ASD pathway, what to do whilst waiting?!

[PinkDaydreams]

Morning all!
Speech therapist has agreed this morning that 2.8 year old son is to be put on the asd pathway which to be honest I’m happy about as I’ve said for ages that I suspect autism. Anyway, she’s also going to arrange speech therapy as the two sessions we have had have been ‘preliminary sessions’. He only has a handful of words which are numbers.
The asd pathway is 12-24 months wait. I’m wondering what I can do in the mean time to help my son as much as possible please? He will be starting nursery once he’s 3, I’m a stay at home parent looking after him full time (I don’t claim any benefits at all, I always get asked what I’m claiming as soon as I say I’m a sahp )

Before lockdown I was at different classes every day with him but now there’s nothing. We are out as much as possible whether it’s to the park, museum, walk.

Thank you all!

Bump!

Hi OP. If you do a bit of a search you will find many similar threads and the recommendations given. There are a few books I usually recommend:

• More than words by Fern Sussman. It’s the manual for the Hanen speech programme.

• How to raise a happy, autistic child by Jessie Hewitson.

• Autism & Asperger syndrome in children by Luke Beardon.

• An early start for your child with Autism by Sally Rogers.

I’d recommend using an intensive interaction approach when you play with him. If you Google it you will find lots of information on it.

Google your local authority and ‘Local Offer’ to see what’s provided in your area. You may find details on to special needs groups where you may be able find people going through a similar situation.

There are plenty of resources on YouTube and Instagram (also FaceBook groups) where you can find videos from parents of autistic children (like Nurturing Neurodiversity), SALT and occupational therapists. Try to watch the positive, inspiring stuff only.

If you think he may have sensory issues then have a look at this:

www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/social-care/disabilities/docs/young-people/Making%20Sense%20of%20Sensory%20Behaviour.pdf?v=201906271131

There are lots of books with information and activities for sensory processing issues like The out of sync child.

Have you already chosen a nursery for him?

@openupmyeagereyes thank you so much for your reply!
I’ve been making my way through the books More Than Words and It Takes Two To Talk. So far I’m finding more than words more relatable than the other.

Yes I’ve chosen his nursery, they’ve been really helpful with his salt referral and he’s done two courses of early communication there too. Before lockdown we were there most days doing a class of some sort so he’s familiar with the setting as well. I need to get back on the phone to them and update them with the latest.

I was googling books last night and there are so many that I ended up overwhelmed, I’ve downloaded a few though and will check out the ones you’ve recommended too as I’d prefer to go on recommendations, thank you.

I’ve found that a lot of courses/classes are aimed at children already diagnosed with asd. Although I think he will get a diagnosis is it frowned upon for me to still get involved with the classes pre diagnosis?

Regarding sensory issues yes he has got a few so I will take a look at that link thank you so much.

With books I think it’s best to read the summary and reviews and then decide if it sounds like something that fits with your general parenting approach. If it’s available on Kindle you can download a sample. There’s no one size fits all solution.

I think It takes two is for speech delay but not ASD? I’ve not looked at it myself though I have More than words and Talkability.

It’s great the nursery are engaged.

What are the ASD markers that you’re seeing?

He used to have a handful of words but then they completely disappeared. He has recently started talking mainly numbers which he also recognises. The speech therapist said that the regression and also as he's using words that have no real use then that's an asd trait, also the way he plays as well. He also doesn't like sounds, he gets very upset and distressed at the hoover and hair dryer. He hates the feel of some shoes and clothes, again gets very upset. Food as well we are also having issues with.
We had a video call with a lady from an asd charity the other week and she agreed that she could see signs and also from examples of behaviour I had given her.

I'll keep on with the reading and researching whilst waiting for appointments.