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
