What to expect - referral for ADHD/ASD

[Throgglesprocket]

Hi, we've finally jumped through the necessary hoops and got a referral to the community paediatrician re a possible ADHD/ASD diagnosis. Having never been through anything like this can anyone let me know what to expect - i.e. more referrals to more specialists?

Feeling completely out of my depth!

[sunshine99789]

When you say 'hoops' what have you done so far? x

[Throgglesprocket]

We've gone through the initial school stage and filled in the "Getting to know me" form, which then got sent to the GP who then referred it to the HV team who came round for us to fill in some more forms so the case could then go to panel to see if it was worthy of it being referred to the community paediatrician.

The school have set up a graduated response (IEP I think) and we have had meetings with teacher and SENCO about DD.

[sunshine99789]

Are you currently under CAMHS? im not sure if its the same all over, but the paediatrician referred to CAMHS (first one got declined after initial appointment) then after seeing Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Neurosurgeon, Family support worker and school, they all agreed she should be under CAMHS and we got re-referred and accepted (after I had completed the load of rubbish that is the Triple P course) we have reports from all above mentioned professionals and we are currently awaiting speech and lamguage assessmemt. We have also now had a referral done to ADOS. Feels like a never ending road!

[Throgglesprocket]

No, not under CAMHS, so I guess that may be the next step (if it doesn't get declined!).

We've been referred before through for other stuff from the community paediatrician - orthoptics/endochronology/dermatology/audiology/paediatric dietician but then got dropped off the radar, so really annoyed that we need to get re-referred back in any case.

[FrayedHem]

Here the community paediatirican will decide whether the child should be referred straight for a multi-disciplinary assessment at the children's centre as diagnosis here is done by the paediatric services rather than the mental health service, but this does vary across regions.

Has your child been seen by a SALT recently? Again in my area the SALT and the community paediatrican work closely together, so for DS1 and DS3 they jointly decided he should be referred on. It may be the community paediatrician says to come back in 6 months to review, but if you want an assessment done I would try and push back against that as there is usually a further wait for the actual assessment.

[AVeryBigHouse]

Hi, we've going through the same thing but are a little further on than you.

I raised concerns with school and the gp in Feb this year about my dd. She was initially referred to CAHMS but her case was discussed at a SPOA meeting where they decided that a referral to the community peadiatrican was the best course of action.

Her appointment with the pead was today. He took a brief history, asked lots of questions and went through the report from school. He examined my dd (height, weight, ears, heart) and chatted about school and friends. He then said that there was enough evidence to refer her for diagnostic testing (ados) which will take place in the next few months.

It's really daunting isn't it?

[Throgglesprocket]

It is really surreal. From everything plodding on as normal (whatever that is?!) To being suddenly plunged into a world of healthcare professionals, mountains of paperwork and acronyms I've never heard of before!

Is there a glossary somewhere that explains all these acronyms which I don't know? (Can you tell this is all new?)

[AVeryBigHouse]

I'm a teacher so some of the terminology and acronyms are familiar to me. I can imagine how daunting it is for someone who's new to all this though!

SPOA = single point of access. From what I gather, it's a meeting where various agencies talk about their caseloads and discuss/decide where the child is best signposted to.

[Throgglesprocket]

Thanks!

Had a pleasant couple of hours at A&E as DD had bumped head... Due to ADHD? Door closed on her, so handle went into her head...... Too busy doing something else to notice the door!