Wow! For me this is close to home as I have a six year old who is autistic (Aspergers). At around the age of two for my child, as a mother/parent...I just ‘knew’ something was there that I needed to look into. You just know your own child. Copious amounts of Googling,library books and research later, I went to our GP, which led to a whole adventure of various specialists, a lot of waiting, more waiting and having to learn a whole new lists of terms/words. From my initial ‘feeling’ to diagnosis took years. We were told by the reception teacher and Senco that getting referred early is the best thing we did as most children are not referred until they start school.
As for the misconception people like Kerry have that a child who is autistic is automatically less able, naughty or it is all challenging behaviour...no,not at all. It is a spectrum. At just turned three my daughter was having full conversations, reading, writing short words and brilliant with numbers. She loved sitting quietly and playing/being artistic/lining up her toys. Of course we have mighty meltdowns and have to keep to a routine and we are on this journey of learning what works for us, each day is different but each day our daughter amazes us.
Oh if you had even a tiny feeling that your child was autistic, then throwaway comments on another’s post is not where you should be focusing your energy. Educate yourself and do what you can to get the best help if your child needs it.
