Suspected Autism.....December appointment?

Question

Took son to Dr's in May as he doesn't speak only copies words, he suspected Autism, after a hearing test (fine) we were told by paediatrician to wait for a development assessment, have been chasing this up with help of HV and been told this morning it will be mid December before we see anyone, I feel we are missing out on vital time and help for my son who will be 3 in November, what can we do, can we go private (parents have offered to help with cost) and if we do that are we shutting other doors, any help please am at a loss. We are in North Yorks, UK.

Answer 1

Maybe you could look up support groups in your area for Autism. Ask them what they did to help their children in the very beginning. That way, you're not wasting time, but won't have to pay for a private doctor.

I have no idea about the costs.. but if seeking out help from others in your situation doesn't help, then maybe you should look into going private, at least until December.  

Answer 2

Autism cannot be cured BUT i can be improved with the right help and right school, But Ange YOU can help him in the meantime, Buy some wooden puzzles you know the sort i mean i will add the links below to show you somethings we brought when Thomas was first diagnosed, you are lucky in a way your son does repeat words and does try where as Thomas wasn't saying anything so when they get him to assessment they will have something to go on, Thomas was over three when he went for his assesment to your son will be the same as Thomas when he does go, a few points to remember

Keep talking to your son even if you think he isn't listening, sing nursery rhymes and play games with flash cards in the bottom i will add some links to things we have brought and still do x

Answer 3

He very well could be autistic; if he's almost three and still doesn't do more than copy words there is some sort of developmental problem there. I would wait until you hear from the doc and hope for the best.

Answer 4

from what i hear autism cant really be treated so it doesnt matter. and if you think the nhs appointments will actually help anyway i think you are deluded. research it yourself on the net and treat him at home yourself. or go private.  

Answer 5

i need to get a life thinking i can answer this, just know how he feels i guess, had attention problems as a child, it seems the more stimulus and development you teach him the more inverted he'll get, i'd recommend some form of expression you all can share in for venting the confusion!  Doctors can only help with these kind of problems and someone personally involved is more of a hero, always!

ye don't question with him enough i guess, everythings gonna be alright approach what ever happens, how can i be well meaning though, i hope it works out for ye, theres never enough answers if ye don't define the problem ya!

like ye don't see a problem so who's to say there is one?

spend more time with him showing him what ye do, he'll learn to question how he can help and doing things himself.

make cakes, drive cars you know be yourselves with him, never let him know there is a problem, because theres not

Answer 6

I don't know how it works in the UK but here in the USA our local school district have to help and even offer testing for free. If you have others willing to pay then I would call around, I am sure you can find an appointment sooner than that. Good luck and don't worry until you find out. Good luck and I will pray for you and your son.

Answer 7

I don't know what private routes there are. I support a girl one-one at pre-school she is funded for special needs and only diagnosed mild Autistic 3 mnths before her 4th birthday. She has made huge developmental improvement since she started at age 3. If your son gets diagnosed he could get funding and still do well with one-one support December would not be too late.

Answer 8

You may want to read this find some other info.  My sister took her son off of wheat and dairy and he is much better.  They have also put him back on wheat and dairy.

Answer 9

i don't know anything about which psychologists or doctors to go to but i have a friend (about 17) who has autism and she speaks like an average person....she told me that when she was a child her mum always would talk to her and use sign language at the same time it might be best to start off with just the 1 word and step it up when he's ready  

Answer 10

why are you worrying some kids are just slow speakers. it will come eventually. my nephew started to speak when he was 3. he is not autistic. does he have any other signs? like banging his head to walls or just staring blank? not listening to you or are you feeling like you just can not get to him ? sometimes eating only one type of food?

he is nearly 3 if he was autistic you would have noticed it already. i say dont worry. and i am sure he is not autistic.

Answer 11

That is WAAAAY too long to wait. Try to push for an earlier appt.

Answer 12

My mother is an EA  / Student Support Person , so she works with a lot of Autistic people , one that she has worked with for several years now... anyways . The mother was smoking before she had the son not to mention drinking an awful lot , do you think that your wife was drinking or smoking in that period of time ? My mother says that she has studied a while and there is no significant cure to autism unless of course you in the UK has one . I live in Canada so your Country may have a cure. you should not wait that long. I mean until December no way! you should try to get an earlier appt. .

Answer 13

Ignore the person who said it can't be treated.  It can!  Find a DAN Doctor, (Defeat Autism Now) and start doing some homework on your own.  Don't wait, don't take NO for an answer.  There are things you can be trying with diet and homeopathic medicine, some kids who have autism have yeast overgrowth some have food allergies, go to your library and read everything they have on autism, get Jenny McCarthy's book for some support.  You are missing out on vital time.  Call the assessment people and get on a cancellation list.  Call them frequently and ask if there is any way to get in sooner.  Bring on the thumbs down, but don't let him have any vaccinations of any kind until you have seen a DAN doctor. I wish you and your son the best of luck!

Answer 14

I have sons with autism.My oldest who is 5 got limited early intervention due to his late diagnosis.My youngest who just turned 3 got about 2 years of early intervention due to him being diagnosed early.I would keep the appointment but also seek alternative places even if you have to pay out of pocket.Remember autism have a wide range of abilities and the earlier then intervention the more progress you may see.He may always only say copied words.Acceptance is key to his progress.And you may not see much progress until several years down the road but don't lose hope.

We live in the US and at 3 the early intervention stops and the kids go into the school system where I have found its harder to get the help you need.The therapies out of pocket are expensive but worth it sometimes.