing tested - all fine and no glue ear.

Today saw developmental paed and they took all details down, watched him play and said they'll want to see him in 6 months. I guess it's just waiting game now.

@crispyporkbelly how ur child now?

Started having concerns around 18 months, went to GP to ask for referral at around the age of 2.

Knew she had quirks at 2. Put them down as lovable quirks - sensory issues mostly, very willful/ determined. Otherwise she was developmentally fine, meeting milestones, great eye contact etc. But she began struggling with transitions around 2 as well.

Pushed for support/ referral when she fell apart when she started reception and her behaviour and sensory issues went off the scale (at home only - thankfully I was aware of masking from a fantastic woman I spoke to at Young Minds). Uniform and seatbelt refusal, control issues etc.

Still undiagnosed, but her needs are now being better met which has resulted in huge improvements. To the untrained eye she's a typical 5yo. To us she's still quirky, which is a good thing, and we're able to better deal with some of the more troublesome behaviour through increased understanding of her.

how is your child now?