Advanced autism possibility. Long one please read.
A silly remark from another mum at a toddler group has got my head frazzled and I’m now feeling concerned. I would love some advice from other mums on what you think of this situation.
My little boy has just turned 2 last month, he’s extremely sociable, we’ve gone to classes since he was around 2 weeks old and see’s other kids at nursery. We also have a huge family and friendship network with a lot of kids around his age.
He’s always been quite quick with his milestones, his talking is amazing for his age. He’s got a real interest in book, letters, numbers and shapes etc.
He now counts to around 30, he can tell you the full alphabet and can point to letters/numbers when jumbled up and still identify. He’s great with shapes and colours too. I just genuinely thought this was pretty standard. He’s always just shown a keen interest in learning through play! We play with his tuff tray a lot and I incorporate a lot of learning skills ie literacy and maths into this while still having fun.
Anyways, we were at a group and another mum was listening to him chat away and I asked him to spell his name, he’s been doing this now while pointing to letters and spelling it out (it’s on his bedroom wall) and now he doesn’t need to see the letters to spell it as he’s got it in his memory. She approached and asked his age etc and literally asked if I had concerns of autism. I was shocked if I’m honest.
Later in the group one of the members got out his favourite book, he reads it most days at nursery and at home. We love the book therefore he knows what’s coming in the story and as the lady was reading my little boy decided to join in and was telling her what’s coming next. The same lady from earlier was sat next to me and make a snide remark, not a compliment and went ‘wow brainy eh’.
When we’re in supermarkets and he see’s the numbers above the aisles he likes to point them out. Or if we see a car parked he likes to tell me the entire reg plate. Is this a fixation or is it just an interest?
This has me so confused.
Can I have opinions please 🥲
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He sounds absolutely lovely and advanced for his age. It doesn't sound like you were worried until this woman mentioned it and frankly it sounds like she is a bit jealous. Have a chat with your health visitor if you do have concerns and I wouldn't engage with her any further to be honest with you.
I would say this is very advanced for his age, but I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily a sign of something else. Does he have any differences in other areas? Sensory struggles, need for rigid routine etc? x
More often than not, advanced reading skills are a sign of autism in children with average-high IQ. It is called hyperlexia. 70-90% of hyperlexic children are autistic.
People have a certain idea of how autism looks like, but a lot of autistic people are functional, go to school, get a job, etc., and some never get diagnosed or don't even realise they are autistic until they have a breakdown.
Hyperlexia alone doesn't make a child autistic. You would need to find differences or difficulties in different areas.
Some autistic children have advanced communication and vocabulary, they are hyperverbal, and people wouldn't think about autism because autistic children are supposed to be delayed.
It was not very tactful of her to pass on that comment, specially if she doesn't know you.
At the moment you could start informing yourself on autistic traits, see how they manifest and see if you find anything concerning. Some autistic children find difficulties as they get older.
He sounds incredibly advanced, that’s brilliant! She sounds like she’s feeling threatened that her child isn’t that far ahead and is looking for reasons to make herself feel better. I think the things you’re describing are uncommonly advanced but it’s a very good thing! Even if one day he is found to be autistic, which I don’t think this indicates at all, but even if he is - if he is sociable and able then what does it matter. We rely on people who are autistic to come up with things like the enigma codebreaker, computers, lightbulbs and even Pokémon! Also with the world of AI we’re going into, any sort of advanced skills will take him a long way.
Sounds like you need to avoid that Mum to be honest.
Even if it is autism (or something else), how wonderful is your little boy!
Sounds like you're doing amazing and encouraging his interests. Keep doing what you're doing ☺️
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Advanced autism possibility. Long one please read.
A silly remark from another mum at a toddler group has got my head frazzled and I’m now feeling concerned. I would love some advice from other mums on what you think of this situation.
My little boy has just turned 2 last month, he’s extremely sociable, we’ve gone to classes since he was around 2 weeks old and see’s other kids at nursery. We also have a huge family and friendship network with a lot of kids around his age.
He’s always been quite quick with his milestones, his talking is amazing for his age. He’s got a real interest in book, letters, numbers and shapes etc.
He now counts to around 30, he can tell you the full alphabet and can point to letters/numbers when jumbled up and still identify. He’s great with shapes and colours too. I just genuinely thought this was pretty standard. He’s always just shown a keen interest in learning through play! We play with his tuff tray a lot and I incorporate a lot of learning skills ie literacy and maths into this while still having fun.
Anyways, we were at a group and another mum was listening to him chat away and I asked him to spell his name, he’s been doing this now while pointing to letters and spelling it out (it’s on his bedroom wall) and now he doesn’t need to see the letters to spell it as he’s got it in his memory. She approached and asked his age etc and literally asked if I had concerns of autism. I was shocked if I’m honest.
Later in the group one of the members got out his favourite book, he reads it most days at nursery and at home. We love the book therefore he knows what’s coming in the story and as the lady was reading my little boy decided to join in and was telling her what’s coming next. The same lady from earlier was sat next to me and make a snide remark, not a compliment and went ‘wow brainy eh’.
When we’re in supermarkets and he see’s the numbers above the aisles he likes to point them out. Or if we see a car parked he likes to tell me the entire reg plate. Is this a fixation or is it just an interest?
This has me so confused.
Can I have opinions please 🥲
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