Talking about autism with an 8 year old

My son is 8 years old and not diagnosed yet, been waiting a year and a half for an assessment but the paediatritian and teachers say it's very likely to be high-functioning ASD. I haven't mentioned anything about this to him. I'm worried that if I don't start doing this soon, he'll just have his own more negative way of describing himself to himself. We talk about difficulties he has with sensory things, and I tell him it's ok to feel like that. He has difficulties with interacting with other children, playing and with making friends. My question is, when do you start talking to a child about autism as a specific thing? 

Parents
  • I am in a similar position with my daughter who is nearly 8 we have been desperately trying to get help or a diagnosis for her, she knows that she is "quirky"  but how to to explain it to her is difficult we are honest with her but without the proper diagnosis we worry that telling her could give her more to worry about and that just leads to total meltdowns. 

    Any advice on this would be great also any advice on sleep as she only gets between 3-5 hours of broken sleep a night and has done for the last 4 years 

    Again any help appreciated 

Reply
  • I am in a similar position with my daughter who is nearly 8 we have been desperately trying to get help or a diagnosis for her, she knows that she is "quirky"  but how to to explain it to her is difficult we are honest with her but without the proper diagnosis we worry that telling her could give her more to worry about and that just leads to total meltdowns. 

    Any advice on this would be great also any advice on sleep as she only gets between 3-5 hours of broken sleep a night and has done for the last 4 years 

    Again any help appreciated 

Children
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