Child speech problems- autism spectrum ?

LutonGuy

Hi Guys,

I have created a post (can't post link ) few weeks ago regarding speech problem for my son and received very good response from this wonderful community.

Here I am again with some more questions and update

I have a meeting with Dr. yesterday and she spent almost 1 hour and 30 minutes with us and provided her feedback.

In summary, she is saying that, in her opinion, most probably he is suffering from autism spectrum but she says she is not 100% sure and would like to check this again after 3 months. She said, it is more than 50% chances that he is suffering from autism spectrum.

a bit of details about my son
- he is two years and 8 months old, has speech problems (has not said a single word yet)
- I (as parent) can't see any other abnormality in his behavior.

I have done a bit of research about autism spectrum behavior and found some checklist (questions) on different website but from these questionnaire he does not seems to be suffering from autism spectrum. (may be i am missing something?) e.g. All the answers to the questions metioned on "Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT)" is yes.

Now my question is for those who has experience with this kind of stuff

- Is it normal for a child to "learn" these things (mentioned in the checklist( can't post link)) with age and still suffering from autism spectrum.
- Should I go for a private diagnostics rather than waiting for next 3 months?
- is there anything i can do at home to diagnose his condition and act accordingly?


My question for those of you with autistic children is, when they were this age 24 - 30 months, what signs did you see that told you that your child was different?

Any other suggestions?

I will be really grateful for all the suggestions

Many thanks guys for reading and replying

Regards

[Deleted User]

Is this the link? http://www.autism.org.uk/working-with/health/screening-and-diagnosis/checklist-for-autism-in-toddlers-chat.aspx

With our kids (not autistic but had a few other issues) we always pushed for earlier treatment and diagnostics. The NHS usually goes for the 'cheapest' option with kids, and that is to wait and hope it goes away. Go private; the younger you catch these things the earlier you can try to sort them out.

Remember, the CHAT checklist is for 18 months olds. It could be 'regular' developmental delay; and that is why they hedge their bets

LutonGuy

Yes. Thanks.

pinkshoes

My cousin hardly spoke at 3, and when she did, it was garbled and incomprehensible. Ditto until she was 6! They tried speech therapy and all sorts.

I can't remember when she improved, but she's now in her 3rd year at Oxford University and totally normal with clear confident speech.

I dont think a private diagnosis will give you a definitive answer. Time will do that.

jackyann

Any advice I give is "take it if it is helpful, leave it if it isn't" and I come from a different perspective from Ringo.
Based on a lifetime's experience of working with children, I am sure that the real expertise in child development and problems of development lies in the NHS. Also, unless behaviour is quite unusual it would be rare either to diagnose at this point or at this age.

"watch & wait" is one of the hardest things to do, but is absolutely what LutonGuy's child needs at this point. Diagnosis at this age is very difficult, and it is as the child develops that parents & professionals can see how far they are diverging from the normal.
Lots of singing, nursery rhymes, talking, playing, good routines & consistency are what your child needs, just like any child.
Observe very carefully - that will help the doctors, but don't try to use diagnostic lists (they are aide-memoires rather than definitive, and need to be applied by trained people)
Many children at this age show autistic traits that they grow out of, others show more autistic traits as they develop.
I think that your doctor sounds sensible, but you now need some support. Contact your Health Visitor or the specialist nurse attached to the child development centre. They will be able to give you a good general view and support as a parent.
I do wish you well, at the moment you don't know what the outcome will be, just concentrate on enjoying your child as he is.

savingmummy

My son has selective mutism/mutism which at first was confused as ASD.
Its common for the 2 to be confused apparently.


My son was selectively mute from 18months and has only just been diagnosed correctly aged 6!


I would await the assessment and if you feel unhappy then ask for a second opinion, or go private.

Indie_Kid

Has your son has his hearing tested?

LutonGuy

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Has your son has his hearing tested?

Yes and hearing is fine.

Maysie

My son had speech problems he could not pronounce words and got very frustrated. There were other behaviour things that i noticed at a young age and i was fobbed off for years. I got told so may times he is just late to mature. Finally got the diagnosis i thought it was last year and he is 11 now. If you can afford private go for it.

BucksLady

LutonGuy, may I ask, did your son have feeding problems as a baby and did he babble?

LutonGuy

BucksLady wrote: »

LutonGuy, may I ask, did your son have feeding problems as a baby and did he babble?

Nope no feeding problem and yes he babble. I have a 8 month daughater and he tries to copy every "word/sound" that she says