Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi All,
I'm so pleased that I have found this forum.
My name is Natalie and I have a 2.5 year old little boy who has been diagnosed with Autism today.
I am 23 years old, married and have a second little boy who is almost 10 months.
I always noticed there was something a little different with my boy from being very tiny, he never cried, didn't look at us, he would smile though constantly. As the months went by he met all of his milestones like a 'regular' child. He chose to play alone, were fascinated by lights, glowing lights, flashing lights, candle light, street lights, car headlights.. The list goes on. He were a brilliant sleeper and got extremely upset if I bobbed his routine up, resulting in not being able to sleep easily and having broken sleep, he also ate alot, too! .. Up until Christmas 2014.
Our journey really began at Christmas time when he had a sudden meltdown and began to headbang the floor, during his head banging he covered his ears as if he had an ear infection/pain. This was just the beginning of what we thought was "a normal tantrum". With no success of getting a doctors appt just after Christmas, I ended up taking him to A&E worried about this ear infection sign - all clear. We studied these episodes of head banging, ear holding - then flapping of the arms, spinning in circles, refusing to eat wet foods, stopped playing with other children (enjoys his own company), commenting on how the ceiling lights "danced" at him (with very funny demonstrations - He is soo witty) I contacted my health visitor as his rages really started to affect me, I felt like he went to bed fine and woke up a different child, I felt like my boy had gone - He were there physically, but not mentally. Something was wrong.
.. Then today we received the news, our boy has autism and all of a sudden we felt very alone, lost, "why us? why him?".
I'm yet to research more into Autism, but for now I would love to speak to other parents, even other people with ASD.
Thank you for reading, Nx
Hi,
We had a diagnosis for my son at the age of 2. Your story sounds so similar to mine. My son is now 3 n a half and he does all what you have explained. He has no speech and no hand gestures. Once you get the diagnosis you can get all the professionals involved And we are in the process of trying to get everything we need to get him in a good school and he is currently in a pre school and has a one to one teacher Aswell. My son has speech therapy and we have an advisory team that comes and sees us regularly, also have an occupational therapist and attend support groups. It can be so difficult but I honestly believe getting a diagnosis early is the best.
Good luck on your journey xxx
Hi Natalie
I could of written your post for myself, I'm 27 and my gorgeous boy is 20months. I suspected something different with him at 8months old, he had the same symptoms as your boy only instead of being a smiley baby he was very grisly& frustrated. I did let my health visitor know my concerns when my little one reached 12months but I was told I was worrying over nothing! Now we're under a paediatrician who specialises in autism and he said we are on our way to a diagnosis. As my boy is so young it will take some more time&appoinments for the official diagnpsis but i already know he will be somewhere on the spectrum and the paediatrician has said this too. We have also started private therapy at a lovely clinic and our paediatriciam has refered us to speech therapy.
I have got myself into some states wondering how, why me and my boy but most of it is in my head! I enjoy him so much, he may be different to my friends children but he is prefect in my eyes and is his own little character. i just focus on all I can do to help my little one now and in the future Xx
Hi Leyton's mum
You have a diagnosis which means you know what you are dealing with and can start to look at support. There is a process to go through which is quite natural when your child is first diagnosed which includes the fear and uncertainty that you are feeling. We gave ourselves time to adjust to the idea for a while (your little boy is the same lovely little being he always was...nothing has changed there) and then I started to get proactive...reading, meeting people, talking to people online and researching what support we could get. Now each day is a new day and desite any challenges your little boy has he will continue to make you smile, amaze you and make your heart swell with pride just as any neuro typical child would.
I am no expert by any means...just another parent (grandparent and legal guardian actually) who has been through a similiar process to you and I can only tell you what I have experienced in the hope that something might be of use to you.