Preparing for Assessment

[monkeypie]

Hi all, i have finally been given dates for DS to be assessed for ASD. It should have been april but we have been given them for May instead
The first one is May 1st so 8 weeks from today. I had a very interesting conversation with DS SALT yesterday when she came to our home. She asked me how i felt about the possibility of DS being ASD and i said i thought it was very likely imo. It was like she had been given a green light to then talk honestly with me about what she really thinks too, which is that she agrees

SALT knows the pead we saw who first mentioned Autism to me and she more or less said that they had been talking and both agreed about DS. The SALT who will be at the assessment is someone completely knew and our SALT said that was good because if/when she agreed also it would look good for us getting a DX and then onto a statement. Of course i am not expecting for everything to go easy and smooth, i'd be a fool to do that especially after reading stories on here. It was just a nice change to get some positive feedback for a change. She also reassured me that we are in a good area for funding for children DS age (3.2yrs)

Anyway i was hoping any of you who have been through the assessment process could you give me some tips on what questions to ask, i will have a list prepared for when i finally get to meet the whole team of specialists and i have been told that i will be given all of their names and numbers incase i need to ask something later on.

I am a very organised person and doing lists is my thing that keeps me sane especially when it's something this important. I would really appreciate any tips/advice you could pass on. I just don't want to sit there like a spaced out blob when they ask, 'so do you have any questions for us?' and after being given the news i think i will be given it is very likely i will if i'm not prepared.

[coppertop]

I think I would be asking questions along the lines of "What happens next?" and "What help can ds expect?"

• Will ds be offered any particular therapies or groups?

• How often will you be offered appointments to see any relevant professionals?

• Will someone be attending IEP/IDP meetings at pre-school/nursery to help the staff set targets? (if relevant)

• Will someone be advising nursery/pre-school staff about what they can be doing to help? (if relevant)

My mind's gone blank. I'll post again later if I can think of anything else.

[monkeypie]

Thanks coppertop that's exactly the kind of stuff i want. Btw what is IEP/IDP?

The reason i need to be so ready is i could be told on the last day of assessment so won't have time then.

[coppertop]

IEP is an Individual Education Plan. Basically they set small targets for your ds and how they plan to go about achieving them, eg "John will sit on the carpet for one minute at carpet time. Mrs X will sit with him during carpet time and give praise when John sits." Obviously your ds may have different targets that are more relevant to his needs.

An IDP is an Individual Development Plan. It's virtually identical to an IEP but is for children who aren't yet at pre-school etc.

[monkeypie]

Ah ok well ds starts nursery in 5 weeks so it will be an IEP and btw if Mrs X get my ds to sit on the carpet for 1 min she will be bloody good!