Good start for the thread Bart.
I'll add to this abit about my son to add more context for the thread.
Dax is 6. We managed to get an early diagnosis when he was 2. Its not rare but uncommon at early ages to get diagnosed but we noticed how he was with interaction early doors, his repetition on lots pf generic traits for autism such as lining up cars, trains, night terrors, etc.
We wanted the 'label' because we believe that to get help you need confirmation. By getting a diagnosis it relaxed us as we thought we could get help.
Dax seems to want to do the things that will cause most anxiety. His complexity means he does want to interact but he pretty much needs to be the leader. And his rules. Number 1 in the queue. Eveything, and i mean pretty muxh everything you say or do should be tailored to him e.g. learning, activities, eating.
He has an awful diet- bread and butter sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, dinner. Eats a few bananas, the odd apple and specific chocolate. Thats one of the hardest things to break/get him comfortable with new food. He did have night terrors alot buy that has decreased. He is on melotonin though cos usually if he is tired we notice his behaviour dips at school. He isn't in any way a violent aggressive person. However he instantly reacts as he doesn't connect with emotions. And these reactions can be aggressive. He knows what to say and do afterwards - say sorry. Cos thats literal. But he won't retain the trait of not doing it again, like climbing the dinner tables at school.
Family mostly don't get it. They're supportive but for a long time didn't get you don't just get 'cured'. What to say, what to do is important. You jave to be on it, or he could react, run away, get anxious, hit himself, throw his glasses, etc.
I can add more when i have time but ask away.
Oh, and he's going to a Special needs school in Sept as they haven't got the resources at his primary school to give him the support he needs. Always down to money in the end.