3 yr old speech delay, is it autism?

[Emilyplays84]

My speech delayed son is just over 3 and has been attending school nursery since Sep. He says a few single words but not consistently. His receptive language is also behind but not nonexistent. He's been having group speech therapy at school and will be having a speech and language assessment by a therapist who works at the school before Xmas. It's been raised that they may look to do an application for autism based on this assessment and teacher observations.

He is a happy boy that has some traits of autism, primarily with his social interaction. He is very happy to play alone and often seems in his own world (maybe less so recently). He is super affectionate with adults and his eye contact has improved a lot. He doesn't do carpet time at nursery, but he hadn't been to nursery before Sep so that whole concept is new to him. He's settled well emotionally after a tough few drop offs initially. He likes routine but not obsessively...he can have a meltdown if taken somewhere that he wasn't expecting, not always though. Does this sound familiar with anyone elses little ones? So hard to know if he's just behind or if autism is likely.

@Emilyplays84 could you kindly let me know how nursery has helped? We are in a similar situation.

Its a tricky question, how long is a piece of string really. I think you are right to have some concerns and spot the red flags, but I honestly don't think you should be panicking either. It sounds like you already have everything in hand with the upcoming assessment.

I work with that age group and nothing you say is unusual. Many kids get upset if something unexpected happens and many do not speak in pre school or just have very limited words. Its also normal at 3 to parallel play only, many kids are 4 before they learn to play co-operatively. Autism traits is something we watch out for, but our concerns have been proven wrong so often as a child might start one way in September and they are like completely different people by the following year. Please don't get too hung up on it yet, you are doing all you can for now.

There are certain manners that young children with autism have, I have noticed over the years (I have DS with this) and its almost impossible to explain, I have no particular expertise in this area to put words on it. One particular one is when a child enters a room they blank the people but notice the toys or items and run to touch and take everything they see into their hands. Being overly or inappropriately affectionate is another one. Becoming very distressed during a transition time (tidy up time or putting on coats) is another. Not understanding instructions, or not noticing what other children are doing. For example we often have children with no english but if they see everyone sitting on the floor they will instinctively follow. A child with autism will not notice or care that everyone is sitting down.

If you are worried I'd say schedule a proper sit down meeting with the school staff, ask them to take notes in advance. It might help to do this sooner rather than later so you can be prepared for whatever happens in the assessment.

It sounds like further assessment would be a good idea.

Alalalalalongalalalalalonglonglilong your generalisations apply to some with autism, but certainly not all.