Capping the number of children diagnosed with autism

[roundtable]

Did I just hear that correctly on the news? The couple of sentences that they gave about it before moving on.

I'm hoping I've misunderstood but wtf?

That is not reasonable.

So once we've limited the amount of people with autism, what group of people do they move onto next?

Did I hear it correctly and are they being completely unreasonable? Without a doubt

The diagnosis does make a difference. There is a wealth of information, a tribe to identify with, a name for the complications a person with ASD has to face and a reason to open a dialogue with the school about how to best support your child. I just don't see that delegating diagnosis to GPs would change anything for the better as far as post diagnostic resources and support is concerned.

What next, capping the number of people diagnosed with cancer?

I think this is the combination of a number of factors

Certainly one is that we do not value health services enough as a society to pay for the level of funding that would be needed for the services that you want.

Are you going to prioritise health when you vote on June 8th? If you make a choice that implies less spend on health, then that is what is going to happen.

My ds2 was diagnosed in Corner House which is in Tooting which is near Merton. He is profoundly deaf and that masked his autism. He wasn't diagnosed till he was 13 and we would still be struggling now if he hadn't been!!

When I read the thread title I thought that specialists may be over diagnosing autism over more suitable illnesses, similar to what happened for a bit with the bipolar disorder (manic depression at the time). Aka it was a lazy diagnosis rather than the most accurate one and prevented accessing the most suitable treatment.

This sounds like they want to make it nearly impossible to access any treatment and then they'll probably close the services as there's no demand .

I just don't understand the point in why they are doing this. Any sane person can see the future repercussions of this. If they are left undiagnosed and no support is given these poor children will grow up with such horrendous mental health problems.

Given that there isn't much support for that either these people at worst become just another drug/homeless statistic. Then society blames them for their own problems, says it's all their own fault how they've ended up that way because I'm alright jack.

Just horrible!

It feels like the suggestion is to gauge the public reaction.

Once one trust starts, it won't stop there.

It is not "they" doing this. It is "us" and some of "you" not wanting to pay the much higher taxes that would be needed to double or triple health expenditure, to allow for increased access to diagnosis and various levels of support.

I'm a result of undiagnosed autism (aspergers). I won't go into details but I've cost the NHS a shit tonne of money that could definitely have been prevented. This just makes me feel like I am useless.

A diagnosis doesn't get you DLA, but it helps your case when you are writing 15 pages of answers to questions about how your child doesn't cope in various situations (currently waiting to see if ds will get DLA).
Capping diagnoses is obviously ridiculous but given the long waiting lists it's already happening - when we were offered an inconvenient appt for ds's assessment last July, we were told they had no idea if they would have funding for any appts in Sept or indeed ever again, so to move hell and come to the appt we had.

I think better diagnosis of ASD, bipolar and other issues will result in fewer alcoholics, drug addicts and suicide attempts over the next few decades - but investing to save isn't the Government's way atm.

I think its really interesting how some posters say a diagnosis would have helped them or their parents so much e.g. BrieandChill's post on page 2 of thread, and others. That it could help people understand themselves and their actions more, and make a life that is more suited to their personality.

My DS has been diagnosed with ASD twice! He was assessed at the age of 6 and was given a diagnosis although the team who assessed him weren't sure if it was something else but thought that a 'label' would give him the help he needed at school as, although he was very good academically, he was struggling to participate in the school day. The diagnosis lead to him getting a Statement and 25 hrs a week 1:1 support all through school. On transition to Secondary school it was suggested that he was re-assessed. His diagnosis of HF ASD was confirmed.

Even with 1:1 support, his school life was far from plain sailing but he did for the most part, manage to stay in school - with the occasional exclusion.

But, the result of his diagnosis and support has meant that he passed 11 GCSE's and 3 A levels, is holding down a part time job in retail and is off to University in September. If he had not been assessed and diagnosed, who knows where he would be now - but I'm pretty certain it would not be a good place. We have never needed to claim disability benefits for him and I am hopeful that he will be able to live and independent and fulfilling life in future without the need to rely on benefits. What a very different picture that could have been if this short sighted policy had been in place when he was small!

It will not save money in the long term - definitely a false economy.

Degust You are not useless.
The utter cruelty and short sightedness of the Tories is astounding.
They are willing to condemn a generation to poor education and years of unattended health issues

Please everyone use your democratic right - VOTE THESE FUCKERS OUT

BrieAndChilli, your excellent post on page 2 challenges this proposal perfectly.

I would love to know how even the most hard-nosed Treasury bean counter, restricted by the harsh reality of Austerity Measures economics, could possibly argue against your analysis.
Especially as yours are RL, not hypothetical, human beings.

To sit face-to-face with you, look you in the eye and truly believe that their utter lack of logic will save money/ make a positive improvement to the society we all live in???

Just so callous and disrespectful that individuals' lives and wellbeing are only regarded by some of those in power for what they 'cost' a more and more depleted (in real terms) NHS budget.

I hope everyone horrified at the NHS being so overstretched that it considers mad ideas like this isn't going to vote Conservative.

I understand that autism is a spectrum with some it has a dramatic effect on their life and it can have profound consequences...at the other end of the spectrum - the mild end - you would almost not notice an individual has it.
I read the story that they are not going to diagnosis at the mild end saving the resources for those that have major challenges at the severe end.. if that is true that makes sense. The number of children with 'autism' has increased dramatically over the years and yes some barely appear any different that children without autism..

^ "The Mild End" Arf, this isn't fucking Nando's - th
^ "The Mild End" Arf - This isn't Nando's. WTAF

I had to say that twice.

Compared to the general population, the associated premature death and illness rate for autism is indeed significantly higher. This is due to a range of physical, mental health and social factors, and has effects across the whole autistic spectrum, not just the clinically severe end.

To suggest that diagnosis services be withdrawn is truly appalling and demonstrates the level of ignorance by those who ought to know better.

I had to rewind the BBC segment, I was so shocked.

This would be disastrous. I am already worried sick about our new cohort joining our school. There are four autistic children out of fifty children. That is not taking into account any other needs (of which there are plenty). With less diagnoses, there will be less extra support (not that there is much already). Children will be expected to cope in huge mainstream classes with 1 adult to 30 children. It is appalling.

Dear those with authority to transform lives by redirecting funds away from less worthy areas (I'm sure we can all think of one or two) and towards the NHS,

Whilst you are cocking around playing power games, Degustibus and many others are now left feeling devalued and judged.

Congratulations.

user148 also makes an important point.

You did bigmouth sorry, my post was in response to those who think being pushy is enough to get a dx.
As you know you can be as pushy AF and it won't get you anywhere if your child is not autistic, is hard enough when they are!

User1489etc.

I have children that can appear "normal" this is not because they are only 'mildly' autistic. The High Functioning label pertains to a lack of learning disabilities and language development issues. They have no difficulties accessing the curriculum, but autism is about social communication so if you look at their non existent social lives and difficulty relating to their peers. Then it is clear they are struggling. They will chat happily and for hours about pokemon, or roblox a small range of topics related to their special interests. They have little ability to chat with ease about other people's interests. They are anxious about how people feel about them because they don't get they nuances of conversation and facial expressions and it is often hard to gauge how they feel about things as they don't always understand their own emotions and they can appear blank faced and monotone.

User, your not being able to tell someone has it doesn't mean that THEY are not severely effected by it.