AIBU to worry about the surge in school-suggested ASD diagnoses?

@cremebrulait the funding thing is in the same vein as people saying "parents push for ASD assessments to get benefits". There's certain things that are stated as fact by people who generally know very little about it.

Schools can't push for anything. They might imply, suggest, advise , but they can't diagnose or refer without parents' permission ,support and consent. They can't even state "Jimmy has autism".Once the referral is made all they do is fill in some forms with concerns and how they manifest in the classroom environment. Then that gets sent off (alongside parent questionnaire)and then it is decided if further assessment is needed.

There's a bigger issue with schools refusing to help or saying they don't see any issues and parents fighting tooth and nail to actually get their kid seen by someone,anyone. If there was all this free money being thrown around why would schools say "nope, no thanks"?

There's an even bigger issue with assessments being sent back with "significant level of need" AND "we won't be taking any further action". Or refusals to issue EHCP's and having to go to tribunals and appeals.

Yes the system is fucked , but that's not because Miss Random in Randomville thinks Jimmy might have autism. It's fucked because good provision costs money and LA use any loophole available to them to avoid using that money. Extra funding my arse.

I think if you had posted asking how assessment/support was done in different areas, you would have got a very different response.

The post you wrote claimed that schools were disingenuously pushing for diagnoses as a way of obtaining funds. That’s what put people’s backs up.

https://suffolksendiass.co.uk/education/sen-funding/schools-funding/

Op I don't think you understand, element 1 funding is the funding all schools get, element 2 funding is funding schools have to apply for the EHCP's. There is no requirement for a diagnosis for this funding anymore (I believe there was under the original statement system but that was many years ago). The school just has to evidence need as the funding can cover many different needs not just educational, possibly medical, adaptions for physical needs/disabilities ect. Element 3 is a higher need probably for special school provision.

@cremebrulait you do know schools have to cover the first 6k of that funding ,right?

It’s a two year wait to get an autism assessment in my area. So two years of not having his needs met

None of that funding is based on having a diagnosis.

@cremebrulait but an ASD diagnosis on its own won't bring in extra funding to a school, only if a child has significant needs and they apply for an EHCP (or in my day it was a statement). This has no relationship to what the actual diagnosis is so it could be ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraix, metal health needs, medical needs a combination of the above or something else entirely.

There is therefore no advantage in the school encouraging any specific type of diagnosis, just the correct one for the child. I believe the reason why the system was changed from the old system in the first place.

@cremebrulait

Are you somehow offended that it's been suggested your child may be autistic instead of "gifted" like some of his relatives?

OP, are you concerned that your child is not getting the support you’d like, due to too many other children being diagnosed with conditions?

Who the hell are you to 'be concerned' about this?

I've not read the whole thread but as it has taken years for my blatantly obviously autistic son to be diagnosed and get support that he needs yes I think you're being unreasonable!

I worry that this thread will put off parents and teachers from seeking support. My advice would always be to seek support and diagnoses if you feel your child might need it and benefit from it. The waiting list is long due to funding and need not because parents and teachers are stupidly (sadly implied on this thread) referring for no good reason.

But you still haven't explained what you mean by an ASD diagnosis gets the school more support? In what way? What support?

@cremebrulait and I have experience of plenty of parents that refuse to accept that anything AT ALL is going on with their child. Ironically, the vast majority of them came back crying when for different reasons they couldn't manage anymore and asking for help. Then frustrated it takes so long and their kid is headed to secondary or whatever and needs it NOW!Well.. we did mention it in y2.

Should I start a thread staring that I'm concerned so many parents refuse to accept their children's needs? Or accept that there is a variation in circumstances and people and presentations and not generalise and pretend it's a wide spread phenomenon?

I've taught Year 2 for many years and also refer quite a few children every year. It becomes very apparent throughout the end of Year 1 and into Year 2 that additional needs are present.

This has been my experience for over 20 years as the curriculum expectations and independence levels increase and teachers observe before speaking to parents.

If I have concerns and they match what parents see, I will always encourage parents to seek support and outside agencies.

If issues aren't highlighted early then children can be in secondary school when support and understanding is achieved.

"more likely to be diagnosed" is NOT synonymous with "overdiagnosed".

You know your title, your OP and subsequent posts are suggestive of this being a widespread phenomenon, and didn't make it at all clear that you (apparently) meant the ONE school that you have personal experience with. You are being deliberately obtuse because you were either looking to cause froth, or weren't quite expecting the pushback you've had from responders.

edit punctuation to confirm quoted phrase

What do you mean by 'get more support'? Maybe we are misunderstanding you. Could you explain a bit more?