My Nephew

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice? My Nephew is nearly three, speach delayed, stims, hand flapping and arm straightening, he doesn't respond to his name, stares blankly at me when his Mum opens the door and then looks to the floor, he repeates words over and over, has eaten mud, chalk and play doe, isn't affectionate, has meltdowns, has smashed four tv's. I take him to the soft play/ball park every week which he loves and he does play with other children and screams with delight. I love him so much and I am desperately worried about him. His Mum and Grandma both refuse point blank to acknowledge there are any issues and I am worried he should be getting the help and support he needs. Any ideas on what I can do to help him would be really appreciated. 

Parents Reply Children
  • Thank you, I hadn't thought about it that way but you're right. I have a lot to learn!

  • I highly doubt there would be any need for her to mention alcohol during pregnancy. Nobody will even ask what "caused" the autism. 

  • He does go to nursery, I fear that they will have approached my sister about the speach delay buy that she would be unwilling to do anything about it. She drank alcohol throughout her pregnancy and doesn't want that to come out. I will take your advice suggest ways she can help him without telling Mum the techniques are aimed at autistic children and continue to support him as much as possible. You reply has been very helpful, thank you 

  • Thank you so much for your very helpful reply, it's very much appreciated. 

  • It must be hard recognising the signs and not being able to do anything as parents aren't listening, I would echo candlewax you are right to be concerned (I'm not a professional)  alot of the behaviours can be considered normal ( they all eat the odd bit of dirt) but when you consider it all together it is enough to show a problem especially breaking 4 tvs! 

    Is he at preschool yet? You mentioned that he has delayed speech if preschool pick up on that they will recommend speech and language therapy, who should pick up the behaviours also preschool may notice and mum might be more receptive hearing it from a professional. 

    My partner was quite anti having our daughter assessed when she was younger (we knew but he didn't want her labeled) however it has got more difficult as she got older as she has learnt to cover alot of her quirks in public but the stress it causes her is huge. My point is that sometimes parents don't like being told that there is something different about their child, 

    Keep supporting them as much as you can research ways to help him try and suggest them without necessarily telling mum that the techniques are aimed at autistic children that way he gets support without causing arguments.

    Good luck