Possible very mild autism-how can I tell?

[wheresthevalium]

Before I start, I apologise if I say the wrong thing or upset anyone, I have no idea of the correct terminology I should be using.

This is all stemming from a conversation with a new friend. He had never met either of my girls before.

He said that he thought that DD2 'might be slightly on the spectrum'. I had no idea what he was talking about, and he then said that he thought her behaviour was a bit odd, had I considered that she might be very slightly autistic.

DD2 is 3.6, she is lovely and affectionate, and very imaginitive and creative. She is constantly off in her own little world, singing to herself, making up stories to amuse herself. She constantly does things like wandering off and scares me rigid, when I find her she seems completely oblivious that we were looking for her.

Before the conversation it had never entered my head that this was anything other than 'normal' behaviour for a little girl of her age.

Can anyone give any indication as to what signs there are that she may be slightly autistic? I appreciate that this may just be me over-reacting to a comment from a person who just doesn't know my child.

Is this new friend qualified to diagnose autism?
Have you had concerns about your DD before this comment?

Well not as far as I know. I know that when he and his wife were trying to adopt they had to spend a lot of time with children with SN, but other than that experience, nothing.

I have always thought that DD2 is a little odd, that she is so often off in her own little world, and that sometimes I have to call her quite a few times wheree she is so involved with what she is doing.

Having said that, no real concerns before now. I DID say that i might just be over-reacting

does she socialise with her peers, does she communicate well, did she reach all her milestones, does she require routine -- i could go on - the thing with autism imo is that every symptom can be present in a normal child, but to be autistic they have to have a number of symptoms present in what's called the triad of impairments - look on the national autistic society site if you're concerned. hope this helps

In a way it doesn't really matter whether she is slightly autistic or not if it's not interfering with her life / your life in any way. If you have no concerns about her at home and preschool / playgroup (if she goes) and is not starting to have problems outside of normal growing up then I shouldn't worry. An autism diagnosis is useful if she needs or is likely to need extra help/support but if not, it probably doesn't serve any purpose.

Thanks saker and luckylady, very helpful.

I haven't ever been concerned about her behaviour before, she just seems very imaginitive, and she seems to play well with other children that she comes into contact with. Also her CM (who is fab and a bit like my mummy too sometimes) hasn't ever said anything, and I trust her judgment more than anyone elses.

I think I will choose to ignore the OP comments and assume that he was talking out of his arse

Ignore such stupid comments, especially if the person doesnt know your daughter. Prehaps your "new friend" is not such a friend if he is making such comments which are frankly rude.

Austism is extremely difficult to diagnose. Diagnosis requires assessment by several health professionals and other tests to rule out simple problems like glue ear.

Your daughter sounds lovely and perfectly normal. Please forget this man's stupid comments.

Toddlers often go off into their own world plus 'the spectrum' shades in what is considered normal behaviour anyway. Maybe she is at the border, maybe not.
Unless her behaviour is interfering with her life I wouldn't worry about it.
From your description she sounds creative and imaginative, probably inventing games in her head and getting very involed. Just lke many poeple, if they are focused on something you have to call them a few times!
I wouldn't worry.

I know noting at all about autism and especially not about how either a professional or a parent with experince might set about diagnosing it.
But I do feel qualified to diagnose 'talking out of one's arse' which has symtoms such as bllithely informing parents of things they know nothing of, talking unasked about possibilities which have never occurred to those most likely to have instinctive suspiciions that things are a bit different, and making sweeoing judgments about lively, imaginative, absorbed little girls.

Does your friend display any of these symptoms do you think?

Blu

Nice one Blue!! WTV if you weren't worried yourself about your daughter, I think you've hit the nail on the head when you say he's "talking out of his arse"!

ROFLMAO Blu, thanks, I feel a lot better!

PMSL at Blu's post!

It sounds to me like a case of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing for this man. He's unqualified and inexperienced so unlikely to have spotted something on a first visit when you haven't noticed any problems in 3.6yrs.

Good post Blu. Hi Valium, didn't realise the original poster was you. Having met your daughter I'd say she was fine (my 13 yo son has aspergers). She struck me as intensley curious about everything, imaginative, independatly minded, confident and extremely strong willed. She was friendly and chatty (my son at 3 wouldn't talk to anyone, hated crowded cafe's, hated noise and was rather withdrawn) and even at 3 considered others feelings.
I bet she turns into a strong willed and independant teenager and young lady one day.

There is no such thing as "very slightly autistic". You are either autistic-or not. But autism is a spectrum disorder and its severity is dependant as to whereabouts on the spectrum you fall. Take no notice of your "friend" as it does not sound as if he knows what he is talking about!