Should I tell parents if I think their daughter is autistic?

[ConcernedWorker]

So, I work at a summer camp, and I think a child I look after is autistic. I'm well versed in the presentations, and she seems to have less support needs, but I still think it's important to tell her parents about this and recommend they see a professional for more advice.

The only thing is, I discussed this with my boss, and apparently it's not a good idea. Given that we aren't actually a school, with an actual SEN co-ordinator, just a summer camp, our word holds less weight, and given his experience with this in the past, parents don't take kindly to our concerns.

So far I've done my best to make camp more accessible for the more neurodiverse kids. I give them the option of sitting out our more taxing activities, and try to help them overcome any shyness or issues to help them socialise with the others. We're working on having ear defenders and the like, but it's a bit slow going.

Anyway, my point was if there was anything I could do? I wanted to have a parent's perspective on this so any advice helps. Thanks for reading.

No.

Only if they ask.

No.

How do you know the parents don't already know?

No

How long have you actually known this child, if a matter of days then no. If you've known this child for years as they return to the camp year on year and are familiar with the parents then possibly maybe. Lots of autism traits are perfectly normal child behaviour in a new place and if it's not causing an issue for the child then it's not worth having the conversation.

If you did work in a school then as the class teacher you would have a discussion with the SENCO long before approaching the parents. Your boss is right, parents don't like to be blind sided when they pick up their children and won't expect it from a summer camp. Many parents are ND themselves and see no issues I the traits either.

My DS was 5 and at a forest school. A nice helper said to me, “I don’t know if you care about labels but it might be helpful to you to know that he’s presenting with dyspraxia in a similar way to other kids I work with who’ve been diagnosed with it.”

I didn’t do anything about it right away. I did feel sad as I knew she was right and he already had epilepsy. I found her words helpful and, more importantly, they helped my child.

No. You don't know anything about the child's education needs or anything outside holiday camp.

Was also going to ask this

They don't have to dislose anything to a holiday club if they don't want to

Or they might have suspicions or have started the process

You are not qualified to make a diagnosis of autism this involves a multi disciplinary team if relevant professionals.

A teacher would not make a diagnosis either and would only one part if the team view.

You have little idea if where the parents are with their thinking and acceptance either.

Just no.

No. Absolutely not. It's utterly inappropriate.

I think your boss is right, but I wouldn't have known that a few years ago. You sound great at your job!

No.

You can tell the parent(s) that, for example, their child struggled with something but seemed better after you tried a particular strategy. That way they're informed about what's happened.

You absolutely can't approach them and say that you think their child is autistic and needs an assessment.

Exactly this.

No.

The fact that you would even ask demonstrates a lack of knowledge about the diagnosis pathway and process for neurodivergence. Telling a parent 'I think your child is autistic' would be overstepping massively and a completely unprofessional move.

At the absolute most if there are specific behaviours you've noticed and found effective adjustments for you might mention those SPECIFIC things to her parents (e.g. we noticed little Suzie seems to be uncomfortable joining in group activities that she's not tried before but with some clear explanation of the rules she was happier to get involved').

Your boss is right.

Just adding, I have supported diagnosis, working with parents and with the multi-disciplinary team. It takes months of observations, adaptations and review. Not a few session at a holiday club.

However, as a very young teacher, a parent made a formal complaint about me, for talking to her, at parents evening, about her DD having some signs that were aligned to ASD. She also removed her child from the school.

Also giving ND the option of sitting out of activities is not making it more inclusive, the activities should be adjusted, the rules or equipment introduced beforehand and demonstrated 1:1 without a crowd around watching, so that the ND child is comfortable takin part. Not just the activity introduced and if you don't want to do this sit at the side.

No

No, I wouldn't.

It seems you have an interest in Autism, and certainly mean well, but if this is an area you want to work in the best thing you can do is study for a relevant professional qualification.

Absolutely not! Good god why would you think this is acceptable

When you say you are 'well versed in the presentations', what specific qualifications or experience do you have?

Otherwise it appears that you suggesting this is totally inappropriate.

How on earth would you know it was autism?

Butt out

‘We're working on having ear defenders and the like, but it's a bit slow going.’

Ear defenders are sadly sometimes over used which actually makes kids more sensitive to sound. It’s great you want to help but really just being warm and responsive to the child you have in front of you is ok, you probably don’t need equipment unless the family have mentioned it.
https://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/application/files/4816/2074/7033/Recommendations_for_use_of_Ear_Defenders_Final_draft.pdf