rag31

Ah, I hadn't thought of them as being sensory issues. I always thought it's just Sam and his quirks Sam doesn't forget his childminder, but I think it is the change of routine. By the second week after a break he is fine with her again. Are ASDs genetic? I can't remember if i've read anything about that... Thanks, Becky

Thanks Nicky. That's a great tip - I think it would probably help Sam. Hasn't occurred to me before. His comprehension is not brilliant but the pictures could really work I think! Sam has also had huge obsessions with various modes of transport. He has been through minis, beetles, London black cabs, London buses (we don't live anywhere near London! LOL), Thomas (of course), currently it's British airways airoplanes and Diesel 10 from Thomas. (he has one in each hand as I speak <'> ). Thanks, Becky

Hello again. Thank you for your helpful posts. He has a SALT appointment on Monday actually, with a new SALT person (the last one was absolutely rubbish, but it was at home so that helped) so I am intending to ask her. He also has an appointment coming up at GOSH at the beginning of Nov so if the SALT isn't any use then I can ask them about it. They are brilliant at referring very quickly. I wasn't going to try to self diagnose (honest!), but I did want to hear stories from 'those in the know' before going any further down this route. Sam will be home educated so I don't have to worry about getting a diagnosis from a school point of view, thankfully. Can anyone tell me what sort of help or services they got after a diagnosis? I'm thinking that the main thing is that maybe if he has a diagnosis then people will stop judging, which I am feeling increasingly. I think people think I'm crazy as I don't go out in the evening often any more (only I can put him in bed), he is still in nappies, often has screaming fits if he is unhappy and wants to go home etc. I get the feeling that people think *I* have made him like this :-( Thanks again, Becky

Hi there I just introduced myself on the other bit of the forum and am new to the boards. I have 4 children aged from 14 down to 3 and this post is about my 3 year old. As a bit of back story - my husband was assessed for AS about 2 years ago and although had 2 of the traits/strands strongly he only has the third one mildly so no positive diagnosis was given, though we did get tips on helping our relationship so that was useful! My husband, dd1 (9), MIL and SIL also all have tourettes. Out of the blue last week someone asked me if DS2 (aged 3y 8m) has AS. This set me to thinking about it again, and reading some of the info but I'm finding it difficult to come across age appropriate info for him so thought parents and people with AS on here might know more from personal histories iykwim. DS2 also has something called EDS which we go down to Great Ormond Street to have physio for. (not that he will do it!) There does seem to be some correlation with EDS and ASD as there seems higher than usual percentages of people with EDS have an ASD. So, onto his possible 'symptoms'. He couldn't eat or swallow anything with any texture or lumps until around 20months of age - he would gag on anything other than totally puree'd food. Since then around 75% of the food he eats is potato in some form. I have tried everything but this is all he wants to eat, with the occasional pasta, veg and fruit. He has had speech and language therapy since he turned 2 because he has very delayed language. I would say he is at the level of a child about 2 years younger than him. He is also still in nappies at 3y 8m. I don't think it is because he 'can't' but because he 'won't'. He screams at the mention of coming out of nappies or using a toilet/potty. At home he seems to me to be exactly like his brother and sisters, he is normally affectionate, funny and enjoys playing with them and chatting. He makes eye contact and talks and just gets on with things. When we go out it's a different story. He finds group situations stressful (he copes by pulling his eyelids! And has been a nail biter since finding his nails) and cries and screams to go home. He is extremely laid back and if another child takes a toy off him he just goes to get something else, or pulls his eyelids! He has never argued or fought with another child. Sam has had the same childminder since 6 months of age. He is fine with her as long as we don't or she doesn't go on holiday - if he hasn't seen her for 2 weeks he freaks out about being with her and it takes ages to settle him again. Talking of holidays - we tried a caravan and he was up from 3am screaming hysterically about the noises outside. He seems petrified of going to sleep anywhere other than at our house and we have had many nightmare situations relating to this! He seems to have short bursts of obsession, but difficult to tell if not usual as all toddlers have this I know. However he is coming up for 4 and will still go through weeks of watching the same film over and over again then 'going off' it. He has watched Space Buddies 31 times in the last 3 weeks (my dd is counting). Should he have grown out of this by now? I think my others had. I don't want to subject him to any unnecessary assessments or doctors appointments as he finds the ones he has already very stressful and screams continuously til we leave. As he will be home educated I'm also wondering about the necessity of a diagnosis and would appreciate hearing others' views. What I am wondering is if this sounds like a little boy with aspergers? Would anyone with AS or with a child with AS care to share with me their early history as I am finding it difficult to get info about pre-school aged children. Many thanks, Becky

Hello, I am new and have just joined. I have 4 children aged 14 down to 3. My husband and one daughter have tourettes and husband has been assessed for AS. I am not sure if my 3yo has an ASD and am currently considering the pros and cons of seeking a diagnosis and trying to get more info on the symptoms of AS or HFA in a 3yo. I guess I will post that to another area but wanted to say howdy. Becky