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Could 8yr old ds be autistic?

1 reply

sasparilla1 · 10/05/2020 21:58

Nobody will listen to me, I've been trying for years.

I know something isn't right with my 8yr old ds, I think he's probably autistic. We're having so many developmental and behavioural problems with him, but because he had sleep apnea, massively enlarged adenoids and in and off glue ear it's always been put down to that.

He's obsessive about things, always has been, and at the moment it's Fortnite. I hate that bloody game. If we take itcaway from him then it's something else. Superheroes and Imaginext being just some of his past obsessions.

He can't read social cues, struggles with friends and is either remote or too full on.
He's gone from walking at 9mths to struggling to ride a bike at 8.

He's well behaved at school, but is way behind. He doesn't like school but doesn't play up about going. He's better at numbers than literacy, and his speech is delayed and unclear. You wouldn't be able to understand him fully, and he mumbles a lot.

I've tried so hard at school, but because he is progressing, albeit slowly, they won't do anything. And then he comes home after being at a chilminder 2 or 3 afternoons a week, and his behaviour is awful.

At the moment his behaviour is shocking. He has no routine, and dh thinks I'm overreacting so won't help with a routine. I'm working from home, but have to go into work most days for a few hours (I run an engineering company) and dh is a self employed roofer so is picking up what he can. But all this means even less routine for ds.

Not sure if this is relevant - he has 2 older brothers who have both left home and have their own families and a 13yr old ds at home.

Sorry for the essay, it's been an awful evening.

OP posts:
Sauron · 10/05/2020 22:12

Have you asked your gp for a referral to a paediatrician? Depending on where you are, you might be able to self refer - both of my children (10 and 7) have autism and adhd and were diagnosed a while ago.

Personally with things the way they are at the moment I’d treat him as if he was autistic. If routine is important, put it in. I know a lot of NT kids who’ve become obsessed by fortnite and gaming things. What would work for your son? A diagnosis is helpful as it feels like it gives you a valid reason but you can use strategies to hopefully help your son and your household. Check out Bill Nason. His books are good and he also has a Facebook page.

What sort of things make you feel he’s autistic?

Sorry to hear you’ve had a crappy evening. I hope tomorrow is a much better day.

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