Sudden signs of Autism

Sorry mean thanks

Thank you to all your messages, sorry being new Ive only just noticed page 2!

I would be happy if any one else had an opinion, I so don't know what to think.

I will add that my little lad will scream at high pitch, be upset by out of line cushions and passes items from dish to dish instead of playing with toys.

He will kiss then slap or hair pull or bite and will switch within minutes, however he really does have the most loving,funny adorable nature.

He used to love my dogs, now he hits them and they are having to go

Why would things change so quickly?

From time to time, both of my children used to hurt me in the same way as other people were hurting them. I refer to bullying here. It can be a way of telling someone that someone is hurting them, without telling tales, or when they cannot put into words what is going on. It is always worth making a few enquiries and just asking him if someone has done that to him. It is much easier to nod or shake the head than it is to explain.

On the other hand, I met a parent once of a toddler who bit other children. She said her daughter liked to be hugged and kissed and wanted to do the same to others. If they pushed her away, she was upset and the kiss turned to a bite. I think this little girl was not AS, but it shows that child behaviour is extremely varied.

I agree with the earlier comment about routine and lots of loving support, but when it occurs, tell him that biting is wrong and ask him if someone has bitten him.

Whatever the outcome of his assessment, loving support is always needed, even if he sometimes rejects it, as AS children sometimes do.

Best wishes

I think we ought also to be considering the sensory issues that might be involved, as well as other factors.

Biting could be a need to sense his surroundings because he isn't getting enough sensory feedback. So worth exploring.

The other factor however is at some point another child or even an adult in fun has made a biting gesture and he is trying to emulate this as a way to communicate. Likewise hitting.

Even at three, difficulties emulating social referencing may mean trying to find other ways. Effectrive eye contact, or making the right noises, may not be successful.

I was imagining that you were describing a child in distress following some traumatic events. You may be thinking that his behaviour is autistic but it is actually the behaviour of an autistic child in distress and perhaps that is what you think an autistic child is like? If the family environment and school environment are sorted out and calm and supportive then he may become a much happier and secure child.

I was also making a very speculative suggestion that autistic behaviour in one of the parents may have contributed to the breakup of that relationship.

The trauma and difficulties experienced by autistic people often persist for many years through several generations of a family. If the condition is recognised then the cycle of trauma can be stopped in its tracks.

Thank you for your comment

I am not upset by any comments given, but very grateful as I don't understand what's happening.hearing your story is sad but helpful.

I welcome any comments.

My Grandson will benifit more the more I understand.

kind Regards

Hi there,

Recombiantsocks wasn't implying that his parents relationship caused his autism. Autism is genetic so what they meant was that one of your grandsons parents may have autistic traits themselves.

Autism is present from birth, but where a parent (or both) may have certain traits, they won't neccessarily recognise symptoms of Autism until there is an event that 'triggers' more serious symptoms which are harder to explain or dismiss.

My parents divorced when I was 10, from then on my own 'symptoms' grew progressively more noticable until I was eventually refered to CAMHS for OCD, as no one in my family or schools growing up had heard of Autism, I'd 'slipped under the radar'. And because of the divorce, many of my autistic symptoms were written off simply as the typical 'trauma' of a child caught between two parents fighting.

As Marjorie195 said, children (especially on the Autsitic Spectrum) often feel like the world is directly influenced by them, so your grandson may think that in some way he is responsible for the divorce, but not old enough to say as much. Plenty of support, reassurances and routine will probably help in the short term. When everything is being thrown into chaos, it always helps most with ASD to have something familiar they can cling to.

Hope things work out for you all!

Thank you for you support.

He is on 1 to 1 at preschool, and in the process of being seen by all the professionals. He is in that sencos group at ps.

Hopefully when he gets assested in around 9 months they will make the correct diognosis!

Regards

Hi Nanny, It could be that your grandson thinks he is in some way responsible for his dad going. Small children tend to think that the whole world revolves around them and that everything that happens connects to them.

I would suggest lots of love and reassurance and hopefully continued contact with both parents. I would not assume that he is autistic at this stage, he is just hurting inside and unable to tell you about it.

Yes, talk to his GP and wait and see.

Best wishes, this is a dificult time for all of you.

thank you again for you comment and time.

yes I am sure the time before the family break up would have been difficult for him.

but I don't understand what you mean by you last comment, do you feel that the unhappy relationship between parents may have caused his austism?

thank you

Nanny ju said:

His parents seperated suddely at Christmas and since then behaviours have rapidly worsened. However he was biting himselfe and pushing others, he has been slow with development in all areas.

He has not mentioned his daddy since he left but has mentioned other nanny etc

The period before the split up is likely to have been stressful/traumatic and the sudden disappearance of his father would also be stressful. His mother is also likely still distressed and he will therefore have gone through a lot of upset. Sadly, it's not too surprising that he is reacting badly.

Autism is often inherited from one or both parents. It is an unfortunate fact that people with autism often have traumatic lives and struggle to maintain relationships and it may be that the split up is an example of that.

Can anyone please tell me where to by chews sticks, I have found them on the Internet for 7.50 which is at lot of money, particulary when they get thrown and lost during melt downs.

thank you

His parents seperated suddely at Christmas and since then behaviours have rapidly worsened. However he was biting himselfe and pushing others, he has been slow with development in all areas.

He has not mentioned his daddy since he left but has mentioned other nanny etc

I would value your oppion

thanks

Biting himself and hitting himself aren't signs of autism as such but are things that some autistic people do. Has something changed for him? Has he been unwell with a fever or anything recently? Has he had any recent injections? Has he eaten something unusual? Could he have picked up and eaten some pills or anything that he shouldn't?

If there is a sudden change in behaviour then you should probably consult his GP - the GP may want to check things out - hearing, eyesight etc etc. I would be