ASD Toddlers

[strawberrysunshine_x]

Hiya, just wondering how you are getting on? Did you manage to get the Gp to make a referral? X

Hi sorry I have just seen this …
His EHCP has come through today!! And we got into our first choice school. I’m so relieved

 

[Livelife01]

Ah yes, our nursery has been really helpful too. I would definately go to the GP and ask for a referral, or the HV. Glad he has improved, mine has too since the HV check, but he’s still far from what he should on the questionnaire so I will still push for a referral seeing as the waiting lists are so long x

 

[LittleMy]

I honestly despair. Many parents actually struggle to be taken seriously with concerns like these when their children are under 3, because so much depends on their ability to socialise and children don’t typically start playing until they’re around 3/4 years old, so they’re talking a lot of shite. Shocking that they said that to you. Lockdown could definitely be a factor in your son’s case. x

I quote - “3 is way too old to be blaming lockdown on this. You’ve missed a big window of intervention that should have been dealt with already”

I don’t really count just turning 3 after having literally zero child interaction as being too old
Thank you for your kinder comments! X

 

[Livelife01]

Does anyone have any experience with hyperlexia? It lies on the autism spectrum but you can be hyperlexic without being autistic.
It's the ability to read without being taught.
My 3 year old can read. And seems to have followed an hyperlexic route to learning. We've done all the letters, numbers up to 1,000, the solar system, shapes and are now firmly entrenched in flags.
He's definitely hyperlexic I would say, and was showing some autistic "traits" that have fallen away as he's got older, but he doesn't really interact with other children, still plays alongside etc.
Just wondering if there are any other hyperlexic mamas out there

You’ve described a classic hyperlexic profile there. I don’t know why so many hyperlexic kids go for space and flags as special interests but they do!

My son is hyperlexic too. He started reading at 3 but I’ll never know when he really started reading because he was speech delayed. It was only when he could talk that I understood he could read.

I also clung to the possibility of “hyperlexia type 3” (early reading child with some autistic traits but not autistic) but I soon realised that my son was undeniably autistic and I had been - understandably - clinging to the hope that he wasn’t. I don’t mind admitting that, I think all parents have to go on a journey of acceptance.

That’s a long winded way of saying don’t write off autism just because you don’t see any huge glaring traits. My son can give eye contact when he forced himself to, and never lined up toys, didn’t flap his arms etc. He’s still autistic.

This is my son to a T. I had no idea he was or could be autistic until his nursery flagged up he was very ‘distracted’ I was moaning to my sister saying how rude of them and she said she thought he was maybe autistic and to get him checked. I was so annoyed that day, but looking back it was the best thing she ever did.
My son didn’t respond to his name, I didn’t even know that was one of the first signs. Think it was because he was my 1st. Anyway, he was referred last month and now on the pathway. He still can’t communicate, but he loves singing.
How old was your son when he started speaking? My boy is so incredibly clever but I long for the day he calls me mummy and means it!
X

 

[Emsie]

Can I please ask how is/was your toddlers understanding at 2.5 years old? My daughter is understanding so much now I.e where is the ball or balloon or toy etc, stand up, sit down, pick it up, put it back, go give nanny/grandad a cuddle etc. This has all come on mainly in the past 3 months, she seems to be surprising me all the time with things I’m asking her to do, I’m so so proud. I guess I just hope more words will follow soon as I feel like that is maybe the next step although I know everyone is different.

I'm absolutely no expert but the fact that she is understanding you is a really good sign. It was one of the things my HV asked me when I was concerned about speech.

 

[strawberrysunshine_x]

Not really sure what I’m posting for just feel like it would be nice to get my sons story out. He is 4 in April. So he had his 1st and 2nd birthday In lockdown. He used to go to my mums before lockdown happened she looked after him. After that he forgot who she was which was awful. He’s fine with her but he won’t let my dad near him still he runs off from him
He has speech delay and nursery have said additional needs. But haven’t said what!! He’s behind on everything. They have him down as development wise 22 months for all aspects. He speaks words at home but is really shy. And a lot of it doesn’t make sense. He points to what he wants and pulls my hand if he wants something in another room.
It’s crossed my mind he is autistic My brother has an autistic son & he said he thinks mine possibly could be too. I asked nursery if they think so and all she said was she can’t diagnose. We’ve applied for EHCP but it’s a long process. He’s going to primary school next September and I am dreading it. Him not settling in!! And Finding it hard to adjust. Have I picked the right school!! Will he manage. Will he fit in. He doesn’t like adults , he sometimes doesn’t even want daddy near him. Especially in the morning when he first wakes up he pushes him away and gets upset if im not there. He doesn’t like me leaving him and my mums or mother in laws. He won’t sleep on his own and also is just soooo clingy and loving. We’ve got health visitor coming after Christmas. Was meant to be today but we’re not well Everyday is a worry.

 

[Livelife01]

Hi everyone. Hope you all had a lovely Xmas and new year. I posted earlier in December about my son and how he may be autistic.
This came around after his new nursery told me he was very distracted and I soon realised that he never follows any instruction or responds to his name. Que me feeling like an awful mother for not realising and also having a newborn. I am in tears most days thinking about my elder sons future and what it will be like. (I’m sure newborn hormones do not add well to the mix)
The HV came to weigh little one and I expressed my concerns, so his 2 year check is on the 12th of this month. I am absolutely bricking it but I know what the outcome will be. I spoke to my sons nursery and they didn’t agree or disagree with my concerns about autistic traits but said they will catch up with me soon about a salt referral.
Not sure what I am asking here but I just need to know if it gets easier? The fact he doesn’t respond to his name absolutely kills me and I wonder if he’ll ever communicate. He does say the odd word but not always in context.
From next week he is going to nursery two full days a week; so I am hoping this may improve things a little more. Sorry for long post xx

 

[ker87]

Your son sounds exactly the same as mine (2.5years). Had our first Ped appointment last week and he has been referred for autism assessment. My main aim is that If he needs help it’s in place (hopefully) in time for school. It’s definitely your choice on which route you go down. Xx

 

[maytoseptember]

You’d need a referral to a paediatrician. Usually a GP or HV can get the ball rolling @strawberrysunshine_x

 

[Livelife01]

My HV has been shocking. I know they are busy but she just palmed me off saying he needs more time. When I told her about the docs referral she said they can’t actually do it. So who does then?? Apps were Always over the phone. And she said they are taking a step back cos nursery have got things in place already

I think (I’m not 100%) but if you got portage, they can do the referral. But because you aren’t entitled I would def call your GP. They can tell you what’s right xx

 

[strawberrysunshine_x]

Well today for example i went to the zoo with friend and her daughter who’s 3 months older than my 2 year 4 month old.
Her daughter engaged the whole time looking and pointing saying which animals she loved and wanted to see next, said when she wanted a drink or a snack and generally walked round nicely keeping close to her mum.
My daughter is pretty much the opposite currently, but I know that she will grow and learn in her own time it’s just hard seeing other children do things so easily that your child struggles to.

Do you go to any send sessions ? There are a few places near us that do them. You could meet another mum there as I saw you said you don’t have any friends with ASD children.

 

[Livelife01]

I find it fascinating to hear everyone’s journeys with this, especially given how often it turns out to be genetic and within the family. My husband went from pure denial and anger to receiving his own diagnosis of ADHD after realising traits our daughter had were also traits he had, and then he started to see things in other family members and we now have both grandparents and a great uncle on wait lists for assessments too!

I know, I actually had speech delay. I didn’t speak til I was 4. I see a lot of traits in myself now my sons on the pathway.
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@Livelife01 My boy had a language explosion around the age of 3.5-4




That’s very relatable! I remember thinking that hyperlexia was his main autistic trait too.

And he still can’t really be arsed to read and he’s just turned 8

Aw thank you, hopefully my boy will do the same too!

 

[Emsie]

He is only ever into gaming. Mario usually, but he goes through intense obsessions with other games, then switched to something else in the blink of an eye.

He was into space for quite a while, so much so he complained that all of his space books had all the same facts… for obvious reasons He’s never been into flags or logos. Some get obsessed with maps or foreign alphabets… not him though.

I hope we skip foreign alphabets too. Cba with that. Thankfully, the alphabet doesn't hold his interest anymore, other than to practice writing. Maps is good. I draw him random maps and he just loves them. Funny little things. It's fascinating though, like how do you know all this stuff you little brainbox

 

[MrsJones83]

My daughter (non SEN) was 14 months old when my son was born, she mostly ignored him until he was about six months old and then she started to take more interest. They’re now 5.5 and 4, they’re very close!

I’ve always felt my son was different, but nursery have now requested an “early support referral” as they feel he needs some help with his social and emotional development and maturity. I’ve never heard of this referral! Anyone know who or what they could be asking for? Or what I should expect? I’ve got so many questions when nursery reopens next week.

 

[Livelife01]

So I’m just wondering when a child gets diagnosed with Autism? Is there a certain age ?
my bf has just told me that the nursery teacher was asking if our little boy gets upset in stationary traffic and he thinks she is meaning he’s autistic I’m not sure where he’s gotten that thought from her question. ;
but I have thought he could be as he doesn’t like new places / envrionments.
Doesn’t like things out of his routine ( for example they have stay and play sessions once a term at pre school and we haven’t had one for ages so we went today and he was very upset crying on the floor just wanting to go home - we did end up leaving ) .
Doesn’t like adults being near him / touching him / talking to him
Speech delay
Nursery have said when he gets upset he’ll lie on the floor with (toy) bricks on his chest
We’re on going with the EHCP. It’s all been sent off just awaiting their decision. I’m just wondering is there anyone I contact or do I just wait ? When I asked nursery if they thought he was she just said we can’t diagnose.
sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance.

Hi lovely. We are just going through this with my son. How old is yours? Mine is 2.5yrs. We flagged some issues at the 2 year health visitor check (last month) and they said as he attended nursery they should do a referral for speech and language if needed. (It’s policy apparently) She wanted us to wait a couple of months for the ASD referral just incase he caught up. So I spoke to nursery about my concerns and they did a referral to something called SSS (portage) and now we’re just waiting to hear.
The health visitor can do a referral if under 5 and also the GP if you’re concerned xx

 

[Livelife01]

We finally had our initial meeting with speech and language it’s now just a wait to see if it gets going I’ve tried a lot of the tactics she informed me about so I’m hoping he gets somewhere at least before he starts reception next year x
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My son got giving his EHCP just before they finished for summer, he will be doing his second year at school nursery (he’s in mainstream) next week and they’ve finally been able to get him a 1-1 hoping it helps him with his development x

Ooh brilliant that’s great news. We have a meeting with portage soon to try and get the ball rolling. My boy is summer born so worried about him as it is x

 

[Livelife01]

Hiii thanks for your reply. Mine is 3. 4 in April. I’ve had a nightmare with salt. Nursery tried to get him into portage but they sent me a letter saying the waitlist was that long by the time he’d be accepted he’d be 3. I mentioned to HV on the phone and she said it sounds like just shyness and I will see him mature more it gets to September him going to school!? Honestly what
weve had three sessions at speech therapy. I never got a report back and then they discharged us! I rang up to complain. They said it was out oftheir hands and we had to go back on the wait list

Oh my word. That is ridiculous!! How delayed is he with speech? Does he have any understanding? I didn’t actually notice anything could be an issue with my son, until the nursery mentioned he was distracted, I didn’t think much of it then one of my family members said she thought he may be autistic. I was totally oblivious as he was my first and I was heavily pregnant with my 2nd. So all this has just come about since November.
That’s really strange about portage, I got a letter yesterday to say we were eligible for help , and my boy is 3 in August. You should have definitely got some sort of support?
Is nursery helping you with the EHCP? We haven’t gone down that route yet, but probably will in time xx

 

[givemethegossx]

anyone had an positive stories for a non verbal toddler? my little girl is 2 in a few weeks and for a child who can't talk she doesn't shut up but it's like gibberish no real meaning at all, she can say mama and dada but I'm not sure if she knows what is means! makes me sad seeing toddlers her age talking when she can't

 

[watermelon sugar]

Not really sure what I’m posting for just feel like it would be nice to get my sons story out. He is 4 in April. So he had his 1st and 2nd birthday In lockdown. He used to go to my mums before lockdown happened she looked after him. After that he forgot who she was which was awful. He’s fine with her but he won’t let my dad near him still he runs off from him
He has speech delay and nursery have said additional needs. But haven’t said what!! He’s behind on everything. They have him down as development wise 22 months for all aspects. He speaks words at home but is really shy. And a lot of it doesn’t make sense. He points to what he wants and pulls my hand if he wants something in another room.
It’s crossed my mind he is autistic My brother has an autistic son & he said he thinks mine possibly could be too. I asked nursery if they think so and all she said was she can’t diagnose. We’ve applied for EHCP but it’s a long process. He’s going to primary school next September and I am dreading it. Him not settling in!! And Finding it hard to adjust. Have I picked the right school!! Will he manage. Will he fit in. He doesn’t like adults , he sometimes doesn’t even want daddy near him. Especially in the morning when he first wakes up he pushes him away and gets upset if im not there. He doesn’t like me leaving him and my mums or mother in laws. He won’t sleep on his own and also is just soooo clingy and loving. We’ve got health visitor coming after Christmas. Was meant to be today but we’re not well Everyday is a worry.

Bless him! i don’t have much advice because my son isn’t as old as yours, but there’s worries with mine. His nursery teachers have pulled me and said he’s too ‘sensitive’ and not like the other kids. I asked her why not and all she said was ‘their boistirious and he’s not’ but then she was very funny afterwards and said ‘i’m not saying anything though not like that not like that not like that’ which made me worry more? I don’t know. i feel like with kids you can’t help but worry, and there’s the constant feeling of no one is listening. My son is very clingy and very loving and like the teacher said very sensitive. he cries when we go into nursery and there’s already other kids there but if he’s first he doesn’t mind, little things like that. i think with your little one with him starting primary they would probably help and reach out to you more if they had any concerns, i have friends whose kids are autistic/have adhd at primary age and the teachers there went about it better than their nursery teachers. i know the feeling of being worried, you’re only human and you’re doing your best you’re a fab mum x

sorry i’ve not much advice i didn’t want to read and run and wanted you to know you’re not alone!

 

[Happy Lady]

Oh @peachhes I feel for you, but you have been given some wonderful advice on this thread. My son (now 36) had a little friend when he was younger, who just wouldn't talk. I looked after him now and then and calmly asked him "What's this". At first he looked at me as if I was bonkers, but then out if the blue he said "car". So that was a word he could then say. Later I asked him again "What's this", and he just said "car" again. I praised him loads, and when his mum returned, I did it again and he replied. It made his mum cry - but it was the start of a long journey. He was assessed and has autism, and the family accepted it, helped him and were supported.

Slow steps, patience, loving rewards will see great benefits.

I wish you, your little one, and your family well. Help is out there, you're not on your own, and like others have said, now he's mixing with others he'll come on in leaps and bounds.