2 yr old getting autism assessment

I know how frustrating it can all be, unfortunately it took me over 3 years to get Bounce dx, he is now 5 and starting to get some help gradually. Being the youngest of 7 and youngest of 5 with s/n (special needs) it was easy for me to identify somethink was up but having a paed who ignored everythink that was said and didnt acknowledge what was truly going on really did do my head in. After a bumby 20 months I contacted medical secretaries and after 15 calls I got a new paed and she is marvelous, she dx him the same day on his 1st appointment but it has been a struggle with school who have only just accepted his dx (which was made in June 2012).

Its not always easy and I am still learning but we get there in the end :)

Wish you all good luck with the assessment process.

hi, i am also awaiting the assessment stage, my daughter is 20 months old and i was begging the docs for help fromher been 13 months old. they referred her to community pediatrics in october and got a call telling me its a 16-18 weeks waiting list but theyre going to try and push it to before xmas for me. im so lost with everything at the moment and dont know if im coming or going, or how long an assessment can take. ive been told they dont like to start assesskejts till 18months but they dont like to diagnose till 2 most of the times 3 - 5 yrs old. 

i just cant go this long without knowing. its so irritating when u know something is wrong and all the signs are there but u have to sit and wait.

whats the estimated time from the first assessment to the diagnosis?

Hi! Our daughter is 30 months old and going through diagnosis. We have had our first two assesments from Speech and Language and a physiotheapist and are seeing a neurologist a week before Christmas. 

It's good to see someone on here with a similar aged child as something I think people think 'she's just a typical toddler' and it's something she will grow out of, but I and the medical professionals obviously know differently.

Welcome!

Lisa 

Hi, yours is the first discussion I've read - I registered with this site today because I was having a bad morning and wanted to whinge on the helpline, but luckily it doesn't open until 10, so I've calmed down a bit, and read your post, and then  REALISED HOW FAR WE'VE COME since our son was 2!  

I think you are going through the toughest bit.  Everyone will tell you that you're so lucky to have your son's differences recognised so early, and so lucky to get an early diagnosis, and hopefully even a place on an EarlyBird Course......but of course really you're thinking, 'Why us? Why should his life be more difficult than his brother's? It's not fair!'  

I just wanted to say, it honestly does get more manageable.  My son is now four, and we can now communicate.  Not always in a neurotypical way (he has a neurotypical twin sister, and a baby sister, and obviously they are like chalk and cheese) but we DO communicate. We are slowly, slowly working on all the dull stuff: eating, toileting, routines, making choices, sleeping, etc, and slowly, slowly working on the more interesting stuff, too, like learning how to play and talk.

in six months' time you will be able to look back and start to see your new style of relationship with your son developing.  I really wish you every bit of good luck!  It is the most wonderful thing to start communicating and playing in a meaningful way for the first time - really special. 

Good luck

Jo x

id be lying to you if i said its all been a bed of roses thats for sure, i do have bad days now and then, my biggest ongoing problems seem to be with education, and anything to do with it. just because my experiences with this havnt been good dosnt mean yours will also be that way, i sincerley hope that you wont experience the problems i have. fingers crossed for you. 

i actually quite enjoyed home schooling, its not easy but it is rewarding. i actually only have my son home schooled at the moment.

im in sussex. ive been reading your older posts and you have been having a really bad time havnt you. i suppose ive got it all to come. home schooling cant be easy xx

hi again.

yes autism certainly is very complex, and affects people in very different ways.There is lots of info on this web site, if you havnt read it already i found it easier to understand than a lot of the books which a lot of the time i found terribly confusing. i would say dont overload yourself with too much info all at once, you will do your own head in.

i think the key is to be patient, eventually you will understand his little quirks and ways, so you will know which things to do and which not to. You already deserve a big well done for recognising he has difficulties and getting help

in my experience the assessment process can take quite a long time, which in itself is frustrating, i guess this will vary from place to place

hi there thanks for the reply. so you have 4? you must be VERY busy!!! are they lower end of the spectrum or higher? i dont understand any of it really. i read about it but it just doesnt seem to be sinking in yet.its so complex isnt it. i just want to know all about my boy NOW and what to do for him NOW and to be able to understand nim. i know i have to be patient and wait and its a long process but its so frustrating x

hi,

i have 2 boys age 3 and 4. one diagnosed one under assessment. i completley understand how difficult it is having 2 toddlers, the word which most springs to mind is exhausting! i sometimes find it difficult to do normal things like go food shopping, everything has to be planned. to be honest another set of eyes ears and arms would come in handy.

i also have 2 older daughters 1 diagnosed, 1 under assessment. my daughter was diagnosed 6 years ago, so i knew the signs with the boys and i didnt stress so much about the worry of whether it was just me, and whether i couldnt cope as i did when my daughter was younger. but i understand how you beat yourself up, and the relief when you find out it wasnt just you.

its really good that you are getting some help, and that your sons difficulties are aknowledged, hopefully you can both get the support you need