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Potentially autistic son

Billy87

So I should start this by saying I am autistic myself.

Lately I have become almost certain that my son is autistic. When I first saw signs of autism in him I was reluctant to jump to conclusions cos I didn't want everyone thinking I was just assuming he was because I was if that makes sense. Over the last few months though it has become a lot more clear. He stims a lot, I started off by lending him my stimming toys but he gets very destressed and sometimes needs them at the same time I do so I have bought him his own and they really seem to comfort him. He asks for them when he gets destressed. 

He gets terribly destressed and has meltdowns whenever there is a change to his routine or something he has expected to happen changes. He slaps the sides of his head with both hands over and over when this happens and I worry he will hurt himself. 

He struggles to interact with other children, either observes them play or joins in with his own ideas and seems oblivious to the fact that they don't want to play the way he is playing. Its quite painful for me as it is like watching myself as a kid again.

My question is, if he is autistic, what is the best way to go about getting a diagnosis? He is nearly 3. I feel if we ask for a diagnosis now he will just get rejected because he is very friendly , makes eye contact and can do some imaginitive play although a very limited amount. I know none of those things are really indicators or not of autism at all but they are the lazy steryotypes that I hear doctors still look for so I am worried if we go for a diagnosis he will get rejected on that basis. 

Any help or advice is much appreciated 

Parents

  • Does he attend nursery? If so, talk to his class teacher or SENCO.  There are screening tests that can be carried to establish ASC as a probable dignosis.  Unfortunately, getting a clinical assessment may involve a long time on the waiting list unless you can afford to go private.  The school should be able to make reasonable adaptations even with a "possible" diagnosis.  Depending on his presentation, the nursery may ask for an EHCP assessment - but often educators prefer to wait until children start Reception because some kids have developmental delays and catch up by the time they start school, and others show more ASC symptoms as the demands of school, social and educational, increase.

    I suggest that you also talk to your Health Visitor or GP.

Reply

  • Does he attend nursery? If so, talk to his class teacher or SENCO.  There are screening tests that can be carried to establish ASC as a probable dignosis.  Unfortunately, getting a clinical assessment may involve a long time on the waiting list unless you can afford to go private.  The school should be able to make reasonable adaptations even with a "possible" diagnosis.  Depending on his presentation, the nursery may ask for an EHCP assessment - but often educators prefer to wait until children start Reception because some kids have developmental delays and catch up by the time they start school, and others show more ASC symptoms as the demands of school, social and educational, increase.

    I suggest that you also talk to your Health Visitor or GP.

Children
  • in reply to Ian

    He's starting nursery in September. I am hoping that it will be picked up on then and that might carry more weight if he is reffered by the nursery staff and they ask for an ECHP.

    My wife is going to talk to the health visitor next time she sees her. Thinking of going to the GP. 

    I feel like his autism is obvious to me but I dont know if it will be to the nursery if that makes sesne