Signs Of Autism In Toddlers

[Chasingcars]

My little girl is nearly 3, she has been at preschool nearly a year doing 2 mornings a week. We have the usual clingy phase now and then but sometimes she doesn't seem keen to play with others often sitting and drawing in a quieter area with her key worker rather than join in with toys. I wonder if she is just shy and whether she will get more confident or whether this could be a sign of something more serious?
Only reason I ask is her speech and language has been delayed a little and whilst she an amazing understandings she doesnt say that much still.
Although my little girl can be confident, often over confident other times she seems shy around quite familiar faces...ie children in our not group she has known since she was a baby.
I would be interested other anyone's experience of having a child with autism and any early signs they spotted or am I being paranoid?
She has some other funny little ways... Little ocd at times, like me, is quite specific about routine and gets upsets over little things but i dont know what's normal for a toddler and what isn't.
Both myself and my dad are quite shy so wonder if she is just going to be quieter like me...but something is just niggling that this could be something more. I am going to sit in preschool tomorrow to observe my little girl and she how's she plays, whether the same or different to home and if different having me there so the teachers can observe her too.
Any thoughts welcome, thank you.

[ummmm]

My son has mild autism which was much worse when he was little than it is now. He was a loner, hated noise, crowded spaces, eye contact, flapped his hands, span in circles and he was very destructive. He did eat and sleep well though.

[VHG]

It is best to try to get your child assessed so if more support is needed you can begin the process. Go to your GP and then see what they suggest (though many may dismiss as "just as phase" but keep pushing).

My son has Dyspraxia and it took ages to get a diagnosis and then get him to have speech and language support and other support.

The earlier you start the more likely hood you will get in the "system".

We got passed from doctor to doctor and hospital to hospital and you have to learn a whole new "language" so it is best to start early.

One lady described it as booking a holiday to Italy but then landing in Holland. You are not ready for it, you don't know the language and so on.

Nothing WRONG with Holland but it is just not what you expected.

It MAY just be a phase but it is best to get it checked out.

Autism can cover a wide range of symptoms (it is called the "Autistic Spectrum") so not every child has the same symptoms.

More here

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Autistic-spectrum-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[Mamyalynne]

Totally agree with the above posts, every child is different.

We have a 'flapper/helicopter impersonator' - he grew out of that.
Also a lad who would scream in pain at certain sounds that seemed perfectly normal to us.


She may simply be reserved and shy like you and Dad but get some advice then you know how to move on should you need to.

[jourdain2]

Thanks for the link VHG. I'm beginning to wonder about my 6 yr-old grandson and it was very helpful. Seems he could be on the borderline. (Either that or he is just a very naughty boy, time will tell.)

[fairycakes69]

The staff at the child's nursery should be trained in looking for the signs, have a word with them and see what they say. My daughter is an assistant manager at a nursery and if she has concerns she talks to the parents to decide the next step.

[ummmm]

I agree, fairycakes, it was my sons nursery that came to me with their concerns. I just thought my son was a little bit 'odd'

[Chasingcars]

Thanks all,the preschool have been very good, I raise some concerns and they spent a long time talking with me today. They said they had noticed she was quieter but that's not unusual at this age. They suggested I come and spend a session with her to see if she is different then, and interacts more or whether she is the same. I am going in tomorrow so see what happens..