Hi I am nannie to 14 grandchildren and each and everyone of them is special. My 17 year old granddaughter suffered a bleed on her brain due to birth trauma. Having come into the world at 28 weeks gestation. As a small child she was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder and her mum recieved support with her starting nursery at 2yrs old and advice with eating, stimming and routines. Throughout school she struggled with noise, changes in routine eg if she had a different teacher that day. In year 11 she really struggled with school and my daughter had to take her into reception and try to encourage her to stay. She would have a complete meltdown. She did manage to do her exams which is great. All this time she was waiting to be referred to CAHMs as they were now living in a different county. My daughter was told they don't recognise SPD here. So my daughter felt like she was unsupported through high school. She is now 17 and after assessments she has finally been diagnosed with Autism including ARFID. She is doing an animal care course and is having good support . So I'm pleased for her. Although she still struggles with social anxiety.
My daughter has always been good at dealing with the ups and downs of parenting a child with Autism issues. However she is a special guardian to her nephew who has been with her since birth. He is now 20 months and is showing obvious signs of autism. Although the health visitor and support workers at the stay and play sessions have all picked up on it, the GP won't refer him for assessment till he's 2 years old.
He used to say daddy and grandad but is totally non verbal now. He doesn't have eye contact and is obsessed with balls. He won't play with other toys or show interest in activities where he has to sit for one second. He likes spinning or being upside down but hates noises such as vacuum cleaner.
Over the past couple days he's been waking at 5am and having massive tantrums for no obvious reason. I was wondering if he has teeth coming through.
We are using marathon to help with communication but he's not showing any signs of watching us so it's difficult.
Any advice would be appreciated. Sorry for the long post.