So who is best to see from here?

[amberj]

As some of you know, there are some concerns about DS being along the ASD, and the more I read/ hear about, the more concerned I get, I don't even know what I am thinking any more.

Its obvious we need to see someone about it, and I have an appointment with the GP on Monday to get a referral to the appropriate person. But who is the appropriate person? A paediatrician? Or is there another kind of specialist I should be asking to see?

Feeling a bit overwhelmed and confused.

[Lulu]

He is just waaay to young to be diagnosed hun. Way to young. Kids can be weird and quirky and be just that.

Go have a look around in the forums and chat to the girls that have kids with ASD, Autism - should melt your fears away somewhat.

xoxoxo

ETA - ooh hope that didn't come across as too dismissive. I do think you should go chat with the ladies in the Austism/Sensory chatter. My DS has sensory issues and chatting with them showed me all the signs he WASN'T showing as well as the ones he was.

I read back through the pointing update - is there anything else that bothers you?

[amberj]

I appreciate what you are saying Lulu, but I have lots of people also telling me to take small concerns seriously and get onto this now because if there is anything out of place, early intervention is so important. So that's why I'm asking.

[Lulu]

edited above chicken...

[Inanna]

It's fine to get him investigated and the right place to start is a paed. You need to find a paed that specialises in this for the best help.

At 16 months no Doctor worth his degree will diagnose him with ASD - as you know the spectrum is very very broard. You are right that early intervention is important & it is. My DD14 has ASD (aspergers) and she clearly displayed issues from a very small baby. She wasn't formally diagnosed until she was 12.

Get an appointment and an appropriate specialist will likely shine a light on this.

[christy]

A behavioural paediatrician is a great step for a 16 month old. I took Matilda first to the Mater Children's in Brisbane which does multi-disciplinary assessing. I waited 18 months to get in though... so if you are going public, be prepared to wait a while. For multi-disciplinary they are assessed by an audiologist, a speech pathologist, a physiotherapist, a paediatrician and an occupational therapist. With those results they get together and make a diagnosis or suggestions on where to next. With Matilda, the suggestion was to see a psychologist and decide if it was behavioural or ASD. She has Sensory Integration Disorder which was diagnosed at that time as well. 88% of kids on the Autistic spectrum have Sensory Processing issues.

I see you are Nth West Melbourne? I know that Maz has said they have amazing services in Shepparton, so maybe ask her about something close by?

[monnie]

Hey Amber

The GP will give a referral for a Paediatrician, which is the best place to start.

The Paediatrician will do a general assessment covering a whole lot of developmental areas. ASD will only be one of the things they consider at this stage...

Ask lots of questions and try not to be too disappointed if you don't get answers straight away. In fact, it's normally a good sign that professionals are doing their jobs properly, if they don't jump to conclusions too quickly.

Sometimes it's really helpful to write things down before you go to your appointment...write down your questions as they pop into your head over the next few weeks and write down information about your son's birth, milestones, family history, etc.

If they decide that ASD is a possibility, they will refer you onto other specialists. In WA, to receive an ASD diagnosis, your child needs to be assessed by a Paediatrician + Speech Pathologist + Clinical Psychologist...but it is different from state to state.

I know it's easy to say, but try not to read into behaviours too much or read stuff too much stuff on the internet.

I really think you are doing the right thing by checking things out. It's not easy but it's really wise. And it's every likelihood that everything will be fine...but either way, at least you'll know.

All the best!