to ask how common you think parental refusal/denial of ASD/SN is? ...

[Bebobib]

...and could it been seen as a form of neglect? Only asking because I have suspected for quite some time now a child under my radar has not been assessed due to parents refusal and or denial or SN.

My DS didn't even realise he was being assessed

Ds loves going to assessments, lots of people talk to him about things he loves what's not to like? Last week he drew a lovely map for the camhs nurse to get her home from work

My DS can't talk so he didn't find assessment stressful. He didn't have to do anything or even engage.

My older boy was going to hospitals about six times a year for six years. He's never asked why or wondered if anything is wrong. He was discharged this month and when the Dr asked him if was pleased he wouldn't need to go anymore, he replied that he hadn't been listening to her anyway.

Ds doesn't have a clue he has been assessed. He doesn't really have the awareness anyway to be honest, I'm sure he just thinks "mums waffling on to someone again"! Most of the observations have been through play anyway and in speech group (which he absolutely hates so we had to stop going and now been referred to play therapist instead).

I wish mine had no idea they were being assessed as for them it was an extremely stressful experience. I guess the difference is they were older and no academic difficulties so they could understand every word that was said. And let's face listening to your parent giving a character assassination of you is not an enriching experience. I wish I could say it had been worth it but for ds2 it has not been. He is out of school. He has received no support from CAMHS or other agencies because he is too anxious to engage. Even his diagnosis is dubious as it was based on parent and teacher reports rather than direct observation because he was too stressed to engage. We have had a slightly better journey for ds1 but even for him support has come from the education system rather than as a result of diagnosis.

Ds2 didn't realise he was being assessed. I was asking him about it the other day and the only thing he remembered about the NHS assessment was the awful game he had to play (Socially Speaking). Of his private assessment, he can remember winning mini punch as he spotted a transporter full of minis, and seeing a beige fiat 500.

Round here support is very hard to come by, even with a diagnosis. Even though the official line is that support is needs led, it obviously isn't.

Thankfully locally parent are advised not to take their child to the initial appointment so that a history can be given wighout worrying about what is overhead. Actually I am lucky enough to have a whole hours appointment this week with camhs to do the next part of the history stuff while Ds is at school!

I think posters are missing the point. The parents who are avoiding assessment/diagnosis are enabling/disabling their child through denial. No where have I stated: ''MNetters are denying their possibly ASD child help, all I asked is: how common is refusal/denial of ASD (a condition which includes a multitude of disorders which can overlap one another) and could it possibly be classed as neglect?''

I came back to say, after some very well thought out posts that perhaps the parents in question are in fact heedless. However, it appears they are avoiding diagnosis and anything which brings their child's condition under the spotlight. Is that a wise thing to do? Knowing this child, I do not think it is.

By definition, people who are in denial are not aware that they are in denial.

Or maybe there are things going on in the background that you aren't aware of...

Bebobib in what context do you know this child?

Ds and dd have diagnoses. Ds had his at 2 and a half and dd at just 2. Tbh the diagnoses have been useful to me as I have read and researched an awful lot, I'm not so sure they have been vital or even useful with regards to schools.
My experience has been that the good schools supported them based on the difficulties they displayed rather than the stereotypes that the diagnosis invariably suggests and so as such the diagnosis wasn't necessary.
The poor schools either didn't have the knowledge to spot anything that didn't fit their rigid and limited understanding of ASD and then didn't have the knowledge, experience or even desire to offer even basic level support in spite of them having fully funded statements of SEN.
I can understand why parents find assessment difficult and I can even understand why parents might avoid it particularly when in many cases assessment doesn't bring with it any meaningful support from school, health or social care.

Ds and dd have diagnoses. Ds had his at 2 and a half and dd at just 2. Tbh the diagnoses have been useful to me as I have read and researched an awful lot, I'm not so sure they have been vital or even useful with regards to schools.
My experience has been that the good schools supported them based on the difficulties they displayed rather than the stereotypes that the diagnosis invariably suggests and so as such the diagnosis wasn't necessary.
The poor schools either didn't have the knowledge to spot anything that didn't fit their rigid and limited understanding of ASD and then didn't have the knowledge, experience or even desire to offer even basic level support in spite of them having fully funded statements of SEN.
I can understand why parents find assessment difficult and I can even understand why parents might avoid it particularly when in many cases assessment doesn't bring with it any meaningful support from school, health or social care.