ASD or will his speech improve? Starting Reception.

[PortUmber]

DS turned 4 in March. He is very timid and quiet. He has a very soft voice. He is having speech therapy and has a PECS book. He says nouns and will babble. He is just beginning to say ‘I want bread’, ‘come on Mummy’ or ‘up the steps’. He wouldn’t be able to understand or answer questions like “what did you do at preschool’ or ‘where shall we go today”.

All other skills such as gross motor, fine motor, he knows letter sounds, can recognise numbers - are ok. No sensory issues, makes eye contact, smiles, laughs, enjoys ‘silly’ games with his sister, waves, points, likes being around other children - although he can’t engage in conversation with them.
His play is often rigid, he likes cars and will spend long periods pushing them, examining them and lining them up. However he will also pick
up a doll, or toy rabbit - find food and feed them - so some imaginary play. He loves patterns/textures on clothes/carpet and will examine them for a long time.

He has an EHCP and is about to start mainstream Reception. He is on the waiting list for an ASD diagnosis test.

I work with children, and I have never really come across a child with similar needs to him - although I’d say his needs are similar to children I’ve taught who don’t speak English as their first language. Even the Ed Psych said ‘he is a bit of a mystery’. I’m finding that because he is generally ‘good’ behaviour wise, and quiet - he is being quite overlooked? I’ve really pushed for the EHCP (he is getting 20hours a week).

Just like to hear from anyone with similar speech delay experience, whether it’s likely to be ASD - how things will be for him going forward - whether he’ll ever really learn how to speak and communicate? His preschool is generally play, but he struggles to pay attention in whole class situations. Moving to reception he’ll be expected to listen more, and I’m concerned how he will cope? He looks much younger than his age (more like a 2 or 3 year old).

Iv 2 kids with language issues. I did a really interesting course explaining where all the different places in language processing and speech can have issues, and be different for each child.
Both of mine with language issues were under salt for years from 2+, both ended up having dyslexia diagnosis (age 7) and processing issues. One ended up with asd diagnosis and other an adhd diagnosis. However I don't think their asd or adhd diagnosis are linked to their speech and language issues as such. To reassure you both can communicate verbally really well though find reading and writing tiring. We found things like reading eggs, nessy, word hornet book very good

My DD was very quiet and well behaved in Nursery and Primary School. Well for most of High School really, until she wasn't.

She had a slightly different speech delay in that she simply didn't speak until she was 3 then started talking but had issues with mixing up some consonants in the middle of words. Think things like cossee instead of coffee.

It's been a long road but she's finally on the Pathway. In a way I think you're lucky that he's in the waiting list so young

Hi, my little boy is similar. He is 4 past in April (also looks much younger) He has a speech delay and he is currently attending private SLT every two weeks. He is also on pathway for ASD assessment. Since Christmas we have seen a good improvement in his speech. He has started to put short sentences together "Wait for me", I'm hungry "I want waffles and Fishfingers" "I want to go to the big shop" "I hurt my knee" "I missed you" etc. Lots of requests and will answer simple questions. His pronunciation can still be unclear and we have started to work on speech sounds in therapy. I am delaying his school start until Sept 24 as I feel another year will benefit him. He sleeps well at night, eats okay (no worse than his older siblings) no major problems with behavior. Eye contact can vary, especially with people he is unsure about. Loves numberblocks and alpfablocks (bordering on obsessive) however he does also love playing with his paw patrol, peppa pig, and trampoline. Plays really well with his cousins. But like you not sure what the future may hold for him. Just trying to get him as much support now as we can before he starts school next year. Would love to hear positive stories.

Thanks for all responses!

@brenda26 - that does sound similar - although my DS wouldn’t really understand the concept of ‘missed’ or ‘hurt’. Interesting that you have delayed a year too, I don’t feel that DS is ready for reception. He is currently placed in the younger year group at his preschool (2/3) and looks nowhere near looks-wise in age/ speech development to the 3 to 4’s. However I feel there are areas he is on track (he is reading simple books and good with number), fine and gross motor. Also similar bordering obsessive Numberblocks/Alphablocks. He doesn’t seem to ‘want’ to talk and prefers to be silent. Yesterday we were on a four hour car journey and he was silent the whole time - staring at cars out the window.

He does enjoy the company of other even though he can’t converse with people. He likes cuddles, and finds things funny - he does engage with people.

DS gets a block of therapy - followed by a gap. I don’t know if he needs more, or I should be pushing for more.

His Ed Psych seemed to think he would get an ASD diagnosis, but it seems very subjective and woolly. The paediatrician was more doubtful - as he greeted her, has no real sensory issues - and answered some of her basic questions.

Yes! My son is the same, will happily sit in the car and say nothing, sometimes will point out a sheep if he sees it! I sometimes wonder if it's just his nature to be quieter. With regards sensory issues, he is fine in crowds, we have taken him to football matches which were loud and crowded and no issues. However he doesn't particularly like slime or wet messy textures, so we always have that concern along with the speech. However I keep thinking if he never touches slime in his life will it really adversely effect him that much. Perhaps I'm naive though and these issues will get worse as he gets older. I'm just not sure. It's a wait and see game really. Wishing you and your wee boy all the very best! x