autisim

[ronnyjon]

my son is the 2nd of 5 boys, born at 33 weks i was told his development would be somewhat delayed. Yet his physical development was early (walking at 10 months) He is now six its wet durring day nad night, has speach delay and is rather clumsly (almost impossible for him to stand on one leg without falling over) he also avoids eye contact esspecialy when anrgy and arguing.( he keeps his face at eye level but looks up into his eyebrows) could he be autistic? or has anyone else have any other suggestions please help

[alijangra]

Hi ronny what do your gp or health visitor suggest it might be? Has he been referred to a specialist? Does he go to a mainstream class in school and what is the feedback from teachers?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get a better perspective. x Alison

[ronnyjon]

the health visitors have been helpful he has been reffered to a speach therisp he used to see a physio 4 a while but she put his clumsyness down to his bone being to flexable and was relying on his mussels to stop him running into things. He sees a incontinense nurse who is considerin g medication 4 the wetting. he was reffered to a child phsiciatrist how said his extreme violent outburst wrer temper tantrums just 4 my and my mums benifit! ( though my mum being 1 of 8 and a mother of 3 would completly dissagree) his school say he is a quite child no rpoblems with behaviour can play a bot rough sometimes but enjoys his own comp[any. He does have trouble with his reading which is slowly improving.

[alijangra]

Ronny I do apologise, I had typed out a long and detailed reply which vanished when I tried to post!! Im tired so will just summarise-

You sound like a lovely, caring parent just keep working with the professionals. Its tempting to want to label his behaviour but its not always possible to do that. His physical probs and speech should improve with therapy, also Im sure he would benefit from a behavioral therapist as opposed to a psychiatrist. Try and push for a referral but I believe there are long waiting lists. The main thing is to love him and enjoy him but I am sure you are well aware of that. It must be hard as Im sure everyone invisages that their children are going to develop normally when they plan a family. Just keep at it sounds like you are doing a great job, these things are a slow process. All the best, Alison xxx

[ronnyjon]

than you alison

[Lonnie]

Hi ronnyjon, My daughter is Autistic, she's now 21 years old, first, you sound like a really caring parent, otherwise you wouldn't have asked what you have.

From what you've written, a diagnosis hasn't yet been given, so I don't want to worry you unneccessarily, one of the symptoms though, is avoiding eye contact, and i'd hazard a guess that thats the reason you thought of Autism, but I doubt it, although obviously it can't be ruled out.

You have to keep on at the medical people for tests, our daughter was dismissed as 'slow, with a low IQ', she doesn't talk, or understand the spoken word', we only got the diagnosis because we kept fighting.

Keep impressing on the consultants, that nobody knows your child, better than you do, and make sure they listen to you.

I don't want to go to much into the Autism bit now, but I, and i'm sure others on this site will always be there to give you moral support, and whatever advice we can.

The most important thing now, is a diagnosis, this is for your own peace of mind, and having it, you can find the right treatment/therapy, don't let up until you get one.

I wish you, and all your family well, I'm sorry I couldnt be more help.

[Kay]

Hi ronnyjon, My son now age 21 has Asperger Syndrome. He was assessed at the age of 5 as he was'nt conforming like the other pupils in class. Low Fuctioning Asperger's symptoms are...no eye contact,like's own company,hates change of any kind, cant tolerate loud noise/music,crowds. Excels educationly,photographic memory. Physicaly.are sometimes clumsy and needs specialist schooling. My son spent all his school life at a special school where he was taught on a one to one basis and went onto fulltime college. Why not tell your gp you want your son to be assessed ronnyjon,he wont even know he's being assessed so dont worry:--)