Hi mumnetters, i am new here and I am looking for some advice about my 6 year old Son's referral to a paediatrician. It is in 6 weeks time and im not sure what to expect? He was referred 3 months ago because of my concerns about the following:
Meltdowns-he seems to meldown and get really angry over the smallest of things, not tantrums but really upset and loses control (although he has not yet done this in school)
Eating habits-he eats the same things day in day out, he wont eat a sandwich because he doesnt like the meat/cheese etc touching the bread or he will not eat his meat if his mash potato has touched it or if beans touch the egg etc and he will balk if he tastes a lump in certain foods
Toilet habits-he goes days without going to the loo for a poop, its like he doesnt sense that he needs to go
School-he is behind with his reading, writing and maths, has a learning mentor and will soon be assessed if no improvement for a learning disability such as dyslexia
Vacant-he appears to be in his own world at times, i can call his name 4 or 5 times before he replies
Sound-he was very sensitive to certain noises and would get upset and cover his ears, he has got better with this now he is older but still struggles with things like hand dryers or busy restaurants
Questions-he will ask the same questions over and over again as if he needs to get the answer straight in his head
Very particular-his clothing must feel right, his socks must be on perfectly and before he puts on a coat he pulls his sleeves over his hands so they dont rise up above the cuff
Sleep-he takes hours to settle most nights and needs his father or I to lay with him for him to go to sleep
Clingy-he doesnt like to be away from us even to go to school as he says it takes too long until the end of the school day although he is happy and enjoys school whilst he is there
Touch-he will walk along and have to touch the wall or rails as he goes and has done this since he was small
Socialising-now this is what throws me about whether he could have autism as he does have friends in school. They are a selected few friends who he has been friends with for the past few years but he does engage in play and eye contact. Saying that he is not so sociable with adults and is very reserved at first, it takes him at least a few meetings for eg with his learning mentor for him to feel at ease
Speech-he has always been fine with his speech, he can easily hold an intelligent conversation and although he struggles academically he is really artistic and musical and loves history and listening to stories
Sorry for the long post but i guess what i am hoping for is for advice on what i can expect at our first appointment and also if any of your children who have been diagnosed with autism experience/d similar symptoms.
Many thanks in advance