First appointment with peadiatrician this week, what to expect?

[Mammabear31]

I have posted this on the SEN board, but haven't had any replies.

Our 6 year old has his first general assessment this week with a paediatrician, following a referral for concerns raised by the school and us. Possibly aspergers/autism and ADHD, maybe dyspraxia (the point being - we don't know!).

What should we expect? We've been told the appointment is around an hour but that's all. I'd like to be prepared, please could anyone give some advice on what they may ask us or how they will assess him?

This is all so new to us and apart from agreeing with the referral the school have been less than useful.

Thanks in advance

It will most likely be a history of him, then asking questions about what he was like from birth till now. Take some notes if you like to make sure everything gets said. My mind went blank and I couldn't remember how my child was :( anyway good luck!

I went with my friend and her 3 year old when he was being investigated for ASD. The Paed asked my friend some questions...basic things about the birth and her son's health. Then she moved on to some games and toys with my friend's son. She gave him things to play with and watched him...it was very relaxed...she also gave him a few instructions and watched whilst he ran up and down.

Thank you for your replies. I've got copies of all the forms we had to complete when they accepted the referral, including the ones completed by his school. We're going to read through them all the night before.

Another quick question though - we've told our DS that we're going to talk to some people about the things he is struggling with to determine if he needs some more support or help at school. He's accepted this quite happily but do we have to talk about everything in front of him? We will be talking about alot of things he isn't aware of and I am concerned about how it will make him feel

We explained it in the same way. He was given a choice of staying or not and he chose to stay. We did take music and headphones with us incase he wanted them, he didn't and coped with it all well.

The assessment process also varies a lot depending on where you live. I am in the Midlands and our assessment was all done on one day and lasted about 3 and a half hours.

@FlyingGoose we are in the East of England. The letter states the appointment will be an hour long. I wouldn't mind it being 3.5 hours if it meant we got it all done and covered!

Thanks for the advice re: headphones. I may take his tablet with us to keep him occupied.

I'm so incredibly nervous.

It's horrible isn't it!? I barely slept in the run up. Good luck I hope it goes well (iyswim!)

Good luck mammabear.

Mamabear31 I have no advice about the appointment, but if you're in Suffolk, do bear in mind that their SEND services are in absolute crisis. It's likely to be a long and difficult road, although things are supposedly improving.

This isn't meant to dishearten you, it's just something to be mindful of throughout the process. I hope your appointment goes well, and you get the answers, and help, you and your DS need.

@mitebiteatnite Not in Suffolk, thankfully. I say East of England but we are just over the Cambs border into South Lincs. We were referred back in March and sent the forms back in April, so we have just got an appointment within the 18 week pathway.

@Boscoismyspiritanimal thank you.

@FlyingGoose thank you - I am struggling with it but DH is being amazing.

Good luck @Mammabear31 We're going through similar with my 6 year old DS (suspected ADHD), and also have our initial assessment coming up in a couple of weeks - it's so nerve wracking! Hope all goes well for you and your DS.