Early Help Assessment

[TripleRocks]

First time posting on SN.

I saw the GP regarding my DD who's nearly age 6 to request an assessment for possible ASD. We are struggling to get her referral accepted. This is despite a letter from a private clinical psychologist highlighting the various traits she presents with and suggesting further investigation.

Instead, they have diverted us back to the school SENCO and school nursing team and suggested an Early Help Assessment. The school nurse and private doctor have both advised this is a hoop we probably need to jump through before they will reconsider an assessment on the NHS.

Has anyone any experience of Early Help? We have started our assessment with the school nurse and have our first 'team around the family' meeting on Wednesday and not sure what to expect.

I had no idea it would be this hard to even get on the waiting list...

[Meloncoley2]

Your local health trust should have an autism assessment pathway, you may be able to find it on their website. I think it is common these days to divert everything through Early Help, it can be as helpful as the people you come across- it is a multi disciplinary process, but if it is being used as a hoop to jump through it is frustrating.