Autism?

[ljdksa]

Hi.All,
My 7-yr-old son has Sensory Processing Disorder and Speech and language delays/disorder. He has waited 5 yrs on the list for an Occupational Health assessment. My sister's two boys both have low-level autism and she sent me a diagnostic test. It says a score of 15+ implies some level of autism. My son scored 29 out of 31.

I looked on the website stated, and everything has completely fallen into place! It really could have been written about him. (He hates cuddles, cannot have a two-way conversation, walks up to his room and sits in silence when upset, etc etc etc.)

I realise that there are different levels and experiences of it, but I would really like to hear from anyone who has any general advice or experience that they are happy to share?

Many thanks x

[cazzz1975]

5 years seem an inordinately long time to be on the waiting list, what exactly is low level autism?

I scored 22 on that test :)

[cazzz1975]

my advice would be to insist on a referral, at age 7 he has already lost a lot of potential help in school. be aware that despite the symptoms being a close run thing some people can be diagnosed with PDD-NOS which is very close to autism.

http://www.autismspea...avigating/pdd_nos.php

[ljdksa]

Thanks for answering Cazzz. By low-level, I think they mean on the lower end of the spectrum, so there are signs, but they are not severe.
5 years is a very long wait! Apparently due to a lack of Occupational Therapists and a very long waiting list. As soon as my son got to the top of the list, they changed the process and sent out forms that have to be filled in over 2 school terms, so that delayed things even further.
Luckily, every teacher he has had, has noticed his difficulties and he has had extra help from LSAs. Am currently meeting his teacher once a week to discuss support and concerns.
It is a ridiculous amount of time to wait, I completely agree.

[ljdksa]

Thanks for that link Cazzz, maybe the PDD-NOS is what they meant about my nephews? My son has far more obvious symptoms, but I didn't realise quite how much until I looked at the autism website. I am going to ring the Occupational Therapist first thing on Monday and see what she says.

[looby1914]

Blimey that is a long time to wait to see the OT's.. My son was diagnosed privately a year ago and then by the NHS in april last year of having Autism..

The OT has also said he has Hypermobility and Hypnotonia (low muscle tone) in legs. It took a very long battle to get him diagnosed but I wasn't giving in. You have to keep nagging unfortunately to get anywere hun.

[cazzz1975]

agree with looby, dont be fobbed off, unfortunately knowledge of autism at gp level is surprisingly poor, to get the help you have to become a real nag, eventually they will be glad to refer you just to get rid of you !

[ljdksa]

Ok. Thanks for the advice, both of you! I will nag them, if that's what it takes! They are always very apologetic, but that makes no difference to my son and he is struggling in daily life. I just want to try to make things a bit easier for him.

Many thanks xxx

[NSFAGlobal]

You can try homeopathy for autism treatment. It works better then other medicine. But it has a lengthy process. NSFA Global is a homeopathic treatment center that specializes in the treatment of Autism & ASD. We use alternative treatments for children with autism under 5 years.