Red flags for ASD, doctors tomorrow.

[Bambamboom]

My dd is 19 months, we have a doctors appointment booked tomorrow to discuss her development as I'm becoming concerned she may have autism.
She has always been well ahead of other Children her age physically and walked at 9 months, she can climb very well and has mastered pretty much everything at the playground. However she had real trouble understanding us, literally just understands "no" and "bed". She can say about 8 words but doesn't even respond to her name...ever.
She doesn't really point to things she wants or is interested in and tends to play very much by herself not really knowing what to do when another child approaches her.
She rarely makes eye contact and tends to totally ignore everyone when they speak to her...although will do when she's "in the mood" which makes me wonder how much of it is stubbornness! She also has started moving her head from side to side very quickly, either closing or rolling her eyes whilst doing a funny face with her jaw (don't know how it's physically possible to move your jaw so far forward!)
Anyway, rambled on. I wanted to ask for any advice for the doctors tomorrow? I really don't want to get fobbed off as think she needs assessing at very least!
Thanks in advance :)

No, she hasn't had any hearing tests since she was tiny.
I did the M-chat and said "at risk of autism" although it's thought because some of the answers I had were close to a "yes she can do that" but not exactly how they stated on the test !

Okay, I will ask the doctor to do a hearing test.
No, she fed fine when she was little etc.
I had read about the hearing problems being similar symptoms to autism but wasn't sure how similar they were :)

Ruling out a hearing problem is definitely the first step. You're doing the right thing by getting her checked out - parental instincts are a powerful thing.

I think its really great that you have seen some signs and been brave enough to look into it and book an appointment with your doctor. I would say that there are enough signs that you are describing to warrant further assessment, which would include a hearing test and a referral to a paediatrician to look into ASC. Not showing eye contact and not pointing are definitely signs to mention. Early intervention is the best way, so spotting the signs early is definitely going to be the best thing for your daughter, and I'm sure that having a supportive, observant mother who puts her daughters needs first will help her get off to the best start. All the best.

Thanks everyone for the reassurance.
I pay out for private healthcare and my dd is also covered. It's a pretty good healthcare and covers diagnoses and initial treatment for most conditions etc but no idea whether asd would be covered so have emailed my insurance company.
Has anyone heard of private health care covering this?
Thanks again

Answer the questions exactly as they are asked. If you start answering them in terms of well can do x but only if I do y, or if it's in z situation that suggests you are actually making accommodations for differences. I found myself answering questions like this but realised actually the answer should have been no, DS can't do that in the way that's typical in an independent way. If you having to make adjustments then the answer should probably be no. Also be aware signs keep emerging up to age 3, DS only developed the more obvious traits between 2.3 and 2.10 so don't be afraid to ask for them to keep reviewing things. Research has proven parents instincts are usually right. Good luck.

What agnes said regarding the m-chat.

hope your GP takes you seriously. Not sure about private healthcare. I have private healthcare through work and anything developmental (delays, asd, speech and language etc) is excluded. But that might just be my package.

We have private health care through work too and developmental issues are excluded.

Good luck today, you are doing a fantastic thing by not burying your head in the sand. I hope it goes well and your concerns are taken seriously.

Went to the doctor and called my healthcare, the diagnoses for hearing and autism is covered. So got the ball rolling.
The doctor was great but dd helped matters but refusing to look at him then closing her eyes violently shaking her head and sticking her jaw out at him :L
My point was certainly proved!

That's great news that you weren't fobbed off.
Is the healthcare diagnosis via the NHS? I don't want to put a dampener on things but some parents struggle to get private diagnoses accepted in certain areas of the country so it might be worth getting an NHS diagnosis as well as a backup.

I think the diagnoses will be through a NHS doctor but in a private hospital. Does that count? Basically just see a NHS doctor quicker

Agree with start at physiological causes and work from there. We went through all that with DS over the years. Even had the fact he was bi lingual (well heard 2 languages) used. Once all that was proven not be be a cause along with being a LP and an only child they started seriously looking at ASD.
It just means once you start the assessment process you can tick all the tried that and it's fine boxes which can prevent the process being stalled.