Guest Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Hi I just wondered if any one caould tell me things i could look out for to identify the indications of a child who has Autism. I have a child who has started at the pre-school who's brother has been diagonsed with Autism, mother has asked me to keep an eye on sibling in case she shows any signs. She is 2 years old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacquieL Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 The NAS site is very useful. http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=458&a=5489 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Running Bunny Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 I think that it would be very difficult to pick up signs or clues at such an early age. Key features of autism are about social interaction and repetitive behaviour, but many young children display these signs - especially when in a new setting. Autism isn't usually formally diagnosed until somewhere betweeen 5-9 years old. I guess that you could speak to mum to find out what the signs were in her other child and when she started noticing them so that you could be more alert to things? It would also depend how old her son was when he was diagnosed. Saying that though, my nephew was diagnosed with Aspergers at the age of three although he had never spent any time with other children, so I was thinking that there may just be a social/language delay because of this. He is four and a half now and has still not been to a playgroup or nursery (but that's another story!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 I had an autistic child in my group and the sibling joined later. Again Mum ask for us to look for signs, but after a short time we realised that the sibling was copying the autistic behaviour to get attention. So do take time to get to know the sibling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inge Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 (edited) just want to coment that we have had 2 children diagnosed with this while with us the first was well BEFORE she was 3 , mum had started statement process before she had started with us, and second had just had her statement at 4, so it is possible to norice at a younger age. Both ours have been girls which is unusual. AUTISM this site seems to give a clear idea of what to look for.... it is so wide ranging list and varies so much in degrees that it is not definitive. NAS is where we also look for help and advice for both us and parents Autism in early years Inge Edited April 25, 2007 by Inge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 I would gather as much information from the familiy as poss. However no two children are the same as we all know so well. It could be that the mum is looking for reasurance that this child is meeting the norms expected. Or the family have had to play the time game with the older child and they feel that getting in now and getting the ball rolling now would be a good start. As the family have already faced the system & autism before they will be good advisors to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 I have an autistic child who was diagnosed at 3. His sister is autistic and comes from a family of autism, aunts uncles cousins etc. the sister is a high achiever autistic and at 6/7 years old reads like a 14 yr old. at the moment she is reading Harry Potter!!!!!!. mum has a high IQ. the child we has been diagnosed as probably being a high achiever but we have yet to find at what He doesn't socialise well but loves being with everybody. likes cuddles on his terms, will hold eye contact again on his terms. he doesn't verbalise but makes him self understood. mum says he talks at home which we often put to the test by telling him to tell mum something and she comes back the next day and tells us. He's very good at reading people and personalities. can pick out the soft touch staff very easily. has a few tantrums, reacts differently to situations than what you would expect. Love him to bits and can't wait to see what he is special at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmileyPR Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Thanks for the links. I will be having a child next year who has been diagnosed with Autism at the age of 4. His parents are doing their best and his actual teacher and myself will be going with them to a network conference/workshop within a couple of weeks. They were very happy that we want to help their child. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts