is my son autistic?

[roshmctosh]

My son is 6yrs old with behavioural problems.  When he was in pre-school the teacher brought it to my attention, then he went on to nursery where he was disruptive in class, struggled to sit in circle time, found it hard to make friends, and he seemed to enjoy playing with sensory toys. They got an educational psycologist to assess him and found that he got through his day much better when it was structured with routine and visual timetables.  He then started primary school where a multi disciplinary group have been helping him.  An occupational therapist has been helping him as he has low muscle tone and had to be taught how to hold his pencil, and he has difficulty reading and writing, there is also a behavioural therapist who spends an hour a week with him.  During the summer months the multi disc team ran a summer group and he was invited along.  On the last week two of the therapists told me that he may be on the autistic spectrum.  I was devastated, but relieved at the same time as his behaviour at home is extremely difficult.  He is obsessed with toys, OK he is only 6 and all 6 yr olds love toys, but he loves transforming ones and if he's not playing with one he's talking about them or asking me to bring him to the toy shop for one to the extent where he starts arguements, these usually result in him throwing tantrums and it takes a lot to bring him round.  He's just started Primary 2 and since he's gone back to school he has settled down a great deal, in fact he seems like a new boy at times!  So my question is, could he just be a little immature or should I get him checked out?  I know in my heart there's something not right with him but I just don't know what?

[91004]

It doesn't seem autistic to me. Most autistic children say no more than a couple of words and is normally spoke in 3rd person. Such as Patrick pee, Patrick lights. Unless it is a very mild case it doesn't seem like it to me. I am no doctor though. I have known a couple of people to have it and have worked closely with them. I am basing my opinion on their behaviors.

[specialmom]

Hi, I also don't think he sounds autistic as a part of autism is a speech delay typically.  Aspergers usually doesn't have a speech delay, however and is considered hifunctioning.  

My son has sensory integration disorder (and many autistic kids have sensory integration/processing disorder along with autism----- but sensory can be a diagnosis in and of itself as in my son's case).  The behaviors you describe sound like my son, to be honest.  While my son has this developmental delay that affects his nervous system,  he is functioning very well.  It will never go away, I'm told.  But he is learning coping mechanisms and thus, blends in with the other kids.  I can give you a whole list of things that my son does to help with his sensory issues.  (by the way, most people---- adults and kids alike, have some sensory issues----- it is only a disorder when a child can't cope with it).  There are so many things you can do----- most of which aren't hard and can just be part of his day.  For example, drinking thick things through a straw such as applesauce or a thick smoothie is calming and organizing to the brain.  My son does every single day before school.  I have umpteen ideas so let me know if you'd like some.  

He's being evaluated by an occupational therapist who is trained to spot things.  I'd be open to what she says-----  but he sounds more like my son than autistic in anyway.  Is she just putting him under a category in order to get services?  This will probably happen with my son when he gets an IEP because sensory isn't a category by itself.  A wise person told me to be less concerned as to what they name the problem than how they handle it and what the end result is in terms of his functioning and happiness.  

I wish you lots of luck!