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struggling to get recognition from my gp.

rachaeld

hi,my son is 19 months,and although he started to say simple words when he was about 12 months,he seems to have stopped and shows no interest in speaking(he makes sounds however).he also doesnt point or wave,doesnt show things etc.he only shows affection to me,and does not like being touched by most people.he also eats everything,i mean everything...paper,cardboard,cloth,even wood.he isnt hungry,as he eats a lot of food.the problem im having is that my gp,said because he is 'over-active' and makes some eye contact he cant be autistic.i'm worried that he wont get the help he needs,if i cant even get passed my gp.i want my son to start nursery when he is 2 years,but at the moment im struggling to find one that would offer the support he needs.my son hates a lot of noise and wont tolerate other children being in his space.he either completely ignores them...to the point he'll walk over them...or he can be violent.ive also been to a speech and language drop in centre,where a consultant observed my son,and has thankfully referred him to be assessed further,but this can take up to 6 months.my gp seems to know very little about the condition,and is very reluctant to help.are all autistic children under-active? because that seems to be what my gp is saying.very confusing.

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Hi Rachael, you have painted a much clearer picture now so I am sorry that I may have been too doubting and sceptical.

    The main thing at the moment, I guess, is to do everything to make him feel safer and more comfortable with other people. Is everyone in the family on their best behaviour and trying to be as caring and gentle with him as you are? There isn't any sibling jealousy going on with him being the new focus of attention?

  • no,its not so i can go back to work.i want him to have more opportunities,but i dont want to put him in the 'wrong' nursery.i am a student,and am planning on a degree when he starts full time school.i also have 3 other children,so i have a fair idea of what to expect.aswell as that,before having my youngest,i worked with special education needs children in mainstream schools.i am very much looking at it calmly.however,if my son is going to need extra help,i'd rather it be picked up on,sooner rather than later,so he has the best possible chance of a fulfiling life.he doesnt just avoid strangers,he is estranged from people,even in his own family.i am hoping that he is just taking his time,but in my gut i know there is something different.all i can do now,is wait for the assessment when he is two.yes,unfortunately there are alot of ignorant people out there,doctors especially.i myself know the basics,but not enough.thankyou for the advise.much appriciated :)

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Presumably you want him to go to nursery so that you can go back to work. If he is autistic then nursery may not be a great place for him but 19 months is quite young to make a diagnosis unless he is severely affected. Toddlers don't play nicely and they will avoid strangers - this is a safety mechanism that protects them - being close to mum is a really good and safe place for a child at that age. Have you looked up what is normal for a child of that age and made a calm assessment of whether he is behaving normally?

  • Also, kids with Autism sometimes do make eye contact. A lack of eye contact is not the only sign of autism, and is not necessary fior a diagnosis to be made. A child with Autism simply must display enough of the criteria, so no two autistic children are identical in presentation - this is why it is a spectrum condition.

    It is a myth that all autistic children actively avoid eye contact, and I am surprised your GP is not more educated on this matter, particularly after the Autism act and strategy.

  • The doctor does sound ignorant. In fact, over activity can be a sign, both of autism and potential ADHD (if it is very severe). Children with Autism often pace back and forth, repetitively touch objects (sometimes obsessively!), and can appear very energetic; the complete opposite to what your uneducated GP is telling you.

    I have Asperger's and was very over active as a baby and toddler; always on the go.

    Autism cannot usually be diagnosed before two years of age, but if you have concerns about development it is a good idea to have your son checked out and put on a waiting list for assessment at the two year mark.

    Good luck Smile

  • thankyou.it is difficult,especially as autism has such a wide spectrum.ive been researching,in the hope of finding a simple check list,but none seems to exhist.i suspect because no two people with autism are alike.my main query is,can over-activity be an indicator? the doctor would have me believe that children with autism dont touch things,and just stand there,making no eye contact what so ever.he didnt even attempt to talk to my son,who then threw a massive tantrum when the doctor came near him,to check his ears:)) thankyou for your response:)

  • Don't worry about coming off as neurotic, especially if you've only seen one GP so far- it is your right to seek a second opinion! I've come across some GPs in my time who have shocked me- one recently told me that a ganglion I had was not a cyst and would require surgery because that was the ONLY treatment option for a ganglion, which I knew wasn't true... I saw a different GP who was just as baffled as I was and he permanently treated it within about five minutes. If you feel the original doctor wasn't trustworthy or seemed ignorant, definitely go elsewhere. Good luck.

  • i am going to try this next.i just didnt want to come across as a neurotic mother.but it's not just me thats noticed his behavior etc.i just felt a bit dejected by the doctor.