AIBU to worry about the surge in school-suggested ASD diagnoses?

[cremebrulait]

Fellow mums, I'm worried about a trend I've noticed in our schools. It seems some are pushing parents to seek ASD diagnoses to secure funding for support. While I absolutely believe children with autism deserve all the help they can get, I'm concerned about the following:

1. The high rate of suggested ASD diagnoses in some classes (much higher than average)
2. Schools advising parents to get diagnoses to continue enrollment
3. Long NHS waiting times leading to private evaluations

I worry this might lead to:

• Misallocation of resources
• Inappropriate interventions for children
• Overlooking other potential issues
• Psychological impact on misdiagnosed children

Shouldn't there be equality in support for children with other learning or developmental issues too? Like ADHD, emotional and behavioural disorders, sensory impairments, physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, health conditions, sensory processing disorder, specific learning differences, or twice-exceptional children?

AIBU to think this system is flawed? Has anyone else experienced this? Am I overreacting, or is this a genuine concern? What are your thoughts on how we can ensure all children get the right support without resorting to potentially inaccurate diagnoses?

(I'll post more thoughts on misdiagnosis in comments.)

Utter bollocks. Doesn't fit with any 'fellow mums' experience. Ignore and move on.

The OP has also missed the real scandal which is the complete lack of provision for neurodivergent children for whom school is entirely unsuitable. Huge numbers of parents unable to work AND having to fund the entire cost of their children's education. It's a lifestyle choice apparently.

And let's not forget that neurodiversity is often genetic, these are parents who themselves are often neurodivergent, many having gone through life undiagnosed and having suffered greatly with no support whatsoever...and so it continues. And because our expectations are so low, and our hands so full, we don't make the demands we should, we just carry on doing our best while others pass the time pointing fingers and insulting us. I try to demonstrate to my children that the world has space for everyone which is hard when I don't believe it's true.

Its madness, in our area SaLT come in once a term if lucky and then give a list of courses for the staff to attend. I am happy to attend any training needed to help me support the young people I work with. The biggest barrier is the fact that SaLT don’t fund these courses so schools need to pay for the staff to attend the course as well as paying for a days cover. Sadly schools then have to restrict training to the most essential, meanwhile the children carry on missing out.

Are you from Barcelona, OP?

I've only read your initial post but ABA isn't appropriate for anyone. In my opinion (mother of an autistic child).

I've just fought for a year against a flawed system to secure an EHCP for him as his diagnosis at aged 6 didn't result in any extra support. I think you are misinformed or not yet informed enough on how the SEN (lack of) support system in local authorities works.

SaLT is ridiculous. Schools don't have lots of staff hanging about ready to complete training and then support children based on a quick Zoom meeting and a pile of old fashioned sheets of paper suggesting activities that take hours.

Can we please STOP using the phrase "seeking a diagnosis"? What you seek is an assessment. It totally trivialises the often long and traumatic experience.

I can be a sceptic of early diagnosis, especially in respect of kids fresh out of pre school when panicking about compliance (terrible word/concept many randomly apply to small children and the elderly) in Reception leads to informal misinformed suggestions of ODD.

However, I’m only a sceptic because our DC initially attended a private school where they began the weeding out of anyone who didn’t fit their narrow model child profile as soon as the kids got there. A few truly gifted kids were subjected to the most bizarre treatment, unsporty children didn’t fare much better.

But the OP is wrong about schools in general and I’d defend state school teaching and SEND services all the way. A good state school will always be better for kids with minor difficulties too

if the la want to refuse they’ll refuse whatever. We waited till diagnosis as senco said we’d be turned down without ( things were very bad and ds was getting regular fixed term exclusions as school couldn’t manage him) and we got turned down for assessment and the la gave the reason for refusal that now he had a diagnosis they wanted to see if things would improve (not sure how a piece of paper magically changes anything). We won appeal but if I’d have applied before diagnosis we’d have been further on in the appeals process sooner

For me the worry is the lack of Ed Psych’s available to do the full testing required for proper diagnosis and formulating treatment plans. The schools don’t have the same level of expertise.
Next comes the lack of suitable educational settings.

Schools and Ed psychs don’t do the diagnosis.

And there is no treatment .

@Poznan65 the OP mentioned ADHD as well sorry. Yes and eventually it is the psychiatrist that gets involved with ADHD treatment plans.
But the Ed Psych do a very thorough assessment which is insightful.

It’s a Community Paediatrician who diagnoses ASD where I live. For someone that seems invested so much and ‘concerned’ you don’t seem clued up on the facts….

Do you realise to get anywhere near seeing one of these children’s developmental doctors, there has to be significant needs to start with. A teacher having a ‘suspicion’ that a child may have ASD isn’t enough to warrant an appointment. The referral process is stringent as there aren’t enough developmental paediatricians, so a young child who exhibits milder symptoms is likely to not get seen.

This child will get older and struggle through without then correct support and when it’s more evident that they are autistic they will finally get the diagnosis.

These specialists doctors have far more knowledge than a random on the internet. You needn’t be ‘concerned’ that too many children are being diagnosed, as these highly trained doctors know far more than you and I!

Lastly, the process can take years and they don’t see a child for an hour and say yes they’re autistic. Rest assured, they will know if trauma is at play or not so no need to ‘worry’ they might not be able to distinguish!

why are you concerned about handing wrong ASD diagnoses? Do you think private assessments are akin to buying a diagnosis without a proper assessments? your posts doesn't make sense.

Also, what do you suggest parents do if the waiting list are 5-6 years long on the NHS and the child is falling apart? Watch and let it happen?

Do you have children with disabilities? Do you actually know what it is like battling the system or are you just talking out of your arse?

My guess is talking out of their arse!!

My question was rhetorical tbh. so much bollock in one post. I doubt OP will be back.

It was a team of pediatric specialists lead by a consultant pediatrician who diagnosed my ds with ADHD and a separate pediatric team that gave him the ASD diagnosis and took 3+ years of assessments , yet it doesn't stop idiots claiming that anyone can get a diagnosis at the drop of a hat

Agreed 👍

I know, people are clueless yet for some reason feel like they know it all. The fake concern, yeah I’m sure this thread was started due to genuine concerns. As you say, it takes a long time to get a diagnosis and often involves several professionals.

Respectfully suggest that people stop feeding the hairy-handed one.. .

Really?

Schools can refer in our area but they are triaged by the pathway team of professionals. If accepted children are added to the waiting list. Schools (along with parents, paediatrician etc) provide supporting evidence and it's a long process to even get on the waiting list. Children aren't automatically accepted and there isn't a waste of resources - triage will filter out cases which won't meet criteria

An ASD diagnosis doesn't come with any extra funding.

Yes even if you are highly qualified you clearly know nothing about reality. If you do have an autistic child then you are clearly living in an alternative universe to the rest of us