autism??

**flyawayfree** · 17-04-2008 21:09

hi all. I just wanted some advice.

Ds is 21 months old and has been diagnosed with epilepsy and global development delay. I have recently been reading up on autism as i have always thought he may be diagnosed with it. I believe he has some of the warning signs and am wondering, do you think i should bring this up with the doctor. Other people have told me he is too young so i should just leave it, so what do you think?

**LivinOnAPrayer** · 17-04-2008 21:32

Dont read stuff!!!! Or google!!! Bad...lol.

But if your worried, ask gp. Although i dont think they can diagnose autism at such a young age. Apparently everyone has autistic tendencies, and its so broad, that its got to be alot going on to get a dx. My DD is 20 months and delayed and sick, and sometimes i'd swear she's autistic in the makings.

your DS is just coming into himself and things will settle down.

Its hard when you as mum can tell something isnt quite right.

**veve** · 17-04-2008 22:08

if its annoying you .. if its something that is constantly thought about .. definitely bring it up with the doctor ... what harm can it do??

children can be identified with strong asd traits as young as 18 months (to my knowledge)

good luck

xx
Jen

**stellaj** · 18-04-2008 09:57

They won't formally diagnose autism until he is 4 years old. If he is already receiving help for his delays it wouldn't make any difference to his treatment regime anyway I don't think. It isn't like there is a medication that fixes autism so knowing if one has it or not doesn't matter all that much.

**Nowhere** · 18-04-2008 18:03

if you are woriediwould ask the pead about it, I know there is no cure or medication for autsim but there are difernttypes of therapy that hep such as ABA therapy etc and also things to help you handle situations at home and out etc such as com pics and difernt techneiques to defuse tantrums

**MyFourCubs** · 18-04-2008 18:03

As most of you know my Alex was recently diagnosed with autism at just over 2 years. When we went to Karitane last year the paed thought he was "on the spectrum," and he was 21 months. Yes, drs are VERY reluctant to diagnose under 3, only when it is very blatantly obvious and my paed only agreed to commit to a dx because no services are open to you without a dx, but most autistic children are certainly diagnosed around 3, so I'm told. The irony is, in my opinion, when you start to learn about autism basically everybody says that autistic features are present from birth. So why the heck do you have to wait so long for a dx?!

Basically they worry that they will be sued if they are wrong but that also means a lot of kids won't get dx til after 3 when the whole idea is "EARLY intervention!

I say, mum usually knows best and I KNEW that there was something different about Alex from the word go, but everyone told me I was mad. If you are worried, get it looked into. Hopefully all is fine but you will blame yourself if there is autism and you didn't act on your instinct.

There is lots of threads in this section on autism for further info.

Good luck!

Sara

**botg** · 21-04-2008 10:08

Hi, I am the mum of 5. DS, now nearly 6yo, was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome 2 years ago. He started at a daycare centre aged 2 and within 4 hrs they were suggesting that he was Autistic. Drs thought it was because he was the youngest of 5 children (28,24,22,19 + 5) and his Nonna only speaks Italian. They thought that he was just a little mixed up!! Now with the diagnosis, his school receives extra funding to have support staff to help him.
Autistic children are a true delight. Never be afraid that they are different, it is quite funny when you start to see the different autistic traits that the other members of the family have. It can be frustrating, but there is always someone worse off than yourself. I also have, DS1 who is ADD, DS2 who is ADHA, DD1 no comment, DD2 who is profoundly deaf and vision impaired, then DS3 Mr. Asperger.
I love them all....