Waiting for a diagnoses

Hello,

My Son who has just turned 4 is on the waiting list for an assessment for autism. He has traits of autism but i think I'm in denial. Some days i will think his absolutely fine, then other days I'm thinking okay he is... 

is this normal for a parent to feel like this? I just want to know now if he is or not, it won't make any difference because his perfect but it would explain why he reacts the way he does to certain things.

Could someone explain autism to me? I'm pretty new and still trying to educate myself. 

Thank you! 

  • Hi :) I just want to say I fully agree with Martin's comments - He "can be perfectly fine and autistic as well". I'm autistic myself and so are several of my close friends. It can add some additional challenges in certain situations or environments (eg. social situations or sensory challenges) but it also has its positives: for example for me my ability to hyperfocus, my love for detail and my special interests make me good at my work as a scientist. 

    I think it's good you are seeking an assessment early on for your son- I only realised I was autistic recently at age 25 and I wish I had known sooner: it helped me to understand 'why I feel different' and why I struggle with some situations/things- now that I know I can work towards dealing better with some of the challenges. 

  • We feel like that about ourselves before we self-identify, official diagnosis is just confirmation

    I haven't got children but I think I would feel exactly like that as well about them before their diagnosis

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80_ATHp6xPg&list=PL3R_uyUBjsuCX4FellgOexpKXdyIv9j3q for starters

  • He can be perfectly fine and autistic as well. Autism is characterised by persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction, restricted and repetitive patters of behaviour, activities or interests and, very often, sensory difficulties. While autism imposes difficulties and limitations, it does not automatically lead to an unfulfilling or unenjoyable life. I am autistic and one of my daughters is autistic. I had a long fulfilling and moderately successful career in scientific research, I married and, obviously, had children. 

    If you are autistic and do not have an intellectual disability, the majority of autistics have average or above average intellect, social communication with non-autistic people is not done subconsciously, it is done by conscious mental effort. This means that socialising is often stressful and is always exhausting. Sensory difficulties - I have problems with the feel of certain fabrics, some smells, bright light and noise - can be problematic, but often autistic people find ways to cope with or avoid triggering situations.