Is my 2 year old autistic?

[OrangeJuice9]

DS is 2.5y and I’ve been thinking for quite a while now he could be autistic. He has severe speech delay, babbles in lots of sentences but only really says 10ish true words and doesn’t seem to be improving

nursery have raised concerns about his behaviour, if children are playing near him he’ll be fine for a while but then might get overwhelmed and hit them or push them away. Nursery have said they’ve been keeping an eye on him and when they can see he’s getting overwhelmed they’ll take him away to do some activities by himself. However nursery have said the past week or so this has improved vastly, but prior to that it was quite a concern

He’s an awful sleeper, always has been. Has severe split nights and will wake 1am-4am and just be wide awake

Also likes a certain routine and will become upset if he doesn’t get to ring the doorbell at nursery for example, and needs to wave goodbye to everyone. Although he is only upset for a short while. He doesn’t seem to have much fear and will often run off when we’re out and not come back, won’t stand on the pavement and will run into the road

on the flip side makes good eye contact, eats really well, plays nicely with adults.

is this typical toddler boy behaviour or should I be concerned? He was referred to Portage who said he doesn’t come under them but in hindsight I wish I had said more about him not playing well with other children and a few other things

[needhopeandluck]

Have you done the mchat?

[OrangeJuice9]

@needhopeandluck yes, after reading similar threads I did it and he scored a 3 at medium risk

[needhopeandluck]

Why did he score 3? What skills are missing?

[ThomasinaLivesHere]

I don’t have any advice but most of your post is so similar to my son who I’m worried about.

[Jay9xx]

I was in denial for a long time because nursery was telling me 'she will get there' 'shes just stubborn' but my gut always knew she was different. She's now 3.5 Yr and im accepting she possibly has non verbal autism. There is alot of signs with your DS similar. The lack of sleep and lone play are big ones and others too. I would say listen to your gut and get early intervention. I had a few friends say she might have autism and I was so offended .but they were right I just didn't want to see or accept it. I'm now laying with her wide awake at 0015 because she doesn't sleep either 🥴 remember nurseries aren't qualified to give a diagnosis or their opinion on autism so they tend to sugar coat things i find.

[OrangeJuice9]

Thanks @Jay9xx - here I am with DS who is awake! Does your DD take a while to get to sleep or does she wake in the night? And when you say non verbal does she babble a lot or not talk at all?

Due to speech delay the HV is returning in 6 months so I think at that point if things haven’t changed I will lay it on thick that I think there is something underlying.

whilst being awake I’ve also remembered that DH brother is ASD! I’ve always been saying to the people we have had contact with that there’s no family history (and of course DH hasn’t thought/remembered to mention it to any of them!)

I also noticed today that DS may have started stimming. Lots of hand flapping when excited or frustrated. Maybe I’m consciously looking for these things, but I‘ve been thinking for months (if not a year!) that he’s ASD…

[OrangeJuice9]

@ThomasinaLivesHere have you had 2 year check yet? Did HV say anything?

[Jay9xx]

Hey @OrangeJuice9 just seen the time you are awake.. been there many many times. So we find if DD has a nap in the day she sleeps better at night bedtime has to be around midnight for us to get a good sleep. If we don't give her a daytime nap and try 8-10pm bedtime she's is up between 1-3am and thats her until nursery at 0730. So we stick to the daytime nap (2 + hours) anything less she doesn't sleep at night. Also you have to fulfill their senses at night so massaging their legs and arms before bed. Swinging them around (sounds mad) but it works. Rolling them in a bracket and unroll And make a tight sleeping space so when they go to turn over they hit off something like a pillow. I have made 2 big pillow walls on each side so shes tight in when sleeping. (I got this advice from a lady who's comes and gives support as I was losing the will to live with no sleep). If its a nice night take him to park and put him on the swing before bed (one of their senses). Its a non stop chore with ASD but needs must. She is babbling and repeating words but there is no communication asking for things or saying yes or no ,mum or dad so I say non verbal as in no communication. She has echoloea and will repeate words clearly. She doesn't take instruction and there is no reasoning with her. I've tried football and dancing.. try looking for ASN sessions at soft plays ect and see how you feel being around other kids and parents if you feel like belong then you will know.. mothers gut.. sorry I've rambled on. X