Best way to get a private diagnosis

[indianajane]

I want to find out about getting a private diagnosis for my ds. He is assessed as 'high risk' of Aspergers and has specific learning difficulties (depending on who in the LEA I speak to! ) Do I go to dyslexia action for his learning dificulties and an ed psych for his AS difficulties or an Ed Psych for both?

[indianajane]

taps fingers

[blinkingthreetimes]

Sorry I don't know but I am trying to find out teh same thing at the moment .

[indianajane]

Ah - just seen your other thread about the stand off on the stairs! Do you think your ds may be AS then?

[blinkingthreetimes]

No it's my dd, we think she has dyspraxia .

[indianajane]

Oh okay.

[deeeja]

You should see a developmental paediatrician for a diagnosis, not an EP.
I have heard good things about dyslexia action.
If you are in South, try Dr Keene. She has her own website, you can find it if you google. Linda Miller is an excellent EP, she is at London Childrens Practice.
Dr Keen works with LCP alot, as does Dr Diane Smyth, both excellent.

[indianajane]

Thanks deeja.
So (to be clear for me!)We need to see a developmental paedriatrician for AS difficulties and try dyslexia action for learning difficulties?
We are in the North West but could travel.
How many visits do you think we would need to make for the AS difficulties?

[deeeja]

Sorry, I am a bit confused, do you already have a diagnosis, and you want help with some behavioural issues?
If you need a diagnosis it is best to see a consultant developmental paediatrician, if you want an EP, Linda Miller is good and specialises in asd.
In the north-west, I don't know of anywhere, sorry.
Try the NAS website, or try their helpline, they will have info.
Best of luck!

[indianajane]

Sorry if I haven't explained very well! Yes we want to find out about a diagnosis. Can this be done privately?

[castlesintheair]

You need to see a (private) developmental paediatrician to get a diagnosis. We did this for our DS. They might then refer you to EP/SALTS etc for a more detailed diagnosis. Private EP tests not worth bothering with, IMO, esp if you DS is quite young.

I rang the Wolfson Centre (part of Great Ormond St) to find ours. Probably only useful if you live in London or nearby.

[twocutedarlings]

If you are seeking a Dx of AS to help your son in school, then you need to make sure that whoever does the private Dx also works for the NHS - Most LEA's wont accept a private Dx unless it has been given by an NHS professional.

Have you looked into how long a wait it is in your area for an ASD assessment? In some areas it can take forever, but we were quite lucky. We waited 3mths for our first appointment and a further 2 mths while assessements were done to Dx.

[indianajane]

Thanks two cute darlings. Did you get a private diagnosis?

[twocutedarlings]

No India - My DD was Diagnosed at our local child development centre. Tbh i dont think its something that can be just rushed. Getting a diagnosis is a very complexed assessment, lot of questions to be answered and observations made. There are so many conditions that overlap and present similar issues ect.

Has your son been reffered? a friend of mine rang the CDC most days to check if they had had any cancellations and managed to get her DS an appiontment within weeks of his initial referal.

[indianajane]

He was referred when he was 3. Paedriatrician was convinced he had AS but SALT disagreed. He was assessed by ed psych as being in high risk category for AS. So no diagnosis and no help. In two minds whether to ask GP to refer him again. I'm sure I saw on here that BUPA would diagnose AS. They use NHS doctors don't they? Wonder whether that's worth pursuing.

[jenk1]

indianajane im in the northwest, DS was asessed and dx,d AS by a private psychologist and his dx is on DS statement.

LEA,s dont like private dx,s but they will (at a push) put them on a statement.

happy to give you the details of the private psych who dx,d DS.

[twocutedarlings]

I think i would explore both avenues tbh, some private medical insurances do include ASD assessment.

How old is he ?

Dont bank on a diagnosis getting him extra support in school. My daughter has recently been turned down for an MPA assessment despite needing almost constant TA support at school. In theory a child doesnt need a dx at gain extra support (although it helps) support should assessed on the childs individual needs.

What problems is he having?

It would also be a good idea to post this over on the special needs board, its used alot more than this board is.

[jenk1]

yes would second that a dx doesnt mean extra support, DS has a dual dx of PDD (nhs) and AS(private) and they both said he needed small classroom sizes 1-2-1 etc but it still took months to get that.

[indianajane]

He has problems with getting ready for school, gets upset by change and changes in his routine - has been hard work this week due to holiday, eating, washing, getting dressed, brushing teeth, temper outbursts, wants family and friends to adapt round his agenda that kind of thing. We want a dx mainly so that when he goes to his next school (he's 10) we don't have to go through the process of convincing the school that he has difficulties and he's not just being naughty, which we had to do throughout the infants.

[indianajane]

Jenk - it would be brilliant if you could give me the details of whoever diagnosed your ds.

[jenk1]

hv you got CAT facility cos dont really like putting my email address on a public forum!!!!, i havent got cat or i would get in touch that way.

[twocutedarlings]

Yep all sounds very familiar .

Definatley go back to your GP, the world of ASD has moved along in leaps in the last few years.

Good Luck xx

[indianajane]

jenk I will cat you thankyou.
two cute darlings - thanks for your advice. Will investigate private diagnosis and pester the GP.

[deeeja]

Hi IJ, do you have a statement of sen.
It sounds as though your ds needs a statement to ensure he gets the help he is entitled to.
I got an nhs dx, and then went to get a private dx because I wanted a second opinion. The private dx showed that my ds is alot more severe than the nhs dx, and when it came to the statement I convinced the head of the panel to put my ds's private dx on the statement. It did definately help that the private paediatrician works both with the nhs and privately and is highly respected is area of asd. Her credentials were much higher than those of all nhs diagnosticians in my borough.
If there has been no firm conclusion as to your son's dx, then push for a second opinion straight away.
Best of luck!

[twinsplus1]

Would you mind posting the name of the doctor you used for private diagnosis?