Just completed the GARS-2 autism questionnaire- Can someone help, does it suggest DD is autistic?

[Ispywithmycynicaleye]

I have just completed the GARS-2 questionnaire as part of a referral for ASD. My DD has just turned 2.

Most of the questions related to speech were left blank as she only has some words and does not always use them. She has been referred to speech and language but there is a delay because of covid (understandable).

I counted up the score from the remaining questions which came to 83. The Dr advised the threshold would be adjusted (I'm assuming lowered) to take into account the missing score from those questions. With the current threshold for 'very likely autistic' being 85 does this confirm my DD is autistic?

Before the questionnaire I had doubts, but filling in the questionnaire has made it feel real if that makes sense. I guess I'm asking how high up the spectrum her score suggests, or if it even works like that?

My DS was diagnosed with Asperger's 16 years ago, this is the first I've ever heard of the GARS-2 form.

Sorry, title meant to say 'does it suggest she is on the higher end of the spectrum'.

I was very young when my DS was diagnosed with Asperger's. I had very little support, familywise or professional so he is the only experience I have with autistic traits.

DD has significantly more obvious markers and and I guess I was looking for an idea of where she would fit in, and what life would look like, things such as whether she could go to mainstream school.

Her stimming is getting progressively worse where almost every few steps she stops to bounce, rock or bang her head on the floor. She has a rigid routines which must be followed and obsessively stuffs all her toys into piles, bags, boxes etc rather than play with them properly.

We already struggle to leave the house with her, she refuses her buggie and frequently loses control when putting her in the car. I dont know if it gets better? Are there things I could do that could make our life and hers easier? My DP is upset and struggling and I feel he needs reassurance that she will live a normal life?? Do normal things?? But I can't reassure him because I have no idea what to expect myself.

Although it was in the back of my mind since she was very young because of her developmental delays, i feel a bit overwhelmed after completing the questionnaire.

It's natural to feel a bit overwhelmed and out of your depth at this stage, you want specific answers and there aren't any.

You'll have to wait for the professionals to decide whether to diagnose your child with autism, they will not just base that decision on a single test like GARS2. You've said yourself, that is only part of the referral.

Autism in girls and women presents very differently to autism in boys and men.

No results from any tests can predict the future of any 2 year-old, so please don't expect anyone to give you a list of things she will and will not be able to do.

Every child with autism has a unique set of skills and challenges, no two children with autism are the same, so the more you know exactly what causes [ triggers] your child's behaviour, the better position you are in to help them.

The autistic spectrum isn't a straight line, see these articles

the-art-of-autism.com/understanding-the-spectrum-a-comic-strip-explanation/

neuroclastic.com/2019/05/04/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/

What you and your partner need to do is read as much as you can and watch youtube videos about autism and about any interventions which may support any traits your daughter shows.

Are there any parenting courses for parents of autistic children running in your area - some are online now I understand. The team that are dealing with your daughter's assessment should be able to give you details of those.

If she struggles with transitions, (changing from doing one thing to doing another) try using the now, next and then explanations or visuals, so she always knows what's happening.

This site is full of helpful free resources www.twinkl.co.uk/

This booklet is great for information on Sensory Processing www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/social-care/disabilities/docs/young-people/Making%20Sense%20of%20Sensory%20Behaviour.pdf?

National Autistic Society www.autism.org.uk/

It's not helpful to use terms like "normal" because that leads to thinking that anything outside that definition is somehow "wrong" which in the case of autism is about as unhelpful an attitude as it can get.

Instead, think about differences, people can do things differently, but achieve the same results.

Always ask the team that are doing your DD's assessment if you're not sure about anything, at your next appointment, take a list of questions about your main concerns with you.

Parenting a child with autism needs a different approach to parenting a child who doesn't have it, so again, research that together, the more you and your DH learn together, the better you'll both be able to support your daughter when she needs it.