What can your 4-5year old do

[maz]

ok here's my go, I'll do 2 different colours one for when Wilhelm was 4 and now

1. Whats your child like with playing pretend?
Hates it....sits in his own little world and will repeativley watch the credits of movies
Pretends to be his friends now or plays make believe with toys ect...has totally come out of his shell

2. Does your child play games like soccer, catch, cricket with you?
Sits and stares blankly and if asked to join in he agressively says NO
Cant wait to kick the ball back or try and swing the bat, insisting its always his turn

3. Does your child put their new clothes on top of their old ones unless you remind them explicitly to take off the old clothes?
God I wish, WIlhelm would prefer to wear shorts and a t-shirt. Have had alot of trouble in winter...3 years of wears shorts and t-shirts in winter and im over it. Screams uncontrollably at me trying to suggest putting pants and a jumper on. WEars only ug boots..no sneakers
WOO HOO now wears pants and jumpers(only out side) and sneakers. Having trouble with a little man remembering to put jocks on though.

4. Does your child like drawing? What do they draw? Can you recognise it? What is their grip like?
Lots of squiggles and fist hold of pen, texture.
Hmm writes everything, fasinated by books (reading at 8 year old level) has just started to draw himself and other family members

5. Has your child ever said they don't like someone because of what there voice sounds like?
WOuld scream if we went to certains shops, holds ears and rocks uncontrollably along with screaming
Still doesnt like deep male voices and tells me when I tell him off that im hurting his ears while holding them...can atleast go shopping now

6. Does your child talk non-stop during the day (and I mena barely pausing to take a breath) What do they talk about? Is it varied or is it mainly just on one subject?
Everything was related to movie talk..yes talked non stop and god the headaches...it was his way of trying to start a conversation with me
Now when Wilhelm walks in a room he says hello IM WIlhelm BOurke and this is my friend my mum. There still is a bit of movie talk but only when he gets adgitated and totally out of his confort zone

Ive done alot of work with WIlhelm to get him to were he is today. Yes Ive cried my eye's out but I am so happy with the little man he is now compared to last year. He is a lot more interactive socially, has friends (YAY)and has become more independant.

My advice would go and see a health nurse and voice you worries. I would have been totally lost without mine. Its hard to have people judge and make silly comments about your darling's situation unless they have a child with simular features so to speak. They may be thinking they are trying to be supportive but really to a mum in this situation, it can be mindless chatter and do more harm then good. Go with your gutt matie...if you feel like something isnt right, go and get it checked, sooner rather then later. The quicker you can get some help the easier and better it is in the long run./ Yes its hard but when you finally hear - I lov eyou mummy with no prompting (at 5 mind you) it melts your heart. I was told WIlhelm would never be able to tell me that...ha he proved the professionals all wrong.

WIlhelm has been diagnosed with medium to high functioning Autisum...to me he's just my little baby boy.

Hope its helped and remember im only an email away

xxmaz