Not sure where to start and hope it all makes sense. I just need some support from people who understand and have been there. My son Noah is coming up for 2. At 1 he was assessed as being severely delayed with his gross motor skills and because of toe walking got referred to physio. This lead on to orthotics and some lovely piedro boots. Anyway, due to his delay he was reassessed by the health visitor at 18 months which showed an additional delay in his social and communication areas. My hv said they would consider a referral for a child who scored over 50 and Noah scored 145. So a referral was done. During this time physio began to talk of a sensory processing disorder and with all the professionals involved the word autism was raised. He was growing more and more frustrated at not being able to communicate, he can't even point to something he needs so we were advised to use picture cues which help and nursery have taught us a few basic makaton signs which he does respond to. I'm not going in to great depth because there is so much more to it, but I just want to talk to people who have been there. We see the paediatrician on the 8th Sept. We have a referral to speech and language and the early support team. But I get so much negativity from people with children the same age. They say 'he can't be autistic, they wouldn't know at this age' etc. And I'm sure a formal diagnosis is a long way off but all I want is to help my son reach his potential, no label will change that or change how I help him. But surely if all these things have been put in place for Noah then I must seek out whatever help and support he needs. We know he has developmental delay, we know he toe walks and we know he has sensory issues. Surely helping him now is better than listening to the people who say it's stupid that I've accepted so many appointments for him :(