To ask for a different HV?

[ILikeMyChickenFried]

Back in February I contacted the HV after nursery spoke to me about some concerns re my DC/ possible ASD.

A few weeks later she came round with some development questionnaires, met DC and said she would speak to nursery.

She stressed that a reversal before he starts reception in September is very important as the process becomes a lot more complicated once the children are in school.

Since then she's cancelled all 3 appointments with me, 15 minutes before she was supposed to arrive. She hasn't spoken to nursery and we are rapidly running out of time for the deadline she had mentioned.

I called 2 days ago to discuss what was going to happen next as nothing has happened since February but she wasn't there. She hasn't returned my call.

Stressed a referral not a reversal.

Surely it is more difficult to diagnose such a young child?

Do you need a HV for this? Surely a GP could make the same referral? I'd see the GP and explain why.

It is, but the process takes a long time anyway, and the sooner you get started the better

Yes, nursery have said that they probably won't be a diagnosis for a while.

I think I will book in with the GP. Nursery suggested the HV was the best contact point but I feel like my time is being wasted at the moment

I was in the same position as you last year. Also very panicked about getting dc referred before school as felt like it was important to have things 'in place' before they started, and things were getting held up.
I was very frustrated but was advised to book a meeting with the reception teacher who was wonderful and really reassured me that not much would be different in reception with a referral. It's very much a relaxed play environment at that age and if your school is decent they'll be willing to try things that they think might help make their life easier regardless of a referral (eg: sensory things to hold when doing story time to limit stimming etc). I know a lot may depend on the school but perhaps speak to them first before you panic about getting a referral before school x