Can Early Years refer for ASD assessment?

[bedelia]

I posted a few weeks ago with concerns about my sons displaying ASD traits, but am now wondering if anyone could offer further advice please?

My youngest DS (3y, 2m) was referred through nursery for Speech and Language, Social and Behavioural assessment from Early Years through his nursery. We hope he might be able to get funding for support for when he moves up to Foundation (and eventually begins school FT). Hopefully this will begin late December/January, though there is a waiting list.

I also went to see out GP, taking with me a list of concerns hoping that she might refer DS to Comm. Paed. Though she agrees that DS has a lot of traits associated with ASD, she is reluctant to refer him as she thinks he is still very young (and might grow out of it??).

Things are slightly improving for DS at nursery, he now talks to staff occasionally and is less stressful during transitions, though at home things are getting steadily worse. DS is well supported now, though I'm concerned about how long these things take and really want to make sure support is in place for him in the future, both at school and at home.

Basically, I'm wondering whether the Early Years assessments could lead on to ASD assessments, or whether I should go back to see a different GP and push for referral?

[Thankgoodnessforcheerios]

If your son has autism he is as likely to grow out if it as that Doctor is to grow out of her ignorance.
I would ring the Early Years Team and ask them. It doesn't have to be done through the G.P.
My son's was done through our health visitor. He needs to be on a waiting list for an MDA, and the sooner the better in my opinion, especially if you think he is going to need extra support at school. Depending on where you are the process of getting a diagnosis can be quite long with the NHS - took us nearly a year.

[dontknowwhat2callmyself]

My Dd was at playgroup (3.4 yrs) when she got referred to the Child Development Centre . I'm pretty certain it was somebody from Early Years who came to assess Dd at playgroup and made the referral.

[bedelia]

Thanks you both for your advice. I've found the Early Years team are based at the child development centre in my town, so hopefully further referrals/assessment can be made if they feel it's required.

Still waiting for any news at all about the referrals though. I really hope to hear something soon as DS is moving up to Foundation stage in January and his "differences" are becoming more and more apparent. To make matters worse, there's been some changes at nursery - a week's relocation while some work was done to the building, plus some major staff changes. DS now has a new key worker whose routines and methods are somewhat different (bit cross as I had no notice whatsoever!), and is understandably acting out a little.

His previous (and much more supportive) key worker will be there when he moves up to foundation, which is a good thing IMO as she was the one to notice his issues and refer him in the first place. I just wish I could hurry the process up.

[Ineedmorepatience]

I would definitely request a referral to the CDC, if the early years team are based there then they should be able to help you get referred. It the referral may have to go to a "panel" so you will need the current setting to put together some observations etc and you should be able to to.

I would get on the phone and ask some questions today.

Good luck