My 8 year old has strange behaviours could it be autism?

Blanca - posted on 07/12/2009

I just wanted to say that as a mother of a child with autism and who had to go through something similar, I sympathize with you and will keep you in my prayers. Keep persisting and you will find your answers and ALWAYS trust your own instincts as a mother. YOU know your child best and dont' let anyone tell you any different.

Vicky - posted on 07/11/2009

Hello, I'm also in the uk, my eldest son is 9 and has high-functioning autism (aspergers) aswell as adhd. I'm interested as to where you've booked him in for a test for ASD?

I'd strongly recommend for you to see your gp, stress your concerns and ask that they refer you to a paediatrician for further investigation, they will do various investigations (speech and language, educational psychologist, occupational therapy etc.) aswell as giving questionnaires for yourself and the school to complete. It's a long process but they won't just go by the mood he's in on the day and will see him more than once anyway, but it'll be worth it for you to get a really good overall idea of where he is aswell as a diagnosis. I hope you get to the bottom of your concerns x

Alexis - posted on 07/11/2009

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is very common in autistic individuals, so is the inability to read social cues. The sound making could very possibly be a sensory issue. The feeling it causes when he makes it could be making up for lack of sensory that his body is unable to create. Do some research on sensory try various excersies and see how he reacts. But hound your doctors, don't care about being nice or worrying about what they think. And work with the school district they have the abilities to do testing as well. The sooner you figure it out the sooner you both get help.

Jessi - posted on 07/10/2009

your son sounds alot like mine he is 6 and is an aspy kid with other issues including ocd. my son has to have things exactly the same way and follows the same routine everyday. its part of the aspurgers. he will play with the same cars on the same rug everyday he also is facinated with tornadoes, the sound a flushing toilet makes and red mini vans. no one knows why he also was a wely quiet infant who didnt want to be held and never crawled. he is in a mainstream 2nd grade class with sev eral aides and is failing misserably and the school officials just dont care they say he has no want or will to learn so they arent even going to try. i have been told by my childfs principal that he will be a high school dropout and will always live with me. i am determined to prove the woman wrong. i hope your journey goes smoother than mine and good luck.

Colleen - posted on 06/30/2009

If you have insurance, I wouldn't wait on the school system to diagnose your child. Make the appointment and get him tested yourself, then bring the results to the school. It will be faster and much more efficient, and you won't be at their mercy to shuffle your paperwork through the process. As a teacher, and a mom who's been in your boat, I wish you the very best. He's going to need you to be his advocate, so start by making him that appointment. :)

Kelli - posted on 06/30/2009

Call for a full ARC meeting at school to get the whole process started. You want a full evaluation from the school psych's because that is your right if the full committee agrees. Good luck!

Tina - posted on 06/27/2009

autitic children are all very different.....the spctrum is so big......go to a pedi neurologist he will tell you

Maria - posted on 06/26/2009

Hello Julie, This is Maria again and I just wanted to say it sounds like your son has repetitive behavior.That is one on the signs of Autism, But again Autism is a wide range of behaviors from mild to severe. I would suggest starting with the school they have a school psychologist that can observe and evaluate your son. I would strongly suggest get a copy of the report once the evaluation is done. Then go to your son's pediatrician and ask for him to be seeing by a specialist for possible autism or other developmental disorders. Their may be a waiting list, but it's worth it. I hope this helps .

Maria

Maria - posted on 06/25/2009

Hello my name is Maria. I have a 10 year old and a 8 year old sons that are autistic. I’ve only been dealing with their diagnosis for about a year. Autism is a wide range of behaviors. It can range from mild to severe. Kade my 10 year old has to have everything straighten up in the bathroom and bedroom. It has to be in order or he screams, cries, hits the walls if it’s not in place. My 8 year old, Joseph runs in the hallway for about an hour. He flaps his arms and has a weird facial expression. He has a sensory issues with sound and food. There is more but I want to give you some information that I have.
The Jean Barton Swindells Resource Center for Children and Families and their website is: www.providence.org/childcenter and phone number is:
503-215-2429.
Willamette Education Service District and website is: www.wesd.org and phone number is: (888) 560-4666
Threshold’s Autism Training and Support Series and website is:
www.understandingautism.org and phone number is: 503-375-9462
Disability Compass and website is: www.disabilitycompass.org and phone number is: 503-292-4964, ext. 107
Oregon Family Support Network and website is: www.ofsn.org and phone number is: 541-342-2876
Oregon Parent Training and Information Center is: www.orpti.org or info@orpti.org and phone number is: 503-581-8156
Everything I listed is good resources. I hope it helps.
Maria

Sarah - posted on 06/25/2009

you need to stick at it it does take along time to get a diagnosis but you need it to get the help he will need in school especially comp. I had the same problem kept being told my son was naughty back and forwards to the school got him referred to a physiologist at age 7 due to his anxiety and anger he waited till 8 to see anyone and got a diagnosis at 10, only you know your child go with your instincts

Julie - posted on 06/25/2009

thanks everyone, your comments really help. the school is really concentrating on his learning delay and have just told me to take him to the doctors for tests. the school has carried out several speach and communication observations on him and they all say he is struggling in most areas but it all seems like a long struggle, we have been getting on to the school since reception class (i'm in the uk by the way) and they just kept saying "don't wory he'll catch up" i knew deep down that it wasn't just a delay. i will keep pushing the doctors to get referals and chase every step of the way. thanks again for your support it's great to know other parents are going through the same things.

Cyndi - posted on 06/24/2009

You can ask the school to start an evaluation. It is only a starting point but a starting point non the less. Also your pediatrician should be able to help you find a psychologist who can in turn point you in a direction for a full evaluation. Keep in mind it is in fact a long process, and will take time.

Tamara - posted on 06/23/2009

I WOULD CONTINUE TO DO YOUR OWN STUDYING ON THE INTERNET AND COMPARING YOUR YOUR CHILD TO OTHERS AND STILL GET AN EVAL DONE,BECAUSE MY SON JUST TURNED 7 IN MAY AND HE HAS SEEN ABOUT 8 DOCTORS AND THEY ARE ALL CONFUSED WITH HIM. I BELIVE MY SON HAS ASPERGERS THEY SAY THE SAME THING BUT NEVER DIAGNOSE HIM.JUST ONLY A MONTH AGO HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PDD.I WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE MY SON TO OTHER EVALS UNTIL I FEEL COMFORTABLE.GOOD LUCK!

Julie - posted on 06/23/2009

thanks brenda, i think there is a long waiting list for the tests here but i will keep pestering the doctors until i get some help.

Brenda - posted on 06/23/2009

You may need to have him fully evaluated, I would suggest this only to clear the air. He may also have somthing close to Turretts syndrome. My grandson exhibits alot of anger and defiance with his mother, I have suggested he get tested for autism or behavorial issues. good luck