GARS2

[LostAndHelp]

I spoke to speech and language about my concerns over my DS 3.5 development and she's referred us on for an assessment. We received a copy of the GARS2 questionnaire. We've suspected autism for a long time but now looking at the questions I'm in total doubt. Section one covers typical behaviours and bar eye contact (which is improving as he starts to use speech) there isn't anything to flag.

The other 2 sections score quite highly and the 4th section on typical development raises a number of flags.

Have I been concerned incorrectly? Feeling like a crazy parent! Do all children with autism present with the standard behaviours labelled in GARS2?

People are underestimating the impact covid and lockdowns have had on speech and social development. The human brain thrives on a variety of interactions coupled with touch.
The research is very strong on the negative impact these last years have had on children. Cognitive decline has even been identified in primary school children.
Screen times have exploded, and screens are known to impair speech development.
In addition to all above, there is this disparity between the acceptance of body type diversity from a shorter and thicker Pacific Islander to tall and slender Scandinavian, and the forcing of only one mind being accepted. Some children are naturally calm, other are naturally agitated, some speak early, some speak later. There is also the pygmalion effect which will make you behave in a certain way because you believe you child might have autism.

Not sure that's particularly helpful given milestones were missed pre covid. You've just made a bit of a generalisation