Need Urgent Advice...we are clueless

I am working in Woking (Surrey) and we are returning citizens from Australia. Our son has just turned two and we are seeing some unusual behavior in him which has traits of Autism. These include:
  • Does not respond to name calling.
  • Lack of eye contact
  • Regression in speech - loss of 3 meaningful words and gestures such as clapping, waving, etc.
  • No meaningful playing with toys - everything goes to the mouth or he throws it back
  • Does not point to objects or notices objects when we point at it.
  • Does not speak any more than (mama, papa) 
  • Gazes in blank and at bright light
  • Keeps to himself - keeps running and jumping and shouting at times

We are very concerned parents and we URGENTLY need advice on the following:

1. How. do we decide which therapy to go for.
2. Do we wait till he is formally diagnosed and assessed by the NHS? I hear it takes months.
3. Do we start ABA or similar therapy while we wait
4. Where do we find these basic guidance?
 We are very concerned parents and your response to the above questions are very VITAL.
Parents
  • Agree with above poster.  You are in panic mode right now.  Even as an adult the brain can have plasticity, at only 2 years old you don't need to be worrying yet.  It's true that the earlier intervention the better, but that doesn't mean it has to be from professionals.

    Start using PECS and reward charts and whatever else you can find that parents can do at home, but hold off on professional treatments because not all treatments are right for every individual and you need to be sure.

Reply
  • Agree with above poster.  You are in panic mode right now.  Even as an adult the brain can have plasticity, at only 2 years old you don't need to be worrying yet.  It's true that the earlier intervention the better, but that doesn't mean it has to be from professionals.

    Start using PECS and reward charts and whatever else you can find that parents can do at home, but hold off on professional treatments because not all treatments are right for every individual and you need to be sure.

Children
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