Hi all. I hope it's ok for me to be posting in here. I have been lurking due to a few things going on with DS1, and I feel the need to post. I don't really know where to start. Basically, we are on the list at the Mater to have DS1 assessed. This is after several "prompts" from day care about having him assessed as well as our own observations of some issues. And one of the carers "prompting" has a son on the autism spectrum (just mildly). At first we thought we'd really only be seeing what his IQ is, as he is very bright, but now it seems it will be more to see if he has ADD or is on the autism spectrum.

The thing is, he has "quirks", and certainly some of the things I am reading about with the ASD kids in here. But he is different too. He doesn't throw tanties. He really never has. He likes routine and can get "sad" when things change, but he does it anyway without too much hassle. He mostly doesn't really play with other kids, but sometimes he does. And he mostly makes eye contact, he just doesn't when he is being told off or asked to say sorry or something he doesn't like.

But he doesn't really mix well with other kids his age. And his best friend at kindy is the class trouble maker (who I am sure has ADHD or something). He can't concentrate on things he isn't interested in. Books and puzzles will hold his attention for ages, but he can't sit through a meal, or concentrate on the toilet for long enough to do no 2s. He is nearly 4 (in Feb) and still has "accidents" nearly every day, despite meeting most other milestones really early. He talks really well, but doesn't communicate well. What I mean is, he rambles. He has gone on for about 6 weeks about Nemo. Everything to do with Nemo. Everything about the sharks. Everything about the baracoudas. Everything about the pelican. On and on and on, even at 4am on the toilet he was blabbering on about Nemo. And he just talks. It takes a lot to get him to stop and listen or answer questions. He is supposed to be getting dressed and he just talks. Or counts, or spells or asks questions. It can take half an hour to get him to concentrate for long enough to put his clothes on. He does really well at day care and swimming lessons when the level he is at is new. But a couple of months later he won't behave. He is bored and can't concentrate. He only ever draws in black. I didn't even know this was a sign until this thread. And he is pedantic about some things.

And the scariest thing. A close friend has an autistic (and savant) 13yo. I think it's aspergers. When she talks about B (her DS) as a child it reminds me so much of DS1. There are definite similarities. She met DS1 a few weeks ago and when I told her about the Mater she said she's almost positive we will get an aspergers diagnosis. She said talking to Jack was just like talking to B at the same age. I am hoping that it's just because they are both bright. But more and more I am wondering.

Anyway, so where we are at, is that he is low on the Mater list as they don't think, from the referral (which didn't have much information in it) that he is a likely autism candidate. But she said to ring back if there are more things we are concerned about and he might get moved forward. A few things have happened in the last week or so since then to make me think I should ring and tell her about them. But then I'm scared because I don't want them to find a "label" for him. But then I think, if we know, we can manage it. So I guess I'm looking to see what you ladies, who know more about this than me, think about whether or not there is a potential that it's more than just being bright. And if so, what things should I mention to bring his appointment forward. Or indeed if I should move his appointment forward. At this stage he won't be seen until after his 4th birthday in Feb. Maybe he's young enough that timing isn't important. And is he better off going with them thinking he doesn't have anything, than thinking he might? I am so confused. Thank you for listening.