Has he/hasn't he

Hi Cenaj,

Thanks for the clarification. It sounds as though you are well and truly into the system and that you are getting good support.

I'm not a clinical expert, I discovered I had ASD at age 56 after many years of every mixed success in the world and have found this site invaluable for suggestions and materials. You don't need a diagnosis to make use of the forum and many people are are just looking to see what fits and what doesn't.

Your list has some characteristics that are found in people with ASD but also in other people with development delays or disorders from other sources. Bad eye contact, for example, can come from all sorts of things - we can't make anything of it so we don't do it. Other people will have other nervous system problems that would have the same effect. Diagnosis is different and often far from certain. There are things that add confidence to the diagnosis - family history for example - but it is not at all a precise process.

I'm not quite clear about exactly whay you want to get from an ASD diagnosis? I would hope that portage and salt etc will be tailoring what they do to suit him and are already likely to be doing the things that would help an autistic child in any case.

For adults with ASD we aren't delayed in some things - we just don't have the brain wiring to naturally make use of eye contact and some of the social tools that other people have. The delay can be permanent, it isn't in our genetic blueprint for how we are supposed to develop - the wiring will never develop in us. I don't know whether the effect of a prem birth can have the same impact as the effect of our somewhat dodgy or at least "different" genes. (The genetics is complex and this is my understanding of why I am as I am)

I do hope that you find things here and elsewhere that help. If you find something that works for him then use it. Don't be afraid to be unconventional but do be wary of the miracle cures that are offered - gene therapy in Panama for example! Getting the right understanding and things in place can make an enormous difference to the outcome and happiness of whatever the future holds for him.

Take care

:-)

Hi Cenaj. Electra says it nicely, I think, and so does 'Socks. Certainly you have a 'list' of traits there, some of which may be ASD in origin, but think on - it is autism Spectrum disorder, the emphasis is on the fact that we are all a complex mix under a general heading. That said, you are right to be on here and asking the question, so well done for that!

Try not to get overly concerned, difficult I know, but actualy some of us bless our particular talents, we just hate the downside...

We certainly can't comment more than that, it isn't our place to, and for my part I'm sure that I could easily spend time with a child and still be unable to tell the difference between expected behaviour and development, and something outside the range of those. Truthfuly, even ASD children have the usual development stages going on somewhere. Some of the comments about teenage ASD people reflect that one.

So, keep listing your concerns and observations so that you can present them to the appropriate people at the right time, they're a vital part of the assessment process, and put your trust in the professionals. If they are ASD specialists, they know what they're doing and like you, they will act in your child's best interests.

I should have also added that he is currently under a ped, SALT and Portage. I hope I didn't mis-lead anyone. 

It was more to see what others thought as at the moment we are gathering information to put forward for an assessment. It seems it will take a very long time. I just want to make sure I have all the information needed should anybody ask. I've read enough to know the common signs but was wondering if there is anything else I could be keeping an eye out for. 

We have been very lucky with all the people that have helped him so far but I feel a bit like I'm pulling teeth trying to get him assessed. 

All I want is what is best for him. He's done amazing and I couldn't be prouder. I just want as much support as possible to make sure he can do whatever it is that he wants by having the best care possible.

Thankyou

Totally agree with Electra. You have concerns and he has had a difficult path into the world so it wouldn't be a total surprise if he had developmental delays of some sort. Delays and difficulties of all sorts can be helped so please do go and seek professional help from your GP and the specialist services that they can introduce you to.

It would be silly and irresponsible for any lay person to offer an email opinion on the development of a child who is not yet three.

I understand your concerns but a doctor or paediatrician should be your first port of call to get them addressed.