Highly likely DS has ASD, what to do about nursery?

[Heytheredelilah1987]

Me again! Sorry - a more specific q now... my son has been assessed and observed and we have been informed it's highly likely he has ASD but we need a formal dx and have been referred to the paediatrician by the GP. He's 22 months and due to start nursery come Jan. My gut is he cannot go right now; not until we have dx and have some extra support there for him.

Others have said he should go and it will help with the dx and be good for him...

If he doesn't have a dx would they be willing to put extra support in place for him? Or would he be able to attend a SEN nursery?

Thanks.

[Sirzy]

It could take ages to get a formal diagnosis. In theory it shouldn't make any difference anyway because nursery should be working to meet his needs not those of a diagnosis which can mean anything really.

Ds is in year 2 now and still not formally diagnosed but his needs were well met throughout nursery and into school.

[Fairylea]

Talk to the nursery. If they're good they should be able to apply for funding for more support for your child. In the meantime apply for an ehcp yourself (and dla, use the cerebra dla guide on the cerebra website).

My ds is 4 and has been attending nursery 2 days a week since he was 2 prior to diagnosis and they were excellent at securing 1 to 1 support for him.

[Heytheredelilah1987]

Thanks ladies. I wasn't aware of that. I'll speak with the management at his sisters nursery and see what they will offer. They're a fab wee nursery and I'd love him to be with his sister. What echp sorry? I'm new to all this

[Heytheredelilah1987]

Why would we get dla too? Sorry I literally only found out about this two days ago... my mind is everywhere

[Fairylea]

An ehcp is the new version of a statement. If you look on the Ipsea website it will tell you everything you need to know.

If you go on the national autistic website and look under the benefits section at dla you'll see it's not means tested and children who have additional needs qualify for it. You don't need a diagnosis. We were awarded high rate for ds at 2.8 years old with only a referral to a paedatrician. It is the gateway to other support too (as the website explains) so make sure you apply for it.

[Fairylea]

www.autism.org.uk/about/benefits-care/benefits/children.aspx

[Fairylea]

www.ipsea.org.uk/what-you-need-to-know/ehc-plans

[Heytheredelilah1987]

That's fab thanks fairylea