Published on 12, July, 2020
hi everyone, first post so looking some much needed advice (and encouragement).
We have a lovely 18month old son who (we think) is displaying some worrying traits. He was a 4lb premature baby but didnt need any special care and thrived. He walked early and started babbling early. He sleeps great and eats near enough anything. He started saying mama and dad at about 13 months. Other small words followed like banana, light, apple etc. The last couple of months we have noticed he doesnt talk as much but still says the odd word (ball, dad etc). He climbs and is very active - loves going for walks. He doesnt really interact with other kids, he would smile at them sometimes but isnt interested in playing with them. He is an only child. He will only play with toys a bit (cars, ball). The worrying things he dors is he rolls everything between his hands (from an early age) but we didnt think much of this. Recently he has started looking out the sides of his eyes a few times a day (usually when hes tired). occasionally he would flick his fingers too. He does give eye contact and smiles a lot at us. He can point when he wants something. When I google things it has worried me sick that his development is slow and he should be talking more. we brought him to the GP who was pretty useless - no real interest in talking about what milestones he has hit "he is still a baby, come back in 6 months if you're still worried". We also visited our HV who says his general health is great but he should be saying more words. She has referred him for an assessment. Being the impatient person i am I have enquired about private assessments and a private diagnosis as I have read not to leave it until 3 or 4 for a diagnosis and help, intervention is needed now if something is wrong. We have previous bad experience with fertility with the NHS and their "just wait it will be fine" attitude.
We are breaking our hearts that our little boy might be affected but of course he will be loved the same. We just want the best for him. Would really appreciate any advice.
Hi
I very much appreciate that you are deeply worried about your little boy, love him very much and want the best for him. I also know that you don't yet know that much about autism. But talking about autism as 'something wrong' is not respectful of autistic people. There is nothing wrong with us and we were all once autistic children and have grown up to live good and worthwhile lives.
Whatever you read on the internet please don't think that if your son is autistic its a dreadful and awful thing. I'm not saying it won't require a great deal of adjustment and effort from you to see the world as your son sees it. Please don't think of your son as having anything wrong with him, he is just different and respecting and honouring that difference is the greatest gift you can give him.