ASD assessment: Wait for CAMHS or pay private?

[RollinInTheDeep]

DD is 10 and has a sibling diagnosed with ASD. DD is quite different to her sister and I’ve always assumed is NT with the occasional doubt.

Having spent the last few weeks solidly with her (I’ve taken time off work for the summer holidays) , not only are my nerves shot but I am very much considering requesting an assessment for her.

The wait time for CAMHS in our area is very long. I’ve contacted a private assessment centre and they could do the assessment from start to finish in around 8 weeks. They have a small waiting list.

DH is not on board with the costs as he is too unsure if DD warrants an assessment. I am also borderline but I think it would be worth it to know.

We are a low income family but could stretch to saving and paying private. DD starts secondary next year.

Would it be a waste of money if she comes back as undiagnosed? (Obviously that would be a good thing).

WWYD?

I would also be concerned from your description that they would not diagnose. I am not saying there isn't an issue but I think diagnosing someone without obvious impairment is going to be difficult. I don't have great confidence that they would or could pick up the nuances that you can see.

@cansu

I would also be concerned from your description that they would not diagnose. I am not saying there isn't an issue but I think diagnosing someone without obvious impairment is going to be difficult. I don't have great confidence that they would or could pick up the nuances that you can see.

I don’t think the girl is autistic 😂 I think she has ADD! Not being able to read people is one of the hallmarks of autism. There is no autistic people who is good at it. Girls ‘mask’ but they’re simply following social rules. I am silly in public and do stupid things, also sporty, sociable and confident like OP’s DD. Also easily upset and don’t always get jokes 😂 But I can read people very well, I’ve always been able to get them to do what I want and can predict their behaviours very very accurately. It’s the exact opposite of autism! I also like chaos which again is the opposite of autism’s perceived rigidity. My DP is autistic so you can imagine our household 😂😂😂

@cansu

I would also be concerned from your description that they would not diagnose. I am not saying there isn't an issue but I think diagnosing someone without obvious impairment is going to be difficult. I don't have great confidence that they would or could pick up the nuances that you can see.

Also this OP - one of the diagnostic criteria is that it needs to cause a significant degree of impairment. you need to prove that this is the case. I highly doubt that you’ll get a diagnosis with the things you listed and again impulsive behaviour isn’t an autistic trait