Is 3YO too young to look into possible Autism/Aspergers?

[DrHarleenFrancesQuinzel]

DS is 10YO and has been diagnosed with Autism. He is statemented at school. He gets DLA. So we know the signs.

Anyway DD2 is showing signs, but she is only 3YO. We are not sure if we should go to the GP about starting to look into it. We had hoped that when we took her to the speech therapist (as advised by preschool due to her never saying a word for the first couple of months) it would be the start of a similar process that we had for DS. However, she started talking more. The Speech Therapist said that while she was behind, she wasn't so far behind that it was a worry. So now they have backed out.

Anyway we are convinced that there are signs there. Refuses to wear pants (she says she will be in nappies when she's an adult), hates loud noises (got upset by a car alarm on Friday night at the opposite end of the car park - DS wasn't bothered), hates change of plans (she had a meltdown when I popped to Tesco and not Morrisons because I had said we were going to Morrisons - I decided when I was in the car to go to Tesco instead), she lines things up and everything has to be just right (meltdown occurs if her curtains aren't shut right when she goes to bed - the left curtain has to be over the right curtain where they meet instead of the opposite)

There are other signs too.

We are wondering if we should look to get DD2 looked at or is it possible that things will come to light anyway? She will be 4 in September so she's just over 3 and half ie not just turned 3.

DS was diagnosed at 2years 3 months and he'd been on the waiting list for probably ASD for 6 months already.

Personally I'd do it sooner rather than later. Things get more complicated and difficult to unpick once in the school system.

Thanks, Im just a bit worried about being fobbed off. They might say that she's only 3 so still time for some development to change things or something.

DS had some obvious signs like flapping and his speech was delayed more than DD2s. With DD2 is knowing the signs and knowing her. Its one of those only a mother can tell things. Plus with DS as he was our first and we didnt know any other children, to us he was just DS and was just the way he was. If it wasn't for the correct people pushing onto us the idea of autism then we would never have looked into it.

I don't think you should be worried about being fobbed off. They should take you seriously given your experience and also the fact that the chances are higher as she already has a brother with autism.

I am in a similar situation DS was diagnosed with ASD just before he turned 3, we began the whole process when he was 18 months. DD is now 2 and I am beginning to wonder whether she is showing signs, although milder and not sure if a lot of her behaviour is copied, arm flapping and very distressed when things get dirty.

She has her 2 year review soon and I think we will take it from there. Trust your instincts and if it's nothing then great but I too think the earlier you begin to investigate the better.

Thank you. I will. On tuesday I will get the ball rolling. Is the Health visitor or GP best? We moved here when DD2 was 6 months old and have only seen the HV twice (the last time being her 2YO check so 18 months ago), but at the same time I don't want to take up a GP's time if necessary.

Sorry if not necessary. Though it would be easier to see a GP rather than the HV as I can just go to the walk-in my surgery has, whereas seeing the HV requires me to firstly find out who they are then to make contact etc.

First time around I did it through the Health visitor so that is how I will do it again. If's it's easier for you to see the doctor then do that. Both can refer as far as I know so it's just about finding someone who will listen to you and take your concerns seriously. Don't be fobbed off. Go in prepared with all of your concerns. There is an M-CHAT form you can complete, have you heard of that? I have done it and DD came up as low risk but I will still look into it anyway. Goodluck!

dS2 was diagnosed before he was 2.
He went to a nursery for children with ASD.

DS1 got diagnosed at 18 months, so no, not too early. The thing is that the NHS seem to fob parents off as long as possible (the cynical part of me says that this is because it means them putting off having to actually fund anything until as late as possible. But 3 certainly isn't too young and I think you should push for an assessment ASAP.

The sooner you get the diagnosis, the sooner/easier you can get an EHCP/DLA, etc.

Good luck.

Do this online test and if the score indicates further investigation, take it to your GP to help get the ball rolling.
www.m-chat.org/mchat.php

ds2 was diagnosed before 3. They took my concerns seriously because of ds1s diagnosis and it was a much smoother process

Not too young at all. DS1 was diagnosed at 3.5 and DS2 was only just 2.

Not at all.
My eldest was dx at 2. 5 and my youngest at 3.