Hi, I'm regularly reading threads on SN's board and hope that you wonderfully informative people could give me some advice please?
I am wanting to start the referral process for my DS (currently in Y1) who I feel shows signs of ASD/ADHD/SPD/Dyspraxia not sure which mainly or if possibly bits of all 4! The more I read the more I see signs in all areas!!
The problem I have is that I'm currently in the referral process with my DD (y4) who already suffers from anxiety but there is definitely more going on which she masks a lot of the time but school do see her meltdowns when she just can't cope. I initially contacted our GP but was told they don't do the referral it has to be the school nurse. This was fine I met with the school nurse who was lovely and referred DD to CAMHS (as school supported the referral). Then it has been a nightmare of waiting, then initial assessment, then more waiting, when chased we had been lost in their system so had to go back in for initial assessment but are finally on the waiting list for an ASD assessment.
The problem I have with DS is school don't have any problems with him, he is bright and doing well (apart from his writing which is terrible) so I can't see the school nurse supporting a referral? In which case who will??
To give a bit of background to show you my concerns around DS-
He is extremely clumsy, bumps into things, trips over, falls off his chair etc several times a day. He can't yet ride a bike, even with stabilisers as cant seem to coordinate pedalling and steering at the same time.
He cannot keep still he figets, moves, sits down stands up, when walking near roads I hold his hand (as he has no road sense) but he hops, skips, jumps while walking, I don't trust him coming downstairs still and has had a few falls on stairs.
He is very obsessive, he gets into one thing and learns all about it, all facts, names etc he loves character encyclopaedias and reads them over and over until the books literally fall apart!
He sets up 'worlds' with his toys and gets very upset if someone else wants to play with it and mess it up, he also lines a lot of his toys up, even his felt tips he will line up in colour order.
He talks very loud yet is frightened of loud things, Hoover, hand dryers, thunder, fireworks, even people who shout.
He uses his head a lot, out of frustration he will headbut (has never done this at school but does to his brother and sister at home) but he also uses his head as a sign of affection rubbing it on you or pressing his head into you. He also likes to lick you rather than kiss you.
When excited he hand flaps and also when running, if wearing long sleeves (cardigan, coat etc) he pulls his hands inside his sleeves so he has a piece of empty sleeve to flap too.
He is very oblivious to these things and is unaware of his surroundings a lot of the time, you quite often have to say his name right in front of him to get a response (I did have his hearing checked as that was a concern)
There is probably lots more things but most things I just take as being DS's quirks which we are used to!
The only things school have mentioned is how loud he speaks and that he gets very excitable but they don't have any issue with it and put it down to him being 'a boy' and only in y1 so still young. Because he is extremely good at reading (already at free reading level as completed all colour bands) and very good at maths they aren't concerned as say his writing will improve with practice (he hates writing and doesn't hold his pen properly as has bendy joints)
My concern is that if I don't do anything about it soon he is going to move up in school where they will expect him to sit still and work quietly but he just can't! So where do I start?
Sorry it ended up very long and thank you for reading, any advice would be very much appreciated.