Hi, I am looking for some advice about how to tell my best friend that I think her son is autistic. I just dont know how to tell her.
My partners cousin is autistic and I am seeing so many of the same qualities in my friends son. He was 3 years old in september '14 and really struggles still with communication, its as though he just doesnt understand what we ask him to do or are telling him. He can speak when hes not refusing to acknowledge us and stares at the floor but he can very rarely hold a conversation and pronunciation is fairly poor. He is refusing right now to even tell me his name and just shaking his head. He is still in nappies full time and refuses to use a potty or toilet or even tell us when he has dirtied his nappy. His behaviour in general isnt naughty, he just refuses to listen or doesnt understand to the basic of instructions, for example "put the tissue in your pocket". Half of the time behaviour is better and he will play well but the other half is a struggle and he is even worse when tired. I admit I am comparing him to my own son to a point, I do know each child is different however my son at this age could speak more clearly, spell his name and was beginning to write it and count to 100. Things my friends son is nowhere near doing. I have had my suspicions for a long while but the older he gets the stronger I feel that he isnt developing as he should be. Can you please help me and tell me if what I am describing is typical of autism and if so how can I discuss this with my friend without hurting our friendship.