Who is allowed to diagnose ASD?

[deadwitchproject]

I've suspected my DT2 has ASD since he was 12 months old but the community paediatrician wouldn't see him as he was too young. He also had mild sleep apnoea, glue ear, adenoid/tonsil issues and we are investigating this (although this may be a red herring as his symptoms have improved so much). My GP has agreed to refer him again now.

He recently had a full hearing test with a couple of Audiologists but he failed to comply with the test as he was so hyperactive, no eye contact, not responding to anyone, just generally tearing around the room looking quite deranged.

Later that afternoon, one of the Audiologists called me and suggested I should get him referred for ASD stat as she's seen hundreds of children and she couldn't get to him as he was so "locked in". She also said "we're not having this conversation"

I'm pretty sure she's not qualified to give a diagnosis but, in your experience, would an Audiologist have a pretty good idea about ASD behaviours?

[Rainicorn]

When DS2 went through his ASD DX part of it was being seen by an audiologist to rule out any hearing impairment reasons for his behaviour.

I wouldn't expect an audiologist to be so direct though,that is not their job.

[Rainicorn]

Sorry, pressed enter too soon.

Speak to your GP and ask for a referral to the child developement centre at your local hospital.

[FancyAnOlive]

I think only paediatricians and psychologists can dx ASD. Am pretty sure an audiologist can't either - I guess she was giving you her opinion rather than a dx though?

[autumnsmum]

Tbh she can't diagnose I think it has to be a paed but I was relieved when a physio picked up my concerns about ds and referred him

[Ineedmorepatience]

He or she may have a child with Asd or it maybe an interest of theirs.

Not qualified to diagnose but certainly qualified to raise a concern if they are brave enough!

Some parents would react very badly to that suggestion but I guess the audiologist picked up vibes from you that you had concerns and wanted to help.

Good luck

[adrianna22]

The audiologist is in no position to diagnose Autism. The diagnostic process takes a detailed developmental assessment from the parents and the doctor, plus a numerous of tests.

Only a psychologist or a specialist speech therapist including a specialised doctor can diagnose ASD.

Though saying that, audiologists do see a a heck of a lot of kids with ASD.

Your in a great position as your DD. For now, I wouldn't worry about the diagnosis for now, but do get yourself referred to a developmental paediatrician and tell her your worried about ASD . Importantly I think you need to start getting your DD referred to services. You do not need a diagnosis to do this. Also I recommend you to get the books: More than words and It takes two to talk and use these or other approaches to work on your DD for the time being

[Liliuk]

ideally, a diagnosis should be given only after assessment by several professionals including Speech therapist, Occupational therapist, psychologist and/or specialist developmental paediatrician.
Saying this, you should insist on a referral as if that was the case, then you'd want to know (and act) as early as possible.

[deadwitchproject]

Thanks for all the replies.

I mentioned to the Audiologist that I was going to push for a referral once all the medical stuff was out of the way. I'm actually quite happy she felt she could call me as I want to be able to present as much evidence to the community paediatrician when we see him.

I was a bit at the cloak and dagger aspect of her phone call so wondered if she was not allowed/supposed to say anything to me. I don't want to get her in trouble with the Paediatrician but would like to be able to say, another professional has lots of experience of children with ASD and feels the same way I do (and I'm not neurotic!).

My GP has referred us to the community paediatrician now am waiting for the appointment to come through.

[blanklook]

I was a bit hmm at the cloak and dagger aspect of her phone call so wondered if she was not allowed/supposed to say anything to me. I don't want to get her in trouble with the Paediatrician but would like to be able to say, another professional has lots of experience of children with ASD and feels the same way I do (and I'm not neurotic!)

Please, don't say that she said anything, she was not speaking to you about diagnosing ASD in her professional capacity, she was offering you an opinion* equivalent to any other non-professional individual / mum at the school gates / shop assistant etc. You are making it sound as though she may have been proffering a diagnosis, that's not the case and could cause her professional embarrassment.

*That's the way it would be looked at by the professionals who can diagnose. They do tend to jump down your throat express concern that any HCP has offered a diagnosis that is way out of their expertise and job remit.

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

I think she was doing you a favour. She's not supposed to say anything, but she's only human.

She can't officially diagnose but she sees enough children to recognise some of the symptoms and presentations.

She'll also know parents are often told to 'wait and see' when actually early diagnosis and intervention is the absolute best thing to do for the children.

And she's probably picked up on your own thoughts and feelings.

So I would press ahead with the referrals, in the knowledge that another person sees what you see. Although I agree with blank - no need to repeat your conversation to any other HCP.

[deadwitchproject]

Thanks, yes she was doing me a favour and in no way would I want to get her in trouble.

[2tirednot2fight]

I had the opposite, professionals telling me I was wrong about ASD when they had no right to do so. I am not blaming them but would have much preferred what has happened in your case to the self doubt this created in me which led to a delay on MY part to seek the diagnosis my child now has of ASD. Good luck I hope you access what your child needs supported by professionals regardless of diagnosis or not.

[Babieseverywhere]

Our consultant audiologist wrote in her findings that she had 'concerns over social communication difficulties' and though it did upset me, if it helps my DS in the long run, so be it.

If she wrote it in her offical report, then audiologists must be able to give their opinion. ..but not an offical diagnosis.

[2tirednot2fight]

I completely agree with Poltergoose that seems the right way to handle it. My professional said "absolutely not it's nothing like that" she was wrong but it was such early days that I was stung by that and thought I was imagining things especially when another professional (different discipline) also said "children with CP do that you know". They were quite strong statements IMO and were said in a manner that created enough doubt that I didn't pursue a diagnosis for fear of being told the same in a similar manner. An early diagnosis is so important if I could turn back the clock I would trust my instincts more.

[2boysnamedR]

I took my ds to a podiatrist when he was two. She said " I would strongly urge you to ask to see a paediatrician about ds development" and I said to her "should I?" She then then said if he was my son I would go tomorrow. I didn't get what she meant. I asked for my referral. Looking back I'm sure she could see dyspraxia. But it took me four more years to see it. I wish she could have said more like he is hyper mobile and clumsy and weak then maybe it would clicked more. I wouldn't expect her to say I think he has Dcd but I wish she could have said a bit more to point me on the right path.

[Glittery7]

It was an audiologist who made the referral to a community paed. Although she didn't actually mention autism, she did ask questions such as "does she often stand on tiptoes" and was concerned about poor eye contact.

I ended up taking DD for several audiology assessments as she was exactly like your son, really uncooperative and difficult to interact with.

My daughter was finally diagnosed with ASD last year aged 5. It took 3 years.

[Glittery7]

I'll be honest though, when she suggested a community paed referral I wasn't surprised, just really worried and scared.

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

But zzzzz you know how easily a 'wait and see' culture can take hold in an organisation. The CP wouldn't see the ops child because he was too young. Working in that framework I don't blame the audiologist for trying to say the right thing in the wrong way.

[deadwitchproject]

Thanks everyone, a quick update: my DT2 has just had his tonsils removed. When we came back from the hospital there was a letter from the Community Paediatrician stating they weren't going to see him as they didn't have enough information - again!

My GP had stated in the referral letter that my DS had speech and language delay and behaviour problems. I can't believe this wasn't enough to go on. I've now written out a long list of all the issues and his behaviours using the M-CHAT as a guidance and asked the GP to pass this on to the CP.

Can anyone suggest anything that may be useful or I may have forgotten?