2.3 and showing signs of ASD?

[ag12345]

Hello everyone. This is my first time posting here and I don’t really know how to start it really but I’ve been having concerns since my DS was 18 months old.
he seemingly met all milestones on time if not a little early but when it comes to pointing with his index finger he did this around 18 months, then around 21 months pointing to request followed by some
words/labels. But no pointing to show interest? I know this is significant.
he does have good eye contact in terms of when asking for something he will look at me, and continues to make sure I’m following him to get what he wants etc. he’s social when playing with his big brother (6) likes to play side and seek, he also has imagination I.e putting things to his ear and says ‘hello’ and used other things as a phone, brushing his toy animals teeth, and feeding his toys, pushing duplo Lego down a toy slide and saying weeee. He also shows social referencing checking, will look for my reaction when doing something he knows he shouldn’t. He shows good understanding of instructions, and plays with toys appropriately. He did flap his hands when excited but that’s pretty much stopped and he jumps when excited!
doesn’t seem to have any sensory issues
he has got a good word bank too now. I’d say maybe 100 and starting to link every now and then. We had one 3 word sentences around x mas ‘jump on bed’ which made me really happy. He shows shared interest in books, and if I say ‘what’s is this’ he will tell me. No fine or gross motor issues and doesn’t need routine. (I know this may change)
he will say and wave bye bye when prompted. He does get generally happy to see people but won’t say ‘hello’ when greeting people.
he also doesn’t answer yes or no and has never shook or nodded his head.
it seems that it is social communication that is the issue for him.
we have his 2 year review coming up and I just feel lost where to go from here ? has anyone got any advice ?
could it be a social communication delay? Or does this sound like ASD?

Sorry and just to add. He also has a good bank of nursery rhymes. Can’t always make out the words but the tune gives it away. His favourite is ‘wheels on the bus’
he can also count to 12 very distinctively and is also attempting to count to 20 now. Which is making me think he’s a gestalt language processor

Hi OP, my DD is 2.4 and is under professionals for suspected ASD. I say suspected because we’re waiting for all reports to come back from IEYS, SALT etc to send off to a pead for an assessment.

does he stim? Any Issues with food? How is he in loud environments? Does he mix with other children/ groups?

@FOX26 hi thanks for replying.
no I don’t feel he stims. He jumps up and down when excited but nothing else other than that.
no issues with loud noises, and he eats anything. He plays along side other children. And when I have kids over he is interested in them. He almost took my friends little girl by her hand last week.

@ag12345 hi op, I’m by no means an expert in autism however from what you’ve described I wouldn’t think he was autistic, although the spectrum varies massively.
my DD is suspected ASD due to how sensory she is, so this contributes in every aspect of her life. She stims (rocking constantly, spinning, eye twitching, hand flapping etc) aswell as humming as means of comfort. She is non verbal, potentially suffers with ARFID (has a VERY limited diet, only eats mainly toast and crisps, suffers with constipation as a result, point blank refuses most foods and would quite literally rather starve than eat something other than her comfort food), she doesn’t interact with others only adults, has no sense of danger, she also can’t tolerate certain noises or certain clothing, she fluctuates between meltdowns and shutdowns and will harm herself and others around her without a second thought. HOWEVER, there are children the total opposite but still on the spectrum with other needs/ traits. Every child is different.
Does your dc go to nursery? Have they raised any concerns?

I don’t really see any signs of ASD as his social communication skills seem good. What signs are you worried about ? You say he pointed at 18 months? Was this to request and share interests too?

@FOX26 No he doesn’t yet. He’s going to start in April. I’m in the UK and I get them 15 hours free come April.
no you see he doesn’t do any of that. His tantrums are usually for things he wants and once he gets them he stops. I generally know what he’s moaning about.
I know what you mean about being a spectrum. And there’s a little part of me that wonders if he’s social communication delayed? Rather than ASD. I’m not quite sure. He is progressing, but it’s this lack of social communication is what’s bothering me.
he absolutely knows how to get what he wants verbally mostly but if not he will point to what he wants. If he wants us to open the gate he will say ‘open’
it’s a difficult one.

@ag12345 I’m agreeing with you that maybe it is more a speech/ communication delay rather than ASD. ASD is very complex. From my experience I wouldn’t say that he was autistic, have you spoken to any health professionals about your concerns?

also editing because your DC does seem to be progressing, you may find at his 2 year review he’s scores are good for his development!

@FOX26 No I haven’t yet.
and I’ve already looked at the questions for the 2 year review and I personally think he scores good on it. It’s really difficult all this not knowing. I’m going to speak to the HV about my concerns anyway and the nursery he goes to has a fair bit of experience with children that have SEN so I’m hoping they will flag it also. I’m also thinking of getting a private SALT to come and have a look at him

@ag12345 yes speak to your health visitor, she may be able to offer you reassurance, do you have your 2 review appointment booked in? If he’s scoring well on his development I wouldn’t worry otherwise. Have you looked at the social and emotional questionnaire? In my opinion this is the main one that will outline whether there are ASD traits. May be worth having a look if not. But as I say from what you’ve described I think he will be fine! Nursery will also support in helping his speech and will be able to help with any concerns you have

@FOX26 no I haven’t. I’m going to have a look at that. Do you not think my concerns about pointing to share interest is something that I should be concerned about ? X

@ag12345 so by pointing do you mean pointing to show you things? My DD has only recently began pointing, but this may be his way of showing you something due to the lack of communication. My DD is very bright and knows a lot but because she can’t speak she tries to communicate in other ways such as hand leading etc. maybe this could be the case for your DC? X

believe it or not but it’s actually a positive sign that he is pointing, because it shows he is trying to communicate

@ag12345 sorry OP I think I’ve gotten a bit confused, did you mean he does point to show interest or doesn’t? X

@FOX26 So I’ve just done that questionnaire you told me to and he’s scored in the no or low concerns? so now I’m pretty baffled.
he points and verbalises a lot of things so if we’re in the bath and he wants more water he will point and say ‘water’ whilst giving me good eye contact almost waiting for me to do it?

@FOX26 no he doesn’t do that. But I scored that on the social and emotional questionnaire and it still came up low
risk?

@ag12345 hi op, that’s really positive! It’s also really positive that he is using speech to communicate his needs

i think the pointing alone wouldn’t indicate a concern regarding SEN. ASD is very complex and there is usually multiple different concerns before a health professional will sort of step in and say look this is our concerns and this is what we will do about it, but in my opinion he sounds like he is doing well development wise and if he’s also scoring low on the social and emotional questionnaire I wouldn’t worry

Ok lovely. Thank you for tonight. Shall I check back with you when I’ve had his 2 year review? x

@ag12345 sure! If you have any questions or need any more support I’m more than happy to help x

thanks lovely. Ill PM you? x

@angpat Hi lovely. Sorry I didn’t seem to see your reply. No he doesn’t point to share interests ? But will point to things in books when we are sat together. But he wouldn’t look back at me to see if I’m looking or anything

@ag12345 sounds more like social comm skills related than ASD. My son has been diagnosed with delay in social comm skills by the paediatrician. He is acquiring words every day, but he is using them to describe things to me or show me things and not to ask for what he wants. So pragmatic language related.

@needhopeandluck i feel this also…
have they said it’s a delay rather than a disorder ?
my son uses language to ask for what he wants. He sings nursery rhymes. Counts, he also uses very good eye contact when communicating with me, he initiates fun like hide and seek or peekaboo stuff. Good social referencing, will also come to me for comfort and show me where he’s hurt himself. It’s a real difficult one for me. He just doesn’t share interest by pointing and checking to see if I’m looking? What do you think?

@ag12345 she said delay because my son started pointing only at 2. He pointed when he was 12 months and stopped so he had a regression. He rather points to show interest than to ask for things.
If she said disorder it would be ASD. She said she would not rule it out, but they would not do an assessment before 3 as the diagnosis would not be reliable. Age 2 he scored 7 on M-Chat now he scores 2. So thinks can change in just a few months.

@ag12345 give him a bit of time. Sounds like he is doing well. My son brought a toy to show it to me for the first time ever days after he turnes 2. So things can change.

@needhopeandluck that’s really interesting. Does your son use other gestures such as nodding/shaking head?
my sons understanding is quite good too and like your son, he’s adding words every day virtually.
does your son call you mummy to gain your attention? He knows that I am mummy, and if someone says ‘give it to mummy’ he will give it me but doesn’t use it to get my attention. Well he has done but not regularly.
my son pointed with his index finger in books at 18 months but started to point for Things he wants around 22 months. He’s now 27 months. Would you advise I speak to my HV at the 2 year review?
and what was the issues with your son that lead to to the pead? If you want to PM feel free :)

@ag12345 he used to shake head no at 14 months then had a regression. Yes, he will call me to get my attention. He was diagnosed by a SALT with receptive language delay. He does not respond to his name yet and only follows few instructions. Receptive language disorder can exist on its own or can shadow ASD.
SALT said my son has a delay and that time will tell if he will catch up or whether it is a disorder.

If I were you I would speak to a SALT.
Does your son laugh together with you at the same thing? Is there shared enjoyment? Have you done the MCHAT?