Published on 12, July, 2020
hi everyone
i have joined the community as there is a strong possibility my little boy (4yrs old) has ASD. It's really early days - school have been having problems with his behaviour in the classroom. I'm feeling pretty stupid as I haven't noticed. I'm a health visitor and to me my son has just always been the way he is - never a problem.I think I've adapted how I am with him (compared to my older son) because I'm familiar with behaviour strategies but I think I've inadvertently been masking symptoms. I've had family who have said the same as school. And now when I piece all his little quirks together, it hits me in the face. The school SENCO is observing him next week. Should I be taking him to GP too or will things happen from school? I'm totally confused.
Thank you indieman
When we were involved with SALT; we found them, largely, useless. They are unable to pass judgement on whether your son might or might not be autistic so hopefully they didn't. As far as feeling a fool; you shouldn't in my opinion. You should celebrate that you see your son as what he is: unique and with specific needs but, ultimately, still a person. Oten you see comments from parents that focus on the negative connations of ASD and ignore the positives, often seeing the positives can take time. That you are already doing that should be celabrated. Certainly don't see yourself as a fool - so little is know about ASD outside of forums like this that in many ways - unless you already knew what 'signs' to look for and were somehow aware already that you should be looking for them you will only ever be starting from a position of playing 'catch-up'. In short don't be hard on your self and don't let 'the professionals' involved tell you there is nothing to worry about because the only person who kows your son well enough to really know is you...
Hi indieman
I think I will book an appointment then. My son was seen by speech and language therapy in April time. At the time she had felt that his issues were only in the school environment (he was at school in the morning in nursery and at a childminder in the afternoon). He is very quirky and I don't think I realised how many of his quirks pointed to possible ASD and tbh he isn't particularly a problem to me and my husband as we just deal with any meltdowns and quirky behaviours. I think I probably played down his needs with speech and language therapy because I hadn't viewed them as a problem. I feel really dumb but to us it's always been his personality. The more I'm learning about more subtle signs of ASD the more I'm worrying. Thank you for sharing your experience. Any further information would be much appreciated. Thanks again.
Hi Oldbeanuk.
If you are wanting to begin the diagnosis process then there is nothing wrong at all with requesting such through your GP - your SENDCO will refer for speech thereapy but they are not able to diagnose ASD so it needs to go to a specialist - the best way to get through to a specialist is to talk to your GP about the things you've noticed. I am talking from fairly recent experience; my now 6 year old son was diagnosed last year, so, for that matter, was I; so I have recent experience that I am more than willing to share with you.
best,
Indieman.
Thank you
Hi i think the school normally refer the child on to a child psychologist / speech therapy if they feel there is need for further investigation. i can only recall going to see my G.P with my son because i knew deep down something wasn`t right and i wanted to get him refered. is there a school nurse present at your school ?, if so i would most certainly be asking them about what procedures they have in place if they have concerns about his behaviour patterns and what steps they take . normally your childs progress and achievements would be monitored with a SEN support plan as i mentioned if they feel there is need for further investigation . hope this helps.