This is a tough one but I think you did the right thing (and not drop the A-bomb). Our therapist strongly suspected another girl was on spectrum at our son's normal preschool class and raised the concern with principal. Not sure how delicately the principal handled it (presumably asked consent for a formal screening), but the end result was the girl's parents were so offended (or in denial) that they decided to withdraw the girl from the preschool i.e. even worse outcome than status quo.

I think best approach is identifying speech delay as a concern to the parent, and tell them lots can be done about it, what you did and focus early intervention (for speech and development delays and don't need diagnosis for this). Most parents will easily acknowledge and realize speech delay and I believe much more willing to do something about. That is how we started looking into it initially suspecting speech delay. Hopefully, with early intervention, more screening can be done down the road.

I personally believe it is not up to you to diagnose. Especially a stranger. I would be very put off. I think something like this is up to family, doctors and teachers to bring to the parents atte toon. Perhaps a really good friend. You don't know if these people are already seeking help or what is going on. Sorry I hope I don't sound rude but it would really annoy me if people were coming up to me informing me my son had autism when I was already living it.

Absolutely the key is to let THEM talk...you just don't blurt out sign and symptom arbitrarily. Compassion and sensitivity is key. Take advantage of an opportunity if given and know when to be silent

There's that line between over stepping and helping. I think since you've been there you could mention it in a way that wouldn't offend them. I hate when I see parents disciplining a child that needs help. Good luck

Dear dblue797,Your in a environment that you have been given an opportunity to connect with and be an advocate for kids on the spectrum., You did the right thing! in my opinion. First you started with your own reality and said "This is true for me or my child" When my child did this or that, we suspected it might be autism so we looked into that. diagnosing rarely is effective that method can be very scary for first time parents. Sometimes You will have parents open up after you have given some advice and offered a tool..the door opener conversation, if you have participated in defuseing a melt down or something, you had some tools right on hand to show them, like a sensory mitt, just your suggestions, Most parents that are aware parents welcome suggestions in a challenge,. Just yesterday this happened to us, a dear friend that has 2 young boys, commented to me. "I see my Johnny and Blake doing the hand flapping and lining things up, they both have big vocabularies but do not have much eye contact" and being a parent of many ASD kids I am sensitive to that. I did mention that my son had many characteristics like that, some were worse, some seemed mild. some kids grow out of many things encourage with that too. Once at a grocery store, a woman allowed me to use a sensory ball on her son's feet I had one in my purse and the boy was going bilistic as I passed them with my cart I could just feel and see the desperation on her face. I asked her "would you allow me to try something on your son's feet that helped my kids. and I showed her the sensory mitt. I have given 5 of those away in such cases.. Be prepared that you may be told "I don't need your help" any help to a child dealing with the symptoms of autism deserves all the assistance they can get. You are advocating for the child, and for the Parent but perhaps they just don't know that yet and that is OK! Share what you know. You are a blessing to others. Success... Unshared =failure. I liked that you took from your own experience, and offered suggestions. as parents and extrodinary people are those who reach out to others no matter the cost when you do it with a giving heart then no one can fault you. Know your doing your part.. The parent has to get to the point of reaching out too.. It is always the right thing to offer life rings to any one who is struggling..